5 Herbs Every Woman Should Know About
Nobody taught us about herbs. Not in school. Not at the doctor's office. Not usually at home either.
We were taught to reach for ibuprofen when we cramped, antihistamines when we were anxious, sleeping pills when we couldn't rest. And those things have their place. But there's a whole world of plant medicine that women have been using for centuries — that works, that's gentle, and that most of us were never introduced to.
Here are five herbs that changed how I relate to my body. These are worth knowing.
1. Raspberry Leaf
If you only know one herb for your cycle, make it this one.
Raspberry leaf is a uterine tonic — meaning it nourishes and strengthens the uterine muscle over time. It doesn't just mask cramps. It addresses the tension and weakness that cause severe cramping in the first place. Regular use over 2-3 cycles often significantly reduces cramp intensity.
It's also rich in iron and magnesium, which most women are deficient in especially during their period. It tastes mild and slightly earthy — easy to drink daily.
Best for: cramps, heavy flow, general cycle support, iron replenishment
2. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is the herb I wish someone had handed me at 16.
It's a nervine — meaning it directly soothes the nervous system. It's specifically effective for the kind of anxiety that feels like restlessness, irritability, and the inability to settle. Not sleepy-anxiety. The wired, agitated, everything-feels-like-a-threat kind.
It works quickly, within 20-30 minutes of drinking it as a tea. It's gentle enough to use daily. It also supports digestion, which tends to suffer when we're stressed.
Best for: irritability, PMS mood swings, anxiety, overthinking, trouble sleeping
3. Nettle
Nettle is one of the most nutrient-dense plants on earth. For women specifically, it's foundational.
It's high in iron (critical during menstruation), magnesium (muscle relaxation, mood stability), calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K. When you feel depleted, drained, and like your body has nothing left — nettle is what replenishes the reserves.
It's also beneficial for hair health, which is deeply connected to iron and mineral levels. Many women who experience shedding and slow hair growth are simply mineral deficient.
Best for: post-period depletion, hair growth, energy, mineral replenishment
4. Chamomile
Chamomile is the most underestimated herb in your kitchen cabinet.
Most people think of it as a 'sleep tea.' It's much more than that. Chamomile works on the GABA receptors in your brain — the same pathway targeted by anti-anxiety medication — but gently and without side effects. It calms the nervous system, reduces inflammation, eases cramping, and helps digestive upset.
It's also one of the fastest-acting herbs for acute anxiety. When everything is too much right now, chamomile is what you make.
Best for: anxiety, PMS rage, cramps, inflammation, nervous system support
5. Ginger
Ginger is warming, circulatory, and anti-inflammatory — three things women's bodies constantly need.
It increases blood flow, which helps with cramping and the 'cold and heavy' feeling many women experience before and during their period. It reduces prostaglandins — the compounds responsible for uterine cramping. It settles nausea and digestive discomfort. And it gently lifts energy without the crash of caffeine.
Fresh ginger root steeped in hot water with honey is one of the simplest, most effective things you can make for yourself.
Best for: cramps, bloating, nausea, cold feeling before period, low energy, circulation
Where To Start
You don't need all five at once. Start with one herb that matches what you're dealing with most right now. Make it as a tea, consistently, for two weeks. Pay attention to what shifts.
Your body is responsive. It just needs the right inputs.
→ The GlowHerLane PMS Collection uses these herbs and more — matched to your specific moment in your cycle. Browse the collection.
https://glowherlane.com/collections/pms-collection