In my ongoing quest to offer help for painful periods, I am learning about ayurveda.   Experts say that ayurveda can help with painful periods by taking aloe vera gel with one pinch of black pepper. The idea is to take a tablespoon of this mixture everyday the week before your period.  Continue taking this mixture during your period when you have menstrual cramps. Sounds easy, almost too easy to work.

I am definitely going to try this experiment during my next menstrual cycle.   Aloe vera is widely available and I know they sell it at my local health food store. As it turns out, aloe vera is beneficial in many ways that even go beyond painful periods.  It has been used to treat a variety of ailments since the beginning of history. After all, think about how widely available aloe vera is!

The aloe vera liquid contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids that are great for humans. It helps with inflammation which is a huge benefit. As we know, infammation causes pain and is also responsible for disease and aging.  I know many people take aloe vera to help with digestive problems such as colitis and irritable bowel symptom. It also is a commonly used treatment for sunburn and to rapidly heal wounds. Aloe vera also assists with liver function. It is amazing everything that this plant has to offer. No wonder the ancient Egyptians called it “The Plant of Immortality.”

Once you begin contemplating all that aloe vera does to benefit us, it is hard to believe that we all aren’t taking it every day. I know it is not exactly delicious, but on the other hand it is largely tasteless. And if aloe vera assists with menstrual cramps all the better!  It is recommended to take the aloe vera on an empty stomach to most greatly benefit.