Menstrual health: An Herbal Tea Approach

Menstruation, commonly known as a period, involves regular vaginal bleeding as part of a woman's monthly reproductive cycle. Many women experience discomfort during this time, often referred to as painful periods or dysmenorrhea. The most common symptom is cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which may also be accompanied by back pain, nausea, headaches, or diarrhoea. This type of pain is different from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which includes symptoms like bloating, mood changes, fatigue, and weight gain, typically occurring a week or two before menstruation begins. There are two main types of dysmenorrhea—primary and secondary—each with distinct causes. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most frequent form and isn't linked to any underlying medical issue. It is usually caused by an excess of prostaglandins, natural chemicals produced by the uterus. These substances cause the uterine muscles to contract, leading to cramps. The pain usually begins a day or two before menstruation  and  may last for  a few days, though it can continue longer for some women.

Symptoms

• Menstrual crampptrs usually refers to a dull
• Throbbing
• Cramping pain in the lower abdomen
• Just above the pelvic bone.

Other Symptoms May Include:

• Pain in the lower back and thighs
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Sweating, Faintness and Dizziness
• Constipation
• Bloating and Headaches.

Herbal Tea

Herbal tea, commonly referred to as a tisane, is a drink made by steeping different parts of medicinal plants—such as leaves, flowers, seeds, or roots—in hot water. Unlike conventional teas that come from  the Camellia sinensis  plant, herbal teas are naturally free from caffeine and are often consumed for their health benefits. Traditionally, they have played a significant role in various healing systems like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and other cultural remedies, where they have been used to alleviate issues such as indigestion, colds, stress, and inflammation. Varieties like chamomile, peppermint, ginger, and hibiscus are especially popular due to their  unique therapeutic effects, which stem from active compounds like polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils. With rising interest in natural health  products, herbal teas are increasingly studied for their role in promoting wellness and preventing disease. Herbal  teas are valued  for their  health-promoting  properties, which can vary depending on the herbs used. Here are some common health benefits:

1. Antioxidant Properties: Most herbal  teas contain antioxidants like flavonoids, which combat free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
2. Digestive Support: Ingredients such as ginger, peppermint, and fennel can promote healthy digestion and soothe stomach discomfort.
3. Immune System Boost: Herbs like echinacea and elderberry are believed to strengthen the immune system and help ward off colds.
4. Relaxation and Stress Relief: Teas like chamomile and lavender promote relaxation and help manage stress and anxiety.
5. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Herbs such as turmeric and ginger contain compounds that reduce inflammation and joint pain

Remedies for menstrual cramps and Today’s scenario:

• Heat therapy:

Warm baths, heating pads, or hot water bottles.

1. Relaxes uterine muscles: Reduces contractions and cramping.
2. Increases blood flow: Warmth dilates blood vessels, easing pain.
3. Blocks pain signals: Heat stimulates nerve endings, reducing pain transmission.

• Keeping Body Hydrated
  1. Reduces bloating and water retention
  2. Eases cramps and muscle tension
  3. Helps regulate hormones
  4. Supports digestive health
  5. Boosts energy levels
• Exercise:

1. Yoga, swimming, or brisk walking
2. Exercise regularly: Reduces cramp severity

• Herbal Teas:

Cramp bark, dandelion, or red raspberry leaf

1. Chamomile tea: Soothes cramps and promotes relaxation
2. Ginger: Tea, capsules, or ginger ale

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications:

1. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
2. Naproxen (Aleve)

• Massage therapy:

Targets lower abdomen and back

1. Abdominal massage: Targets the lower abdomen to ease cramps.
2. Lower back massage: Relaxes muscles and improves blood flow.
3. Circular motions on lower abdomen
4. Kneading and rolling on lower back
5. Decreases stress and anxiety
6. Promotes relaxation and sleep

Plant Profile

1. Guava Leaf

Synonym - Psidium guajava

Family - Myrtaceae family

Figure 1: Guava Leave

Use- Antioxidant properties, Anti-inflammatory properties, Antibacterial properties, Antiviral properties, May help manage

For menstrual health: Guava leaves may help relieve menstrual cramps and pain; Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease period cramps.

Synergistic use: Guava leaves have antibacterial and antioxidant properties that can help to treat skin conditions like acne. Guava leaves have antibacterial properties, which promote gut health. Guava leaves are good for those who have diabetes or have the risk of it. It will also stabilize glucose levels and prevent big spikes in blood sugar after meals. Guava leaves are rich in vitamin A, essential for good eyesight.

2. Pomegranate Peel

Synonym- wine apples or wine-apples

Family- Punicaceae family   

Figure 2: Pomegranate Peel

Use of pomegranate peel in the herbal tea:

For menstrua l health: Pomegranate peel and pomegranate flower  have been used to treat menstrual disorders, including heavy or prolonged bleeding, also known as menorrhagia; Pomegranate peel and flower contain astringent agents like tannins and triterpenoids, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. These compounds may suppress the synthesis of  prostaglandins, which can help with bleeding.

Synergistic use: Pomegranate peel is a good source of polyphenols, dietary fiber, and vitamins. It also contains other  bioactive compounds that have antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Cinnamon

Synonym – cinnamon bark , kalmi – dalchini , ceylon cinnamon .

Family – lauraceae .

Biological Source –it is an dried  inner  bark of the shoots of  coppiced  trees of cinnamomum zeylanicum .(cinnamomum verum ).

Use-It is used  as  an antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, lipid- lowering and cardiovascular disease lowering compound.

Figure.3: Cinnamon Powder

Use in menstrual health: Pain alleviation: Menstrual discomfort can be lessened in intensity and duration with cinnamon. Women who took cinnamon in one research reported much less pain  than those who received a placebo.

Bleeding: Menstrual hemorrhage may be lessened with cinnamon. Vomiting and feeling queasy: During menstruation, cinnamon may lessen the intensity of nausea  and frequency of vomiting.

Menstrual cycle: The menstrual cycle may be impacted by insulin levels, which cinnamon may help control. Cinnamon may help contro l the  menstrual cycle in  people  with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

4. Fennel Powder (Foeniculum Vulgare)

Synonym – Fructus foeniculli, Fennel fruit, Fenkel, Florence fennel, Sweet fennel,,Large fennel.

Family – Umbelliferae

Figure 4 : Fennel Powder.

Use-It provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. It is used for various digestive problems including heartburn, intestinal gas, bloating, loss of appetite and colic in infants.

Use in menstrual health: Help with period pain and other menstrual issues because of their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate hormones. Fennel seeds can help  reduce gas and bloating, which can be common during  menstruation. 10 Synergistic use: Fennel has other potential health benefits, including Fighting infection, regulating blood sugar, aiding digestion, and Helping breast milk production

Synergistic use: Cinnamon has been shown to have properties against neurological conditions including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease in addition to being an antioxidant, antiinflammatory, ant diabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and cardiovascular diseaselowering substance

5. Liquorice Powder

Synonyms- Glycyrrhiza, Liquorice root, Mulethi

Family-Leguminosae (Fabaceae)

Biological source-It consists of dried roots and stolons, whole or cut, peeled or unpeeled of Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn and other species of Glycyrrhiza.

Figure 5: Liquorice Powder

Uses- Digestive issues,Respiratory problems,Skin conditions, Menstrual relief,Anti-inflammatory

Use in menstrual health: Lowers  prostaglandin  production  to ease period pain. Mainly used as taste masking agent in herbal tea

Synergistic use: Liquorice root is promoted as a dietary supplement for conditions such as digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, cough, and bacterial and viral infections. Licorice gargles or  lozenges  have been  used to try to prevent or reduce the sore throat that sometimes  occurs  after  surgery

6. Ashwagandha

Synonyms- Withania root, Ashvagandha, Askandha, Asgandh (Hindi)

Family- Solanaceae.

Biological source- Withania root, Ashvagandha, Askandha, Asgandh (Hindi), It consists of dried roots and stem bases of Withania somni It consisten Phytsalis somnifera Linn., P. flexuosa Linn, arborescence DC).

Use- Adaptogen, antitumour, hypotensive, respiratory stimulant, antispasmodic, antibacterial, untiarthritic, hepatoprotective etc

Figure. 6 : Ashwagandha Powder

In menstrual health : Regulate  menstrual cycle. Ashwagandha  has a beneficial effect on key factors that influence your menstrual cycle, such as stress, inflammation, and hormonal .

 It improves the hormonal imbalance which strengthening the functioning of the adrenal glands. The antimicrobial  and  antibacterial  properties of Ashwagandha  may help deal with vaginal  infections. Many experts recommend using this herb for yeast infections

7. Ginger

Synonyms-Adarak, Zingiber.

Family- Zingiberaceae.

Biological source-Ginger belongs to oleo gum resin category and is obtained from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe.

Uses-Digestive aid, Anti-inflammatory,Cold and flu relief,Menstrual relief, Anti-cancer properties.

Figure 7: Ginger Powder

In menstrual health: Ginger  can  be as  effective as some pain  medications like ibuprofen or mefenamic acid. Some studies suggest that ginger is more effective than a placebo for relieving menstrual pain. Ginger water can help reduce menstrual blood loss and prevent  anemia

8. Lemon Grass

Synonyms-  Lemongrass,Citronella Grass

Family- Poaceae family

Chemical Constituents- Citral (70-80%),Geraniol ,Linalool ,Limonene ,Beta-caryophyllene

Figure 8: Lemon Grass

Uses: Tea, soups, curries, and marinades,Digestive issues, fever, and anxiety,Essential oil for relaxation and  stress relief, Citronella oil, Landscape plant.

9. Honey Powder: [sweetener]

Figure 9: Honey Powder

Use of  honey powder in herbal tea: Use in menstrual  heath: Honey can help with menstrual cramps and pain which have anti-inflammatory properties. Honey can help regulate weight, which  can  help with irregular periods. Honey can help keep blood sugar stable, which can satisfy sweet cravings before your period. Synergistic use: It contains anti-oxidants which slow the aging process. It helps to open up and unclog the pores. it protects your skin from harmful UV rays of sun and increases the skin's ability to rejuvenate. It brightens the dull and damaged skin08

 Material and Method

Aim :- To prepare and evaluate herbal tea using pomegranate peel [Punica granatum]and guava leaf [Psidium guajava]

Requirement:-

1]Guava leaf

2]Pomegranate peel

3]Cinnamon

4]Fennel

5]Liquirice

6]Ashwagandha

7]Honey powder

8]Ginger

9]Lemon grass

Instruments: -

1]Hot air oven

2]Mortel pestle

Methods:

Processing of herbal material

Pomegranate peel powder:

• Start by washing the pomegranate peels thoroughly to get rid of any dirt or chemicals.
• Pat them dry with a clean towel to remove surface moisture.
• Slice the peels into small, thin pieces — this helps them dry more quickly and evenly.
• Preheat your hot air oven to 50–60°C (122–140°F).
• Spread the pieces in a single layer on a baking tray, making sure they don’t overlap.
• Dry them in the oven for about 6 to 8 hours. Thicker peels may need more time.
• Every couple of hours, stir or flip the peels to help them dry evenly.
• You’ll know they’re ready when they feel crisp and snap easily.
• Let them cool completely to room temperature before grinding.
• Grind into a fine powder using a kitchen grinder or blender.
• Store the powder in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry place.

 Guava Leaf Powder

• Pick fresh guava leaves and rinse them well with distilled water to remove any dust or impurities.
• Blot them gently with a lint-free tissue or let them air-dry for 30 to 60 minutes to remove surface moisture.
• Preheat your hot air oven to 40–50°C (104–122°F).
• Lay the leaves flat in a single layer on a tray.
• Place the tray in the oven and dry the leaves for 4 to 6 hours. Check now and then — the leaves should feel dry, brittle, and crisp when they’re done.
• After drying, let them cool down in a dry, airtight space (like a desiccator) to prevent moisture from creeping back in.
• Grind the dry leaves into a fine powder using a blender or lab grinder.
• Sift the powder if needed for a more uniform texture.
• Transfer it immediately to a moisture-proof, airtight container and store it somewhere cool and dry.

Preparation Steps:

Preparation of herbal tea

1. After removing and thoroughly cleaning the pomegranate skins, they are dried in a hot air oven set at 55 degrees Celsius for roughly 6 to 8 hours.
2. The guava leaves are dried for two to three hours at 55 degrees Celsius in a hot air oven.
3. Finely powdered ginger, ashwagandha, liquorice, fennel, and cinnamon
4. A grinder is used to dry and powder the lemon grass
5. Using a mortar and  pestle or grinder, the dried pomegranate peels and leaves are ground into a fine powder.
6. The aforementioned powders are weighed and placed in a jar based on the formula.
7. Pour in the necessary amount of  water and bring to a boil for around five minutes.
8. Depending on your preferred sweetness, add honey powder.

Table 1.: Role of Ingredients

Figure 10. Pomegranate Peel Powder                          

Figure 11. Guava Leaf Powder

Evaluation Parameters

1. Aroma
2. Flavour
3. Mouthfeel
4. Aftertaste
5. Appearance
6. Dysmenorrhoea treating agent
7. Compressibility

Scoring scale

A Scoring scale is used to rate performance of each batch

5. 0 to 3 Scale
   • 0 = Poor
   • 1= Moderate
   • 2 = Excellent

Evaluation Table: