Have you tried using natural remedies for endometriosis? They can help your body manage endo pain, heavy periods and other symptoms. This article looks at a list of 10 effective remedies that make a big difference.
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition related to menstruation which happens when tissue that is in the uterine lining is found in other areas of the body such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvis and bowels, etc.
Its symptoms include severe pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, incontinence, night sweats, severe PMS and fatigue. This disease affects about 10-15% of women of child bearing age.
Though endometriosis is very frustrating condition to have, it doesn’t have to take over your life. You can cope with it a whole lot better using natural remedies. Take a look at 10 effective natural remedies for endometriosis below:
10 Natural Remedies for Endometriosis
1. Foods to Eat
Your diet is one of the best ways you can correct hormonal imbalance and fight inflammation – two of the possible causes of endometriosis. By consuming anti-inflammatory and hormone balancing foods, you can help keep endometriosis in check.
Some of the best foods to eat for endometriosis include:
- Salmon
- Walnuts
- Leafy greens
- Berries
- Sweet potatoes
Read more:
- Top 9 Foods to Eat when you Have Endometriosis
- Top 3 Juicing Recipes You Should Try for Endometriosis
2. Foods to Avoid
While adding nutritious food to your diet, it’s important to also try restricting certain foods from your diet.
Limit foods such as
- Soy
- High-fat dairy products
- High-fat processed meats
- Refined white sugar
These foods amp up inflammation in the body and also disrupt hormones by altering estrogen levels, causing them to become high. And high estrogen contributes to endometriosis.
Read more: Top 10 Foods to Avoid with Endometriosis
3. Hello to Supplements
When living with endo, natural supplements are a great tool to help you continue live your life while managing symptoms. Most of these supplements target inflammation, curb endometrial tissue growth as well as purge excess estrogen from the body.
Some of the best natural supplements for endometriosis include:
Read more:
4. Drink Herbal Tea!
Bloating, pain and PMS are just some of the symptoms that a healing cup of tea can do. Herbal teas are one of the best natural remedies for endometriosis.
Here is a list of teas that have anti-inflammatory action, balance hormones, offer pain relief and fight bloat:
Read more:
5. Essential Oils Help a Ton
Another one of the best natural remedies for endometriosis is essential oils. They’re mostly used for quick pain relief, but they also help beat depression, balance hormones and relax your body.
Some of the best essential oils for endometriosis include:
You can mix a few drops of essential oil into a carrier oil (such as jojoba oil, almond oil and coconut oil, among others). As a rule of thumb, for adults, the standard dilution is adding about 2-3 drops of essential oil for every tsp of carrier oil. Use this mixture as a massage oil on your abdomen or add it to bath water.
Another way to benefit from essential oils for endometriosis is through diffusion. Place 6 drops of any of the essential oils to a high-quality diffuser and diffuse for 5-10 minutes.
Note: When it comes to essential oils, dilute them always and make sure to use carefully and sparingly as they are very concentrated. Essential oils are for external use only.
6. Use Castor Oil Packs
Anecdotal evidence shows how awesome castor oil packs are for endometriosis sufferers. Castor oil is a powerful remedy for removing stagnation and detoxifying the reproductive system by removing old blood.
Using castor oil packs can leave you pain-free and with overall healthy blood circulation in the reproductive system.
How to do a castor oil pack: Soak a cotton flannel with castor oil, then place it on your pelvic region for 1-2 hours, twice a week. Make sure you are lying on a flat surface. Wear an old shirt so you don’t stain your clothes.
On top of the flannel, you can choose to place a hot water bottle so the heat can help the oil penetrate better. If you’re planning on leaving the castor oil pack overnight, then tie it around your pelvis and sleep over a towel to protect your sheets from oil stains.
You can do a castor oil pack every day but consult your doctor first especially if you have severe endometriosis. Do not use during menstruation, pregnancy or illness.
7. Get a Hot Water Bottle/Heating Pad
Heat is your friend when it comes to battling endometriosis pain.
It’s wise to get a heating pad or hot water bottle to use when you suffer from menstrual cramps or pelvic pain related to endometriosis.
Placing a hot water bottle or heating pad on your pelvic region helps relax the muscles there, which reduces pain and cramping.
8. Soak in a Warm Bath
Just like a hot water bottle or essential oils, warm baths also offer fast pain relief from endometriosis.
Relax in a hot tub to soothe cramping muscles and calm endometriosis pain. You can also throw in 2 handfuls of Epsom salts for a more relaxing bath.
9. Regular Exercise
You probably know this already, but exercise also helps to naturally lessen endometriosis symptoms.
Excess weight gain due to high estrogen or medication use can throw your symptoms out of whack. Combine a healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods with regular exercise – which can be 20 minutes of working out hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat every day.
10. Try Soothing Pelvic Massages
If you are experiencing pelvic pain without having your period, pelvic massages can help.
On your pelvic area, apply an oil blend such as 1-2 tsp of jojoba oil mixed with 6-12 drops of lavender essential oil. Use your fingertips to gently rub your pelvic area in a circular motion. This relaxes the pelvic muscles and lessens cramps.
After the massage, you can apply a hot water bottle on top of your pelvis for a few minutes.
Are there any other natural remedies for endometriosis that have changed your life? Please share them below.
Thanks for this wonderful article. i’ll try these remedies. But, i am super confused about certain ingredients because being blood type A, sweet potatoes are to be restricted and soy is to be taken liberally.
Hi Nelly, the blood type diet was debunked. There’s no evidence that blood type diets contribute to better health at all. Read more here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23697707/