Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, is a common concern for many women. It can lead to significant discomfort, disrupt daily life, and even result in anemia. While it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a comprehensive treatment plan, incorporating certain herbs into your regimen may offer relief and support overall menstrual health. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best herbs for heavy menstrual bleeding.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red clover is renowned for its ability to support hormonal balance. Rich in phytoestrogens, red clover can help modulate estrogen levels in the body, which may be beneficial for women experiencing heavy bleeding. It also contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe menstrual discomfort.
How to Use:
- Red clover can be consumed as a tea or in capsule form. To make tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried red clover flowers in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is known for its hemostatic properties, meaning it helps reduce bleeding. This herb has been traditionally used to manage excessive menstrual bleeding and support overall uterine health. Its astringent qualities can help tone and tighten tissues, potentially reducing the flow of menstrual blood. Yarrow is a great herb for pelvic congestion.
How to Use:
- Yarrow can be taken as a tea, tincture, or in capsule form. For tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried yarrow leaves and flowers in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
Shepherd’s purse has a long history of use in traditional medicine for controlling excessive bleeding. It promotes clotting, helps contract the uterus, and reduces menstrual flow due to its astringent and vasoconstricting properties. Shepherd’s purse promotes uterine contractions. This herb is particularly useful for addressing acute heavy bleeding.
How to Use:
- Shepherd’s purse is typically used in tincture form. Follow the dosage instructions on the product label or consult with a herbalist for personalized guidance.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris):
This rose family herb is native to Europe, Asia, and the United States. Its scientific name Alchemilla is a derivative of the Arab work Alkemelych, or alchemy, so called for the plant’s magical potency. Folklore concerning Lady’s Mantle seems to focus on the dew that is gathered on the leaves at the center of its furrowed leaves, which is said to be a key ingredient in several alchemical formulas. The dew was also said to be collected and used as a beauty lotion. This plant is used for heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods.
How to use:
- Lady’s mantle can be used as a tincture: 2-4mL three times daily; or infused as a tea: 3 cups daily
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Nettle is packed with nutrients like iron, which can be particularly useful for women who experience heavy bleeding and are at risk of anemia. Additionally, nettle has mild astringent properties that may help reduce the amount of bleeding.
How to Use:
- Nettle can be consumed as a tea, capsule, or tincture. For tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaves in hot water for 10 minutes.
Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Raspberry leaf is well-known for its ability to tone the uterine muscles and support menstrual health. While it is more commonly used to ease menstrual cramps and support labor, its astringent properties can also help with heavy bleeding by toning the uterine lining.
How to Use:
- Raspberry leaf is typically consumed as a tea. Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried raspberry leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Crampbark (Viburnom opulus)
This large shrub, in the honeysuckle family, is native to the moist lowlands of England and Scotland, but now naturalized to the United States and Canada. The bark is used medicinally for women’s health, as it has both drying and antispasmodic qualities. Its drying, or astringent properties, helps slow blood loss, while the antispasmodic properties help with uterine tone.
How to use:
- Crampbark is typically consumed as a tincture or capsule.
Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
This familiar spice cabinet herb has a long history of supporting heavy menstrual bleeding and post-partum bleeding. It can restore uterine tone and slow blood loss.
How to use:
- Cinnamon sticks can be boiled for 10-15 minutes to use as a tea. Capsule and tincture forms are also commonly used. Assists placental detachment. Restores uterine tone, hemostatic – stops blood loss
Erigeron canadensis: fleasbane (used by Hopi Indians)
This daisy family herb has oxytocin-like properties and is used to slow heavy bleeding. It is often combined with cinnamon in tinctures for their synergistic qualities.
How to use:
- Erigeron is often used as a tincture or found in capsule form.
Where to source these herbs
Quality is essential when using herbs internally for medicinal use. Sources for purchasing loose herbs to use as tea or in tincture form include:
Mountain Rose Herbs: https://mountainroseherbs.com/
Fullscript: Set up an account under Dr. Whelan’s medicinary for a 10% discount and access to the highest quality, professional-grade supplements. See the Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Protocol
Final Thoughts
While these herbs offer potential benefits for managing heavy menstrual bleeding, it’s important to approach their use with care. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a qualified herbalist before starting any new herbal regimen, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
Incorporating these herbs into your routine might provide additional support for menstrual health and overall well-being. Remember, maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress, and engaging in regular physical activity are also crucial components of menstrual health.
For more comprehensive and individualized support, complete the Application and book a Healthy Hormone Breakthrough Session!
About Dr. Whelan
Dr. Whelan is a highly regarded licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) and Creighton Model FertilityCare™ Medical Consultant, based in Vermont. She is renowned for her expertise in treating women’s reproductive hormone disorders. Her practice specializes in lifestyle medicine, nutritional counseling, botanical medicine, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Whelan’s main focus addresses hormone imbalances related to conditions such as PCOS, Hashimoto’s, heavy menstrual bleeding, PMS, perimenopause symptoms – (including insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, depression, digestive issues), insulin resistance, adrenal dysfunction, fertility issues, irregular menstrual cycles, endometriosis.
She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree from the National University of Natural Medicine. She completed additional training as a Creighton Model FertilityCare™ Practitioner and NaPro Medical Consultant from the St Paul VI Institute in Omaha, NE.