Wild Yam fresh root (Dioscorea villosa)*

Indicated in cases of biliousness or abdominal, uterine, ovarian or hepatic pain with spasms. It is used for colic, gas pain, menstrual cramps and spastic colon. Wild Yam is an anti-inflammatory agent, a cholagogue and antispasmodic for used with irritable bowel syndrome, arthritic pain, hiatal hernia, dysmenorrhea and gall bladder spasms.

Black Haw fresh bark (Viburnum prunifolium)*

Antispasmodic especially to the uterus. It is indicated for dysmenorrhea with lumbar pain, for threatened miscarriage, menorrhagia, mittleschmertz, hiccoughs, uterine and abdominal colic. Black Haw is also indicated for genital herpes associated with hormonal cycles such as menses.

Roman Chamomile flowers (Anthemis nobilis)*

Stronger acting than its relative German Chamomile, this flower is an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and nervine/sedative. It is used for spasms, cramping and pain of the uterus, intestines, back and temperomandibular joints.

Petasites root PA-free (Petasites frigida)*

Now available without potentially toxic pyrollizidine alkaloids, Petasites is one of the most effective antispasmodic herbs. It has strong activity for menstrual cramps, muscle spasms, bladder spasms, vaginismus and intestinal spasms.

Cyperus rhizome (Cyperus rotundus)*

Long used in Chinese medicine, this rhizome is considered especially effective for menstrual pain. It regulates the Qi of the “Chinese liver”, making it useful for symptoms of stagnation such as cramping, gas, nausea and vomiting.

Jamaican Dogwood bark (Piscidia piscipula)*

One of the strongest non-narcotic herbal pain killers (anodynes).  Jamaican Dogwood is used especially for menstrual (dysmenorrhea) and facial nerve pain (Bell's Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, temporomandibular joint pain).  This tropical bark can also be used for back pain, acute pain and spasms of the bladder, vagina or muscles.

Bibliography:

Bensky, D. and Gamble, A.  Chinese Herbal Medicine - Materia Medica, Seattle, 1986

Kuts-Cheraux, A. W., ND  Naturae Medicina and Naturopathic Dispensatory, Des Moines, 1953

Moore, M.  Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West, Santa Fe, 1993

Weiss, R. F., MD  Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield, England, 1988

Winston, D.  Herbal Therapeutics - Materia Medica notes, HTSBM, 1980-1999