8 Natural Herbs for Endometriosis That Can Help You Feel Better
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Melissa Thompson, PT, DPT, MTC
Dr. Thompson is board certified and the owner of Louisiana Pelvic Health. Her expertise is in alleviating bladder, bowel, and sexual pain symptoms during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout a woman's life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You are bloated, fatigued, and in constant pain. Nothing seems to make your endometriosis symptoms better.
Conventional treatments (pain medications, hormone therapy, and surgery) aren’t giving you any relief plus they have harmful side effects.
Did you know herbs can be used to treat endometriosis naturally?
A Chinese study shows herbs can relieve painful menstruation, shrink endometrial tissue, and increase fertility.
Below is a list of herbs for endometriosis treatment and how to incorporate them into your daily life. The infographic below shares 5 herbs but this guide gives 3 bonus herbs to maximize healing.
Herbs to Help Endometriosis:
Before you continue reading, I want to make something clear:
These endometriosis herbal medicines and supplements for endometriosis are just that...
They're medicines. They're supplements. They are NOT cure.
While I want to make this clear, I also want to share that these herbs have been extremely helpful to my healing process.
Some of these herbs I simply can't live without (specifically evening primrose oil - which you'll read about below). If I don't take them for a couple of days, I notice my endometriosis symptoms begin to worsen.
While they're designed to supplement your healing, don't underestimate their power.
Supplements for Endometriosis Pain
Most of the Chinese herbs for endometriosis (and herbs in general) that you'll read about below have been shown to positively impact endometriosis pain.
How is that possible?
Endometriosis is an inflammation-based condition. The more inflammation you have, the worse your endometrial symptoms will be (AKA more pain).
The less inflammation you have, the better your endometrial symptoms will be (AKA less pain).
Most of the holistic herbs for endometriosis below are designed to combat inflammation at the deepest level. Some of these herbs even target inflammation at the cellular level.
Natural Medicine For Endometriosis Comes From The Earth
Everything you'll read about below is natural.
As you'll see, they're all plant-based. People have been harnessing the power of these plants for thousands of years. They've been using them to help fight disease, illness, plagues, and more.
Yet, only recently has science taken a deeper dive into:
- The chemical structure of these plants
- The healing power that these plants possess
- And how these plants can benefit women with endometriosis.
1. Evening Primrose Oil
This is by far the most influential supplement I've ever taken. If I run out of this stuff and don't refill for a couple of days, I really notice it. My symptoms start to come back and I don't feel as well.
There are TONS of benefits associated with evening primrose oil.
As a woman with endometriosis, I really only care about the main two benefits I get from it:
1. Lowered inflammation
2. Reduced PMS symptoms.
I take a 1300 mg supplement before bed each night. The quality of the supplement matters. So, it might be worth spending the extra couple of dollars to get good quality.
2.Turmeric/Curcumin
Turmeric is not only an essential ingredient in curry but also relieves endometriosis symptoms.
Curcumin is a compound in turmeric that gives the spice its anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties.
Why Turmeric/Curcumin Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Many women with endometriosis are estrogen dominant which creates a hormonal imbalance. Curcumin naturally reduces estrogen production, which helps to balance hormone levels.
In addition to reducing estrogen, curcumin is also linked to suppressing tissue from forming in the lining of the uterus.
Curcumin is also a natural detoxifier helping the liver filter toxins and excess estrogen which irritate endometriosis systems.
Add Turmeric & Curcumin to your diet:
- Spice up your meals.
- Brew a cup of turmeric tea.
- Blend it in a morning smoothie
3. Ginger
Ginger is a natural remedy for women with endometriosis. This knotty root alleviates painful symptoms associated with the disease.
Why Ginger Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that triggers an imbalance in the immune system. Ginger is an immune booster that strengthens the immune system and reduces inflammation.
Ginger has pain-relieving properties like ibuprofen, without the harmful side effects. This herb is a remedy for painful cramps and nausea associated with endometriosis.
Add Ginger to your diet:
4. Peppermint
Peppermint is used in teas, lotions and essential oils to soothe endometriosis symptoms.
Why Peppermint Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Peppermint is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which often affects women with endometriosis.
The antioxidants in peppermint relax muscle spasms like painful IBS cramping and menstrual pains - both associated with endometriosis.
How to use peppermint:
- Peppermint teas
- Diffuse peppermint oil
- Peppermint oil mixed with coconut oil
5. Yarrow
Yarrow has medicinal properties that relieve IBS and promote regular menstruation.
Why Yarrow Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
A common problem many women with endometriosis experience is irregular and/or extremely heavy menstruation.
Yarrow has sterols which produce a hormone-like action to regulate menstrual cycles, reducing heavy periods and promotes healthy uterine function.
This herb alleviates endo belly, induces sweating and natural detoxification to remove harmful toxins from the body that aggravate endometriosis.
How to use Yarrow:
- Tincture is the concentrated liquid herbal extract, add it to teas or use by itself.
- Yarrow tea
- A warm to cold Yarrow compress
6. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a natural anti-inflammatory and increases liver function, which helps the body remove toxins that interfere with endometriosis.
Why Milk Thistle Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Milk thistle supports liver function which works to rid the body of excess estrogen, the main cause of endometriosis pain and irregular periods.
In addition to supporting liver function, it promotes progesterone production helping to balance hormone levels for women with endometriosis.
Add Milk Thistle to your diet:
- Milk Thistle leaves can be substituted for spinach.
- Ground Milk Thistle seeds make tea and can be used as a replacement for coffee.
7. White Willow
White willow bark, also known as nature’s aspirin, is a pain reliever.
Why White Willow Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Many over the counter pain relievers have been linked to liver damage. A healthy functioning liver is necessary for women with endometriosis since the liver removes excess estrogen and harmful toxins from the body.
White willow can be substituted for aspirin to soothe menstrual cramps.
How to use White Willow:
- Add loose dried leaves to tea
- Supplements
8. Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a plant compound with multifunctional properties including antioxidants, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic.
Why Resveratrol Can Help Your Endometriosis Symptoms
Resveratrol has shown the most significant progress in the treatment of endometriosis. Studies show this herb decreases the number and size of endometrial tissue growth.
Add Resveratrol to your diet:
- Blueberries and/or cranberries added to cereal or smoothie
- Dark chocolate
Herbs for endometriosis are the natural choice. They alleviate pain, rid the body of toxins, slow down endometrial tissue growth and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Natural Help For Endometriosis Starts With Herbs (But There's So Much More)
As I shared above, these herbs are powerful. I use them for my own healing.
But, they're just a piece to the puzzle.
There's more that you should be doing to naturally relieve your endometriosis pain and discomfort.
Here are some of the other things that you should be thinking about:
- Changing your diet for endometriosis: Endometriosis is an inflammation-based condition. By changing your diet and consuming more anti-inflammatory foods, you can start to feel better.
- Practicing mindfulness or meditation: Meditation and mindfulness have been anecdotally shown to help women with endometriosis.
- Use a healing personal moisturizer: Chiavaye has a healing personal moisturizer and sex lube. It's 100% vegan and all-natural. It includes one of the herbs in this guide - evening primrose oil - specifically for women with endometriosis.
- See a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist - Pelvic PT is an effective way to work with a health professional on your body's specific needs whether it be painful sex, pelvic floor dysfunction, and more.
