Due in France, one out of every two women declares that she is subject to difficult periods (1), accompanied by tummy aches, mood disturbances, fatigue and more. Discover how botanicals adapted to each female problem could naturally relieve the discomforts of this particular time of the month. Call on our Botanical Studio® for formulations with specific claims for women's well-being.

Health benefits of botanicals for feminine confort during difficult periods

The market has recently seen the emergence of hyperspecialised food supplements for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). These new nutraceutical offerings (2) are dedicated to female cycle complement products devoted to well-being and beauty.

From the first menstrual period to menopause, many medicinal botanicals are recommended and have been used for centuries for their beneficial effects on the physical and emotional discomforts associated with hormonal variations.

They offer natural, body-friendly solutions that support, comfort and meet the different needs of women according to their monthly cycle. Thanks to their active ingredients and vitamins, botanical ingredients offer numerous benefits. 

Several essential botanicals stand out for their ability to treat premenstrual syndrome, based on the following health benefits:

Circulation / emmenagogue botanicals

An emmenagogue botanical, from the Greek emmêna meaning "menstruation", is a botanical that promotes or provokes menstruation. 

Achillea millefolium, known for its emmenagogue effect (3) and in the case of dysmenorrhoea (4) which has properties that stimulate blood circulation, is thought to trigger menstruation in cases of amenorrhoea thanks to its tonic effect on uterine contractions. It is said to be effective in cases of painful or heavy periods, and to relieve endometriosis.

Hawthorn (5), Butcher’s broom (6) or red vine leaf (7) also improves blood circulation and venous return problems.

Well-being, pain-relieving botanicals

Chamomile helps to reduce menstrual pain and also encourages the onset of menstruation. This is also the case for Angelica, recognised in cases of dysmenorrhoea (8) and for Mugwort.

Chaste tree is effective in the event of dysmenorrhoea (9) relieves PMS by regulating the menstrual cycle when progesterone production is insufficient.

Liquorice, soy and red clover (10) are recommended for hormonal balance and to relieve PMS based on their action on oestrogens. 

Verbena officinalus is known to relieve hormonal imbalance and alleviate PMS (11). It is also said to be effective in relaxing stress-related nervous and muscular tension (12).

Digestion / Fatigue and energy

Fennel: Its seeds have antioxidant properties that help to keep menstrual periods comfortable. It also regulates hormonal imbalance and acts against dyspepsia and bloating (13). 

Ginger (14) is effective for dysmenorrhoea (15) and its rhizomes contain important antioxidant properties. It contributes to physical and digestive well-being and is known to relieve hormonal imbalance. 

Ginseng is an excellent feminine fortifier and tonic (16) known for relieving hormonal imbalance (17). 

Nettle, very rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins, revitalises the body, balances during periods of stress and helps eliminate toxins (18). As an antianemic (19), it helps to replenish iron during heavy periods; as a diuretic, it reduces water retention and aids in digestion. 

Dandelion supports liver function (20) by eliminating hormones when levels drop at the time of menstruation. 

Sage officinalus, is a botanical which regulates the hormonal cycle and difficult periods by stimulating oestrogen receptors. It also tones the body, stimulates digestion and blood circulation, and has antispasmodic effects that relieve contractions (21).

Sleep and stress

Motherwort, stimulates the onset of menstruation and has a calming and anxiolytic effect (22).

Chamomile: the natural antioxidants in its flowers promote physical and mental relaxation (23). 

Lavender calms and soothes the nervous system (24).

Lemon balm is known to soothe hormonal imbalance (25).

St John’s wort (26) acts on morale and in the case of mild to moderate depression (27). 

Passion Flower has anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties (28).

Valerian (29): promotes sleep and relaxation while reducing the number of night-time awakenings. 

In addition to dietary hygiene measures, natural food supplements have been formulated by leading manufacturers to promote comfort before and during menstruation, thereby contributing to women's well-being and a good quality of life. 

These supplements are sources of minerals, trace elements and vitamins that are important in preventing these symptoms.

Baobab (30) represents and excellent source of: 

• Magnesium, the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, with low levels in women with difficult periods. It reduces fatigue and improves psychological well-being (31).
• Zinc protects the body cells against oxidative stress.
• Vitamin B6 which the body is unable to synthesise and which is therefore only supplied by the diet. It regulates hormonal activity, helps reduce fatigue and contributes to a healthy psychological balance (32).

Our botanicals used to relieve PMS

In response to consumer demand for healthy, organic and responsible products, Natural Origins offers a wide range of natural ingredients to nourish your formulas aimed at reducing the impact of hormones on women's daily lives. 

In our catalogue, we provide you with our raw botanicals, cut or in the form of extracts or powders, so that you can incorporate them as effectively as possible into your formulations. We also offer our products in conventional and/or organic quality, depending on your needs.

Our tailor-made formulations with the Botanical Studio® 

Thanks to our Botanical Studio®, an applications laboratory for the tailor-made design of your innovations, you can develop your own solutions.

Our botanical experts will guide you from the search for ingredients to the personalised design of your product.

By way of example, we have developed this organic "Menstrual Comfort" infusion  with a nutraceutical stakeholder:

• Organic lemon verbena leaf (Lippia Citriodora) – 30 to 50 %
• Organic hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) – 20 to 30 %
• Organic elderflower (Sambucus nigra L.) – 5 to 9 %
• Organic raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus L.) – 3 to 5 %
• Organic blackcurrant leaf (Ribes Nigrum L.) – 1 to 3 %
• Organic nettle leaf (Urtica Dioica L.) – 1 to 3 %

Our 100% integrated solution

Starting from this coming autumn, Natural Origins will be putting its Doypack® production line at your disposal, with its innovative flexible sachets for your teas, infusions and nutraceutical formulations. As part of our drive to optimise the containers used for our finished products, Doypack® is the ideal environmentally-friendly packaging.

At the Botanical Studio®, you'll find our full-service offer and the choice of tailor-made packaging, whether for raw botanicals, cuts, blends, powders or botanical extracts.  

So that you can create and taste your own formulations, Natural Origins invites you to a one-day workshop where we will be developing: 

• the sharing of our experience and support as close as possible to your project,
• suggestions and proposals for scents, aromas and flavours of natural ingredients that will create your brand's strong identity,
• specific botanicals according to your specifications: taste, geographical origin, choice of spices, etc.
• the originality of your blend to enhance your formulation,
• and taste and botanical expertise tailored to each of your unique and confidential projects.

Please feel free to contact us.

To see our entire product range, check out our online catalogue available 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK.

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