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When we carry the heaviness of our cycles in our bellies and in our hearts, it can be difficult to see the bright side. It feels like an inconvenience, when the world becomes a little more heavy, a little more overwhelming, and, of course, a little more painful. But what if we could shift our perspectives to a more positive view of something we experience so often throughout our lives? 

Did you know that many Native American tribes viewed the menstrual cycle as a sacred time? They believed that people were more connected spiritually during this time, and even that they had intuitive powers. This was a time of rest and celebration as (traditionally) women gathered in a special lodge during the heaviest few days of their periods, leaving their families to tend to their usual duties. There they would tell stories, work on creative projects, and take time to rest. 

This ancient custom certainly feels like what our bodies need during this time. It can be so hard to focus and stay productive when your energy levels are lower and your body is aching. There’s a great degree of shame in our culture associated with having your period; enough so that menstrual products are designed to be discreet and we sometimes feel embarrassed when we have to go purchase them. We avoid talking about our cycles and bear the discomfort alone. Having visible blood show through your clothes may be one of the most mortifying things menstruating people experience in their lifetimes. 

But what a sad view of a miraculous natural process! How beautiful that our bodies can remain strong and vital during bloodshed, and what a show of strength that we are able to repeat this cycle with every moon. Blood is the fluid of life, of vitality! Its crimson color is associated with passion, strength, fire, emotions. If an ancient legend told of a hero that bled from his arm for a week every month without dying, we would deem it a miracle and profess him as holy. And yet when it comes from our own bodies it is somehow seen as unclean or shameful? Our bodies are sacred vessels, our curves like the amphorae that held riches so long ago. Just look at any ancient Goddess figure to be reminded of the beauty of the Sacred Feminine and the fire of creation you carry in your womb.

Often, the emotional discomfort of a physical limitation can be shifted with a small change in perspective. Think back to the last sick day you took. No, I don’t mean the one where you spent all day frantically working from bed on your laptop, I mean the one where you surrendered to yourself and really allowed yourself to rest. Do you recall a feeling of relief when you finally made that decision?

That feeling of surrender is what we’ll be exploring. And by surrendering to and honoring our natural processes, we can change an inconvenient and painful experience into a sacred ritual celebrating the miracle of our bodies and our capacity to create - not just literally, but symbolically too. Moodiness and irritability can be re-framed as being gloriously sensitive. We have less tolerance for chaos or frustration because we are just that much more open to emotion; instead, it is best to find solitude and peace and relax into it in a way that is loving and nourishing. 

Some view this time as a time of purification - a time of prayer and gentle reflection. Taking in negativity and holding onto burdens can make this process more difficult. A little space is needed. While we may not be able to immediately shift our entire culture to a more loving view of uterus-having humans’ natural cycles (try telling your boss that you’ll be retreating to a moon lodge for 5 days every month and leaving your children to your mother-in-law), there are subtle things we can do to both shift our societal view of this cycle and be kind to ourselves as well. Here are a few ideas: 

Communication: 

Try being more communicative with those you love and trust. Say “I’m feeling tired tonight because I’m on my period, so I think I’ll take some quiet time to read” instead of joining your sister for a night on the town. Release the stigma of shame associated with something half the population experiences and be a little more honest about it instead of constantly hiding it away. You don’t need to go into details or broadcast your bodily functions to the world at large; just be a bit more open with the ones you love and trust. That way, you can set more realistic expectations for yourself and lose the “just work through it” attitude that often causes more pain. 

Rest and Alone Time:

Take some time for deep rest, even if it’s just an hour in the evening after work. If you are able to separate yourself from the world a little bit, do that. Go on a quiet walk alone, or seclude yourself to a less-used part of the house to read a book or journal. Give yourself more sleep than usual. I found a drastic shift in my mood swings when I went from “trying to get through it all anyways” to making a conscious choice to go be alone in the woods as soon as I realized I was PMSing. This was such a loving act for me, and was beneficial as well to those I shared a space with. When I can be honest with my loved ones and say “I’m feeling extra sensitive today so I need more alone time,” they know not to ask too much of me and we are all more comfortable. 

Embrace the Red: 

Wear something red, from comfortable pajamas to a garnet necklace. This can be a subtle way to communicate to loved ones that you’ll need some extra gentleness, and it can be a way for you to celebrate your own cycle. You may even consider having something red to wear only when you’re on your menses, as a sort of special celebration of the vitality of your body. My favorite is extra-silky red pajamas. 

Express Your Creativity: 

This is a time of celebrating creation, not just the creation of new life. During this time you can give birth to ideas, songs, stories, artwork. Is there a project you’ve been dreaming about working on? Take some time to explore that. 

Take a Bath: 

Immersing yourself in warm water can help relax muscles, release tension, and provide a chance for self-reflection. These benefits are even greater when the bathwater contains soothing minerals and herbs. Be sure to dump in plenty of epsom, magnesium, and/or sea salts for their relaxing benefits! This is also a great time to indulge in some meditation or visualization. Close your eyes and picture the tension in your body. Assign it a color. Imagine that color slowly seeping out of your skin and into the bathwater, until your body is cleared of it and the water is tinted in your mind’s eye. Then, as you drain the tub, release that stress and tension with it. 

Give Your Body Touch: 

If there is any time during the month to book a massage, this is it. Gentle loving touch can be so soothing and healing. It helps us stay connected to our bodies and distracted from discomfort. If you are unable to get a massage, you can always give yourself a little loving touch. Try gently massaging your abdomen in a clockwise direction to encourage digestion and relax tension. If it’s too tender, focus your energy on hands or feet, since they are particularly sensitive and filled with trigger points. 

Drink Some Tea: 

Hot liquids can be particularly soothing right now, especially ones with added herbal benefits. It’s also important to drink more liquids than usual to keep your body hydrated and happy. My favorite tea for moon time is thimbleberry leaf. I’m not sure why this particular plant is so soothing and helpful during this time, I just know that I am always drawn to and comforted by it. See more suggestions and a recipe below. 

Get Your Minerals: 

As we shed our reserves, it’s important to replenish our bodies to keep them healthy. Foods rich in iron and magnesium are important right now. Leafy greens like spinach and nettle as well as most nuts are good options. Blackstrap molasses is also a good source of easily-digested iron. Red meat is also full of iron, if that is part of your diet. 

I was chatting with a woman once who casually mentioned that she’d eaten her “period steak” a few days before. When I inquired further, she explained that once a month her husband cooks her a delicious steak to nourish her during her cycle, and that it has become their own near-monthly tradition that they both look forward to. It warmed my heart to hear about their open communication and his casual and generous attentiveness to his wife’s bodily needs, plus a subtle but meaningful way to celebrate this time instead of fearing it. 

Find some Heat: 

Warmth is very soothing to the tension caused by our cycles, and can be incorporated in a number of ways. My favorite source of heat is an electric hot pack that I can place on my belly or lower back. Hot baths and tea, already mentioned, are a great way as well. If you have a car with heated seats, those can be pretty therapeutic if you have to be out and about running errands! You can also try introducing warming herbs and spices into your diet. Ginger is particularly soothing.

Embrace your Witchiness: 

Ancient Romans thought menstruating women had dark powers of witchcraft. According to Pliny the Elder they could stop hailstorms, whirlwinds and lightning, and kill crops. He believed they could also kill bees, dim mirrors, and blunt weapons just by looking at them. Why not embrace that and don some dark red lipstick to feel like the powerful witch-goddess (or sorcerer) you are? 

RECIPES: 

Here are some recipes you may find helpful during your moon time. Make extra batches and hide them away for a gift to yourself during your next cycle, or put together some little care packages to share with your uterus-having siblings and friends! Keep in mind that some of these may not be appropriate if you are trying to become pregnant, and that it’s always a good idea to discuss new herbal treatments with your doctor. 

There is a particular family of plants that can be really helpful during this time: Rosaceae. This family includes plants like raspberries, roses, hawthorn, thimbleberries, and apples. Raspberry leaf is known as “the woman’s herb” because it is so helpful in soothing menstrual discomforts and evening out cycles. (I prefer to think of it as “the moon time herb” for the sake of inclusivity.)  It has even been used to help people through labor and childbirth! Thimbleberry leaf is the single most useful thing I reach for during my own cycle. Many plants in this family are associated with the heart and blood, from rose’s association with love to hawthorn’s association with the heart. 

Notes on sourcing: readers local to Boise, Idaho can find most of the ingredients at our awesome local herbal collective Vervain ( https://www.thevervaincollective.com ), and another great place to get herbs and botanicals is Mountain Rose Herbs https://mountainroseherbs.com (just in case you don’t have a cabinet full of dried plants like I do!)

Moon-Time Tea

These are some of my favorite herbs to support myself during and before menses. I hope they help you too! I’ve listed the amounts I use in my own blend, but feel free to customize them to what feels best to you and what you have available. 

Thimbleberry Leaf - (1 cup dried) Since this is not a very well-known herb, there are not many references for its use. My own anecdotal experience is that it is tremendously soothing for both menstrual cramps and the mood swings associated with my period. Every summer, I gather healthy leaves and then ferment them to make a rich and flavorful brew with the complexity of a fine black tea and none of the caffeine. 

Hawthorn - (1 c. dried berries) is an herb of the heart, thought to promote love, courage, and creativity! It also eliminates waste, improves digestion, and promotes blood circulation. 

Wild rose - (2 c. dried petals) carries an energy of love, and is particularly representative of self-love. Adds a lovely floral scent to any blend

Rosehips - (½ c. dried) rich in Vitamin C and other anti-inflammatories, can help prevent fluid retention and bloating, ease uterine cramps, and keep the blood and lymphatic systems moving, preventing breast disorders or fluid build-up

Ginger - (½ cup candied) soothing and warming, ginger is great for encouraging digestion and soothing upset stomachs

Raspberry leaf - (1 ½ c. dried) Known as “the woman’s herb,” raspberry leaf contains the alkaloid fragarine which addresses many PMS symptoms such as cramping, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. It also tones and tightens muscles in the pelvic region, lessening cramps and pain. You can start drinking raspberry leaf tea a week or so before your period starts and then throughout the bleeding for the most benefits. 

Molasses and Chocolate Pumpkin Seeds:

One ounce of pumpkin seeds can serve up to 75% of your daily magnesium. This helps your mood and prevents as much water retention. It can also relax blood vessels, addressing headaches and cramps. Dark chocolate is another (delicious!) source of magnesium and just a little goes a long way in addressing cravings. Molasses adds a natural sweet flavor and lots of iron to the mix. Make these to curb cravings and nourish your body instead of reaching for something that might make you feel worse. 

Ingredients: 

2 Tbs. butter

1/3 c. dark blackstrap

1 Tbs. water

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1/2 c. sesame seeds

2 1/2 c. pumpkin seeds, divided 

1/2 c. dried rose hips, seeds removed (optional)

1/3 c. very dark chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the molasses, water, and salt Stir until well combined. 

2. Add half of the pumpkin seeds to the mixture and cook until the syrup is thick and coats nuts, stirring frequently. (Should take about 5 minutes). Stir in the remaining pumpkin seeds, rose hips, and sesame seeds. 

3. Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until the seeds are lightly toasted, about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the mixture to make sure it doesn’t burn. 

4. Let cool, then melt the dark chocolate and drizzle over the top. Let harden, then enjoy!

You can also substitute nuts in place of some or all of the pumpkin seeds. Walnuts would be great too! 

Cayenne- Rose Cramp Balm:

The heating effects of cayenne are soothing on inflamed and tense muscles. St. John’s Wort encourages muscle relaxation, while rose essential oil gives this balm a soothing scent. 
Ingredients:

1/2 c. St. John’s Wort- infused oil (I like sweet almond.)

1 Tbs. cayenne powder

1/2 oz beeswax

20 drops rose essential oil

Directions: 

1. Place the oil and cayenne into a double boiler over low heat. Heat until it is warm, then turn off the heat and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Heat again gently and turn off - repeat this process for a couple of hours. (You can also infuse it steadily in a crock pot set on “warm,” but keep an eye on it to make sure the pepper doesn’t scorch.)

2. Strain the mixture through a coffee filter to remove the pepper.

3. Heat the beeswax until it is melted, then stir it into the infused oil. Add the essential oils and mix well, then pour into small tins to set.

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