Herbs for "the period before your period" not only address the physical symptoms, and the underlying hormonal imbalance, but comfort the emotional upset as well. For myself, I drink herbal teas to address the cramps and swollen joints, and water weight gain. Herbal diuretic teas made with buchu, dandelion, or corn silk gently help rid the body of excess water, and help to flush out toxins.

Using Aromatherapy

Use essential oil therapy in massage and aroma lamps to address the moodiness that often accompanies PMS. Uplifting scents that have estrogenic properties seem to work on the mind and body. Try abodominal massages with clary sage, geranium or chamomile, or use these aromatic oils in diffusors. It is important to "treat" yourself with your favorite oils and aromas when emotions are on edge.

Herbs Used for PMS

Black Cohosh * Buchu * Chaste Tree * Dandelion * Dong Quai * Evening Primrose * Motherwort * Nettle * St. John's Wort *

Black Cohosh For: PMS, stress
Profile	Black Cohosh helps to relieve the stress and nervous tension that accompany a woman's menses. Black cohosh offsets a decline in estrogen by providing powerful plant compounds called phytoestrogens that mimic the hormone's effects. These phytoestrogens bind to hormone receptors in the uterus, breast, and other parts of the body. As a result, black cohosh is reported to lessen hot flashes, vaginal dryness, headaches, dizziness, depressed mood, and other hormone-related symptoms in menopause and PMS.

Buchu For: Urinary tract,diuretic
Profile	Over-the-counter premenstrual diuretics ( such as Fluidex or Odrinil) contain buchu as an active ingredient. The diosphenol in buchu helps kill bacteria, and the diuretic action helps to flush out the urinary tract. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Chamomile For: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Profile	Traditional herbal medicine in England used chamomile as one of the five "opening" herbs for the treatment of irregular menstruation. Chamomile contains spiroether, a very strong antispasmodic agent that relaxes aching, tense muscles and alleviates premenstrual pain. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Chaste Tree For: Balance hormones
Profile	Research shows that vitex works primarily on the pituitary gland to stabilize and balance the hormonal fluctuations that women experience every month. Useful in PMS, infertility and menopausal problems James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Clary Sage oil For: Cramping, painful period
Profile	Clary Sage oil's antispasmodic properties relieve pain and cramping. Use a clary sage blend to gently massage the abdomen.

Dandelion leaf For: Bloating, PMS, breast tenderness
Profile	Dandelion leaf is highly effective for menstrual bloating, PMS, and the breast tenderness associated with water retention Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

Dong Quai For: PMS - premenstrual syndrome
Profile	Menopause-related problems, menstrual problems, migraine, ovarian cysts, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). One of dong quai's best-known uses is that of a regulator for the female reproductive system. Some of its compounds stimulate the uterus, while others relax the uterus. The compounds that stimulate the uterus are water-soluble and are absorbed into the body from teas or capsules containing freeze-dried herb. The compounds that relax the uterus have a very high boiling point, are soluble in alcohol, and are provided by tinctures. There is general agreement among herb experts that this herb helps stop cramping and migraine attacks of PMS, and eases the pain of ovarian cysts. There is less agreement over whether it stops hot flashes Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Geranium Essential Oil For: Menopause, PMS
Profile	Geranium is often recommended for hormonal conditions such as menopause and PMS. Used in the past for deficiency of the adrenal glands, it is now considered a stimulant for the liver and pancreas. Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Geranium oil For: PMS, breast tenderness
Profile	When applied to breasts before and during menstruation, geranium can reduce the pain and swelling associated with PMS. Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Motherwort For: PMS
Profile	The amphoteric qualities of motherwort make it both a sedative and stimulant herb for menstrual stress, tension, water retention, and PMS. Rosemary Gladstar, Herbal Healing for Women (1993)

St. John's wort oil For: PMS, breast tenderness
Profile	St. John's wort oil, gently stroked onto aching breasts, penetrates the nerve endings and relieves pain. Susun Weed, New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way (2002)

Stinging Nettle For: Water retention, PMS
Profile	Helps reduce water retention and soothes PMS symptoms.

Tribulus Terrestris For: Hormone balance, PMS
Profile	The hormone balancing effects of Bulgarian Tribulus Terrestris for women makes this herb suitable for premenstrual syndrome and menopausal syndrome. . . (),

PMS Information

• Menopause :
  Herbs containing or acting like estrogen may provide some of the benefits of estrogen in relieving menopausal symptoms.
• Pregnancy :
  The herbs used for pregnancy are the same herbs that have been used by midwives for centuries.
• Women's Tonics :
  A healthy, functioning liver is an important part of hormone production and hormonal balance is an important factor in PMS, menopause, regulating menses, and maintaining a healthy libido.
• Dysmenorrhea :
  A painful period can range from a dull ache to a violent cramp. When we are in a fragile emotional state, menstrual pain can be even more severe.
• Menorrhagia :
  Heavy menstrual bleeding, clotting or irregular bleeding are come under the heading of menorrhagia.
• Osteoporosis :
  Although osteoporosis can affect both men and women, it is more prevalent in women, especially women who have gone through menopause and have lower levels of bone protecting estrogen in their bodies.
• Amenorrhea :
  Herbs that bring on menstrual flow when there is delayed menstruation --for whatever reason--are known as emmenagogues.
• Candida/Yeast Infection :
  Women may be more susceptible to vaginal yeast infections if they are pregnant or have diabetes. Candidiasis is an infection caused by species of Candida fungi, especially Candida albicans.
• Childbirth :
  These herbs can be used in the last few days of pregnancy to help open the womb and ensure an easier childbirth.