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Why Do You Feel So Drained Before Your Period? How Herbalism Can Help
As a herbalist, one of the most common struggles I hear from women is that they suddenly feel incredibly fatigued a few days before their period. Perhaps a...
As a herbalist, one of the most common struggles I hear from women is that they suddenly feel incredibly fatigued a few days before their period. Perhaps a few days ago, you were getting through your to-do list, enjoying your workouts and making plans for the weekend. Now, answering an email feels like an effort.
Premenstrual tiredness can feel surprisingly intense, especially when you’re trying to maintain your usual routine. You might feel physically heavy, mentally foggy or emotionally worn out, sometimes all at once.
Working with the power of plants is a beautiful way to start easing this pattern of fatigue, let’s take a look at some of the best all-natural approaches.
Why does your energy dip before your period?
The time between ovulation and your next period is called the luteal phase. During this phase, oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate, then fall as your period approaches if pregnancy hasn’t occurred.
Some people are particularly sensitive to these normal hormonal changes. That sensitivity can contribute to premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, which may include fatigue, mood changes, breast tenderness, bloating and difficulty sleeping. Having PMS doesn’t automatically mean your hormone levels are abnormal.
Several symptoms may be working together. If you’re sleeping badly, feeling uncomfortable and finding everyday stresses harder to manage, your energy can take a noticeable knock.
This is why a useful approach looks beyond simply finding something to give you a boost.
How herbalism can offer support
A herbal approach considers the whole experience. Are you exhausted but struggling to settle at night? Does low mood make everything feel harder? Are breast tenderness and other recurring PMS symptoms wearing you down?
Different herbs have different uses, and evidence for improving overall PMS symptoms is not the same as evidence for treating fatigue specifically.
Here are three that I think are worth getting to know.
Saffron: support for the emotional side of PMS
Sometimes, feeling drained before your period means even small things feel like a lot. You might feel low, more sensitive than usual, or simply less like yourself. This is where saffron could be helpful.
Best known as a vibrant cooking spice, saffron has also been studied for its effects on mood and PMS. In a small trial involving 50 women, those who took saffron over two menstrual cycles experienced greater improvements in overall PMS symptoms and depressive symptoms than those taking a placebo.
That makes it worth considering when low mood is a familiar part of the days before your period.
Lemon balm: a little help winding down
When you’re tired, but your mind is still busy at bedtime, a calming evening ritual can feel especially welcome. Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis, is a fragrant member of the mint family traditionally used to ease mild stress and support sleep.
Its gentle lemony scent makes it a lovely tea to enjoy as you settle in for the night. Close the laptop, soften the lights and give yourself a little breathing room before bed.
If feeling tense or unsettled is part of your premenstrual routine, lemon balm could be a comforting addition to those evenings when you need some extra rest.
Chasteberry: a more targeted herb for recurring PMS
When the same uncomfortable symptoms show up month after month, chasteberry is an herb worth knowing about. Also called vitex or monk’s pepper, Vitex agnus-castus is one of the better-studied herbs for PMS, with research suggesting benefits for symptoms such as cyclical breast tenderness.
Chasteberry may help make those premenstrual days more comfortable, especially when tender breasts are a familiar part of your monthly routine. Its focus is on supporting a recurring pattern of PMS symptoms, making it a useful herb to explore as part of a longer-term approach to menstrual wellbeing.
Bringing botanicals and nutrients together with Jennah Organics
If you prefer a combined formula, Jennah Organics Hormone Support brings together saffron extract, magnesium glycinate, vitamin B6 and inositol, alongside other botanical ingredients to support easier cycles and ease PMS symptoms.
Saffron connects the formula with the herbal approach discussed above, while magnesium and vitamin B6 contribute to normal energy metabolism. Green tea extract supports metabolic health and helps alleviate fatigue, while inositol boosts insulin sensitivity so it’s easier for your cells to use glucose as energy.
Give the basics some room, too
Herbs fit best into a routine that gives your body enough nourishment and rest.
Try to keep meals regular, especially if your appetite changes before your period. Include protein, carbohydrates and fats, and keep easy meals available for the days when cooking feels like too much effort.
Leave some flexibility in your plans. You might prefer a walk to a demanding workout or an earlier evening at home. You can respond to how you feel without creating strict rules for every phase of your cycle.
Choose one manageable change at a time. That could be preparing tomorrow’s lunch, making room for an evening tea or tracking your symptoms so you can discuss them with a practitioner.
