June 13, 2025Women’s Wellness

7 Best Home Remedies for Period Pain Relief

Table of Contents

During menstruation, feeling pain around your abdomen, thighs, and lower back is usually common. While some women experience only mild discomfort, others may face unbearable cramps that interfere with their daily activities. If you're wondering how to stop period pain immediately at home, it’s important to first understand what causes it. Menstrual pain happens due to contractions in your uterus triggered by hormonal changes. These contractions help shed the uterine lining, leading to lower abdominal pain that may also radiate to the lower back, groin, and upper thighs.

Many women experience not just physical discomfort during menstruation, but also symptoms like emotional imbalances, nausea, and bloating, which can be challenging to manage. To cope with these, many rely on over-the-counter medications for pain relief from dysmenorrhea—a condition marked by painful periods and cramping, typically linked to a Vata (Vayu) imbalance in Ayurveda. However, period pain can sometimes signal deeper underlying conditions such as uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or endometriosis. While painkillers may offer quick and temporary relief, they often come with side effects and may mask the root cause. Addressing menstrual discomfort holistically by identifying and treating the underlying issue can lead to more sustainable and balanced menstrual health.

If you’re looking for safer, more natural ways to get relief from period pain, there’s good news. Women for generations have relied on home remedies for period pain to soothe cramps without medication. These include using a hot water bag, gentle yoga stretches, herbal teas, and following an anti-inflammatory diet. These time-tested methods offer effective period pain relief without the risks associated with synthetic drugs.

So the next time you’re in pain, skip the pill and try these natural solutions that truly support your body’s rhythm.

What causes menstrual cramps?

Acharya Charaka has mentioned that none of gynecological diseases can arise without affliction of aggravated Vata. It is the main responsible factor, though other Doshas (biological humor or energies) only present as Anubandh, i.e., associated factor to it. So pain is produced due to vitiation of only Vata Dosha or in combination with other biological humor or energies.

The pain is the result of aggravation of Vata - Apanavayu, Margavarodha (obstruction of body channels), or Dhatukshaya (depletion of body tissues). This has been termed as dysmenorrhea or Kastaartava in Ayurveda.

Home remedies for period pain to get instant relief, without any side effects

Shatavari

This Ayurvedic Rasayana is also known as a “woman-friendly” herb. This potent herb not only corrects hormonal balance in women to make the cycle regular but also inhibits the activity of mediators responsible for menstrual cramps.

Take half- one tsf tsp of Maharishi Ayurveda Shatavar Churna. This needs to be taken twice a day with milk or lukewarm water.

Maharishi Ayurveda Restone

Maharishi Ayurveda Restone is a highly effective Ayurvedic medicine for period pain. It’s a synergistic combination of Ashoka, Shatavari, Peepal, Safed Chandan, and other time-tested herbs that help women manage menstrual cramps and support their menstrual health. This powerful Ayurvedic formulation is available in syrup and tablet form. Regular use of this potent Rasayana helps in regulating period flow, thereby ensuring a pain-free menstrual cycle every month.

Take 2 tab twice a day after meals. These are one of the best period pain relief tablets in India
Take syrup 2 tsf twice a day after meals. The same quantity of syrup can be mixed in a glass of water to consume

Asafoeteda (Hing)

This cooking ingredient is a wonderful ingredient that promotes digestion. It is also a boon to women who deal with cramps every month. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an amazing Ayurvedic medicine for period pain. Hing is also deepan and usna which helps in pacifying Vata and thus helps curb the pain. Hing water is one of the best drinks that help with period cramps.

Take a glass of warm water and add 1/2 tsp of Hing powder to it
Take this drink twice a day to get instant relief

Ajwain (Carom Seeds)

Used as a flavoring spice and medicine for managing indigestion, carom seeds are always present in our kitchens. But this cooking ingredient can also be used as a handy home remedy for menstrual cramps. This ingredient promotes muscle relaxation, thereby benefiting the entire system.

Prepare Ajwain Tea

Take half teaspoon of Ajwain and add them to two cups of water and boil the mixture
Strain this drink when the water reduces to half
Add honey if desired
Take this Ajwain tea at least 2-3 times a day

Add Ajwain to Meals

-Use Ajwain while preparing dal and sambhar

- Before making chapatis, add some seeds to the dough

Ginger

This herb has been used for its warming and pain-relieving properties. Ginger is enriched with certain compounds that help protect against inflammation, by preventing the production of prostaglandins, a class of chemicals that contribute to triggering muscle contractions during periods. As the production and function of prostaglandins in the body are linked with the onset of menstrual cramps, taking ginger is highly recommended to manage the condition.

To get the benefit of ginger, it can be included in your diet or taken in the form of tea.

Add 2 cups of water to a pan and keep it boiling
Add some raw ginger or ginger powder to it
Boil and then strain the water
Drink this tea at least twice a day

Castor Oil

Sesame Oil

It is king of the Oils, it helps in pacifying Vata , anti- spasmodic in action. when applied externally, it detoxifies, reduces tumors , swelling, pain and menstrual cramp.. 1 tsf of luke warm oil should be taken with half tsf of ginger before sleep this helps in clearing the channels ( srotas) and eventually reducing period cramps
Take 1 tsp of castor oil in your palm
Massage your lower abdomen, back and thighs using this oil
Gently stroke down for best results

Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)

While fenugreek seeds are added to curries and often used in Tadka as a tempering ingredient, these offer the easiest way to beat period pain.

Soak 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds in a glass of water
Leave this water overnight
Stain this drink the following day to enjoy methi-infused water

Apart from the home remedies for period pain mentioned above, it is extremely important for women to follow Rajaswala Charya—a set of lifestyle guidelines specifically designed to support women’s health and well-being during menstruation. This includes staying well-hydrated and eating a light, cleansing yet nourishing diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Iron-rich foods like raisins are beneficial, while caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, sugar, and refined flour should be avoided. In addition, giving yourself some rest and doing breathing exercises and meditation helps you rejuvenate and improve your health.

Conclusion

Ayurveda has gifted you with several remedies that can be incorporated into your lifestyle regimen to support menstrual health and get relief from period pain and cramps. You can use the ingredients and Ayurvedic formulation from the list mentioned above as these are completely safe and help in effectively managing severe menstrual pain due to uterine contractions.

Embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda for a pain-free period. Explore our Women’s Wellness range for safe, natural remedies to ease cramps and support hormonal balance. Start your healing journey today.

FAQs

1. How to stop period pain immediately at home?

Typically, delayed periods do not cause cramping, but when they are delayed, cramping can sometimes occur. Apply a hot-water bag, gently massage castor oil on the lower abdomen, take 1 teaspoon of ghee in 1 cup of hot milk, or sip cinnamon tea (1 cup of boiled water with one-fourth teaspoon of cinnamon and some grated ginger); these small steps can provide relief. However, if period cramping or pain is due to an underlying cause such as fibroids or endometriosis, seek medical advice.

2. What causes severe menstrual cramps or unbearable period pain?

In Ayurveda no gynaecological problem arise without Vitiation of Vata dosha- there is a subtype of Vata known as Apana Vata responsible for menstrual flow, elimination of stool , urine and semen. If this gets aggravated due than it causes menstrual pain.

3. What food helps period pain?

Cold, raw foods aggravate Vata and may worsen cramps, while fresh, warm foods help ease menstrual flow by nourishing the body and preventing channel stagnation. Vata-pacifying spices like ajwain, hing, cinnamon, and ginger relieve cramps, with ajwain aiding uterine contractions. Recommended foods (Pathya) include sattu, old rice, wheat (phulka), barley with ghee, green leafy vegetables, light meats, warm milk, butter, and medicated water. Beneficial fruits include pomegranate, raisins, figs, amalaki, along with onion, garlic, and honey.

4. How much pain is normal for a period?

Mild to moderate menstrual pain is usually dull, crampy, or achy and felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or lower back. It typically begins a day or two before bleeding and lasts for 2–3 days. This type of pain is generally manageable with rest, a hot water bag, or mild pain relief and does not significantly interfere with daily activities like work, sleep, or movement.

5. Do periods get worse with age?

Not necessarily—it depends on the underlying cause of the cramps. In conditions like adenomyosis, the pain can worsen over time if the size or severity of the condition increases, regardless of age.

7. What lifestyle is recommended - to keep in mind/omit?

Vishrama (body rest), Diva Nidra (daytime sleep), Tambul Bhakshan (consumption of betel leaf), Swedana (fomentation), Langhana (intermittent fasting), avoid mental stress and anxiety and keep mind positive.

8. What all Yoga are beneficial for Period pain?

These include Halasana, Sarvangasana, Bhujangasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana, Shavasana, Pranayama like Nadishodhana. These asanas enhance the blood circulation to reproductive organs and helps ease period pain.