I have noticed that there are a lot of recommendation on what to do for menstrual cramping out there and being a victim of irregular, painful and extremely heavy flows I thought I would put my two cents in as well. I also thank all of you who have shared your remedies and ideas to the rest of us suffering women.

If you are one of the unlucky individuals cursed with cycles of heavy menstruation the first thing I want to say is don't take ANY aspirin based pain relievers. Aspirin as many of you know is a blood thinner and will make your already heavy flow even more heavy. So to avoid embarrassing situations at work or at school even if your cramps are so bad you can't even walk do NOT take aspirin even as a last resort. Just go home. Trust me on this I have been there.

Another "do not do" I can recommend are heating pads and warm water bottles. Yes warmth does help a lot, but for you heavy flowers this is just a disaster waiting to happen. Heat like aspirin also thins the blood and will only make matters worse so lay off on the heat. Even hot teas and coffee just don't do it. It is not worth the risk. If you are at a friend's house or on a dinner date take my advise and you will be sparred a messy and embarrassing situation. Don't be active on heavy days no matter how much a commercial or a friend swears by a feminine hygiene product. Just don't take that chance there will be later days and diets if you are that worried about your weight. Don't go swimming and avoid spas.

Though if you are at home with nothing to do all day and completely miserable from cramps and bleeding go take a nice hot bath. For me baths are my miracle cures. Anything from upset stomachs to constipation always seem to be helped by the healing powers of warm water. Shute go a head and lay in bubbles sipping on hot tea or coffee and let the pain fade away. Though after you get out I recommend taking extra precautions and fold a large thick towel (not a pretty one) for you take with you to sit on so there are no accident's on beds or sofas. Take it with you in the car. The last thing you want to do is make up some kind of excuse for stains on your car seat when friends or family are getting lifts. "Oh its just just some grape juice I left on my seat," or "Some ketchup spilled out of a bag when I was throwing it away."

Ok, on to the remedies. Raspberries of any shape and kind (fruit, flowers and leaves) have been a woman's miracle fruit for thousands of years. It strengthens all reproductive related tissue, is full of vitamins and trace minerals, helps to curb appetites and overall is just a ladies' best friend. To reap the benefits of this delicious herb you must ingest over long durations. I recommend my favorite raspberry/mint iced tea recipe to drink during the weeks before and during your period.

Raspberry Mint Iced Tea

Take 5 raspberry tea bags, 1 mint tea bag and add them to 5 cups just boiled water. Try not to boil the teas for it tends to make them bitter and you loose the wonderfully tasty and natural flavor. Steep for about ten minutes (you want the tea to be very strong) then discard the tea bags. If you like your teas sweet this is when you want to add your sugar. I will usually add half a cup of brown sugar to the hot tea. Brown sugar is healthier than white providing extra nutrients and minerals a long with a bolder flavor. Dissolve sugar by stirring with a wooden spoon. I recommend wooden utensils when cooking anything. Plastic can release their chemicals into your food through the heating process and can cause all kinds of ailments. After your tea has dissolved the sugar add two cups of ice. While that melts get a large glass container, fill that with more ice then carefully and slowly pour your tea over the ice in the glass container. The glass will hold your tea's flavor without leeching any nasty elements into your healthy tea. Enjoy plain or with milk both are excellent. Make it more exciting by adding fresh raspberries, a mint sprig and a lime twist.

Sweet Coriander Rice Milk

This remedy will help steady your flow. I like to make a large batch over the weekend, pour into empty water bottles and chill to have enough available so I can take 3 bottles to work with me everyday of the week during my cycle. Be sure to shake well before drinking. Boil 6 cups of water and 6 cups of white sugar. Remove from heat and add fresh coriander (also known as cilantro), cover with a cloth and allow it to sit over night. Rinse 3 cups of white rice and place in a sealed container with water and place in the fridge over night along with the coriander water. The next day remove the coriander from the sweet water and discard. Blend the rice and the coriander water in a blender till a smooth even liquid resembling chunky milk is produced. Strain the rice through a non-paper coffee filter to get the best results. Coriander is an acquired taste so I suggest adding fresh mint to the sugar water with the coriander, removing both in the morning. Garnish with coriander flowers and a lemon wedge. Also good warm but do not recommend while period is heavy.

Pickle Pops

I have heard from friends that their mothers and grandmothers would swear by frozen pickle juice to aid in the relief of menstrual pain. Just take the juice from your pickle jar, pour into ice or popsicle trays, freeze and suck on them through out the day. I don't care too much for pickles so if someone could get back to me on this remedy I would greatly appreciate it.

Herbal Pills

Yarrow-helps in reducing the flow of heavy periods.

Evening Primrose-this is another woman's herb. It has aided many ladies with beauty issues for centuries. I have often used this herb while treating myself for womanly ailments and may have enhanced the effects of other remedies.

Sesame Milk Bath

For added relaxation light some soy-based scented candles and turn off the lights.  Be careful, 1 drop of water in melted wax is dangerous.  Please exercise caution.

A soothing bath starts with hot water.  Fill your tub with water as hot as you can comfortably stand.  Add 1 cup of fresh or dried rose petals, 1 cup of dried or fresh marigold blossoms, five tablespoons of dried milk and a handful of crushed sesame seeds.  Add your favorite bubble bath and/or essential oils if you like.  Steep yourself for 30 min to an hour and enjoy :)