Your menstrual cycle moves through four distinct phases, each with its own needs and challenges. But here's what most articles won't tell you: herbalism isn't about matching one herb to one symptom. In this guide, I'll share how plants like cramp bark, nettle, and vitex can support your cycle, and why understanding your whole picture matters more than any single remedy.
Most of us were never taught what a healthy period truly looks like, instead we were told that cramps are inevitable and heavy bleeding runs in families, and if we complained we were offered tablets or the pill as though the menstrual cycle were an inconvenience to be subdued rather than a vital sign to be observed. I believed this myself for years until my own struggles forced me to pay closer attention.
Seed cycling is one of those trends that floats around the wellness world like a whisper passed between yoga mats and Pinterest boards. It promises natural hormone balance, improved cycles, reduced PMS, and even better skin. But does it really deliver?
Your period is more than just a monthly event; it’s a window into your hormonal and systemic health. From the colour and consistency of your blood to the heaviness (or lightness) of your flow, your period is giving you valuable information about what’s going on internally.
If you’ve ever wanted a deeper connection to your body and a clearer understanding of your hormones, tracking your basal body temperature (BBT) is a simple and effective place to start. It’s surprisingly accurate, and gives you a day-by-day map of what’s going on in your cycle; from ovulation to your luteal phase and everything in between.
If you're here, chances are you're dealing with endo in some way. Maybe you've been diagnosed. Maybe you're stuck in that limbo of "we're not sure, maybe it's endo, maybe it's just bad periods" (which, by the way, is not a thing. Painful periods are common but not normal and you deserve to be taken seriously).
