When you hear onions – the first thing that probably comes to your mind is bad breath. But surprisingly it makes almost every dish taste delicious. Onion is a wonder vegetable loaded with nutrients that not only help you stay healthy but are also a quick remedy for pain. Case in point – menstrual cramps. Even my mom recommends having onion tea to get rid of menstrual cramps. Don’t frown, it might work!
On my second day of periods, I was lying on the couch thinking “This too shall pass!” but it didn’t. After trying heating pads for hours, I turned to my mom and asked her if she has a quick remedy to help me relieve the pain. Thanks to her ‘gharelu nuskha’, she immediately prepared an onion tea, which I was sceptical about and not really happy about drinking. To my surprise, it worked, and how! So, I thought of sharing the wisdom with you too, but of course with some backing from science. So, shall we?
Does onion tea work for menstrual cramps?
As much as periods are a part and parcel of a woman’s life, they can be extremely painful. While there are over-the-counter medicines that can give you quick relief, they aren’t always the best. So, it makes sense to turn to natural remedies, especially the ones that moms recommend. For two reasons – one they will tell you the right thing, second the remedy is tried and tested. Since my mom recommended onion tea for menstrual cramps, I checked with an expert if it’s medically proven to have positive effects on pain or not.
Health Shots asked Dr Ruchi Vohra, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Metro Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana, who says onion tea may be something that can work for menstrual cramps. Explaining the benefits of onions, the expert says the brown skin of onion has phenolic compounds, such as quercetin and other flavonoids which have medicinal properties. The skin of an onion is also rich in antioxidants. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
“Menstrual cramping is considered to be caused by excessive levels of prostaglandins, which stimulate abnormal uterine contractions. Quercetin has a suppressing effect on contractions induced by prostaglandins ad oxytocin. An increase in calcium ions in the uterine smooth muscles induces muscles to contract. Calcium ions-dependent uterine contractions are inhibited by quercetin. Quercetin reduces the prostaglandin-elicited calcium ion responses in human uterine smooth muscle cells,” adds the expert.
Also Read: From almonds to jaggery: 5 home remedies to fight period cramps
How to prepare onion tea for menstrual cramps?
Making onion tea is super simple! If the idea of trying onion juice for some period of pain relief seems appealing to you, grab a pan and prepare the tea now! However, don’t forget to check with your doctor before you try this home remedy. Without further ado, let’s check out how you can make onion tea to get rid of menstrual cramps.
1. Take an onion and wash it without peeling.
2. Put clean onion skins in a pot of water
3. Let it boil for a few minutes
4. Take a small strainer and pour the tea into a cup. Add a little honey.
One feels better after 30 minutes of taking this preparation. So, it is a simple home remedy for menstrual cramps, avers the gynaecologist.
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