Compress
Warm ginger compress
Heat on the belly is the oldest answer to period pain there is, and it works because it releases the cramp that causes the pain. A ginger compress does what a hot water bottle does, with something extra: the ginger travels through the skin and increases blood flow where it hurts.
It is a somewhat messy business, and that is part of the charm. Put a towel underneath, settle in, and let it lie.
Lie down while you do it. The whole point is that you have nowhere to be for the next twenty minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 large piece fresh ginger, about 5 cm, grated
- 500 ml hot water
- A clean cotton cloth
- A towel to lay over
Equipment
- Grater
- Bowl
- Clean cloth
- Towel
- Optionally a hot water bottle to lay on top
Method
- 1
Grate fresh ginger, place in a cloth, dip briefly in warm water and lay the compress on the belly for 15-20 minutes.
Dosage
Apply the compress to your belly or lower back for 15-20 minutes, 1-2 times daily during your period.
Lay a dry towel over it, and the heat lasts longer. A hot water bottle on top extends it further.
Always test the temperature on the inside of your wrist first. It should be pleasantly warm, not scalding.
Shelf life
Make it fresh each time. The grated ginger cannot be kept.
Safety
Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist, every time. That is how compresses cause burns: because it feels pleasant on your hands and far too hot on your belly.
Do not apply to skin that is broken, has a rash, or is irritated.
If you have reduced sensation in the skin, from diabetes or neuropathy for instance, do not use it. You will not feel if it is too hot, and that is exactly where burns happen.
Ginger can irritate sensitive skin. Try a small area first, and rinse off at once if it burns or itches.
Not during pregnancy without speaking to your midwife.
If the skin turns red and stays red after the compress comes off, it was too hot or on too long.
And most important: period pain that makes you vomit, faint or call in sick every month is not normal. It can be endometriosis, and it belongs with a doctor.
How the herbs work
Ginger contains gingerols, which increase blood flow in the area they are laid on. More blood means more oxygen to the muscle that is contracting, and a muscle with oxygen cramps less.
The heat alone already does a large part of the work. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the womb, and closes down the nerve pathways carrying pain, simply by occupying them with something else.
Ginger also dampens prostaglandins, the inflammatory messengers that make the womb contract in the first place. It is the same mechanism as in the ginger-cinnamon tea, only from the outside instead of within.
The content here is general knowledge and folk herbal lore, not medical treatment. In illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding or alongside medication: always talk to your doctor first.