Interview | Menstruation with Xula Herbs
This month I’ve interviewed an amazing colleague and founder of Xula Herbs, Karina Primelles. Xula was one of the first herbal products for menstrual, hormonal, and menopausal relief that I noticed pop up around 5 years ago. I was ecstatic to see a younger, women of color brand sharing the same message as me — to inspire other femmes to enhance their health via their menstrual cycles so they can have all the energy and best mood so we can take over the world. 😉
In the past 9 months, I’ve been invited to be a part of their expert panel offering knowledge and education around periods and eating for hormonal health for their website and social platforms. With such great things Xula is doing for others, I want to share their work by introducing Karina.
Karina is brilliant at creating herbal formulations for period pain and hormones. She suffered debilitating period pain so she decided to take her health in her own hands to formulate a blend for menstrual cramps and since then she has moved on to make an array of medicine for hormonal health from period years to yonder.
What is your favorite natural remedy or herb/s that help you alleviate menstrual symptoms? How do you do them/ingest or take them?
My favorite natural remedy for alleviating menstrual symptoms is a combination of xula’s happy period drops with our period daze pre-rolls. Period Daze is fantastic if what you are seeking is more immediate relief. It contains a combination of smokable herbs such as cramp bark and chamomile that relax the muscles and calm the nervous system. At the same time, I always take Happy Period, as soon as my period starts as the cannabinoids in these drops really help manage overall bloating and inflammation. As someone with endometriosis, I have found that when I am proactive about taking these drops, the likelihood of having really bad cramps decreases significantly.
It’s easier to drink water in the summer because the weather is so warm and find that many people stop drinking as much as weather cools down. How does hydration affect menstrual cramps and what are the best ways to stay adequately hydrated?
Staying hydrated is crucial for managing menstrual cramps during the summer. Dehydration can exacerbate bloating and inflammation, making cramps more uncomfortable. I am pretty bad at taking water on it’s own so I try to make herbal infusions that I prep the night before. Something I have been been really into recently is rosemary with mint. I also incorporate hydrating foods like cucumber, and oranges into my diet — there are still leftover melons and watermelons in hot temp regions, so those too if you can find ripe ones.
Are there any specific strategies or practices to help mitigate hormone imbalances?
Food is so key! I incorporate vegetables in my diet everyday and limit the amount of sugar and alcohol I consume.
Prioritize sleep. Getting enough sleep allows your body to regulate hormones properly.
We all know exercise is a pillar to health. And exercise helps your liver break down excess hormones that lead to harsh PMS and irregular cycles. As we get back into the routine of school and work, how do you suggest someone get it in when it feels like there’s no time for it?
Regular exercise plays a significant role in maintaining hormonal equilibrium. Not only does exercise help release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress levels but it also supports blood circulation, which alleviates menstrual symptoms. There are so many apps and You Tube videos with 10-15 minute workout videos that you can do in the morning, in between meetings, or after work. Anything works, it’s just a matter of prioritizing it and making it happen. Walking daily can really help maintain your hormones in check and is one I personally do daily for my hormones and mood.
I love talking about exercise. We have been taught to go so hard with exercise but depending on your stress levels and your cycle phase it, it can create more harm than good. What are your thoughts on that and what types of exercise do you like to do to prevent PMS symptoms or offer relief to those pesky symptoms?
Agreed. High intensity workouts all cycle round can elevate cortisol levels leading to imbalanced hormones. And if your primary goal is to lose weight, your body has a harder time shedding it when it’s put through intense workouts during your luteal and bleeding phase.
When dealing with menstrual cramps, I prefer low-impact exercises that are gentle on the body. Two types of exercise that have worked well for me are:
Yoga: Practicing yoga poses that focus on stretching and opening the hips and lower back can help relieve menstrual cramps.
Swimming: Being in the water can provide a sense of weightlessness, which eases pressure on the abdomen and reduces discomfort.
Love it. And movement is a form of self-care. What are your top 3 self-care and relaxation practices that you are prioritizing this fall?
I’ve just moved to Colorado so I’m looking forward to being out in nature A LOT but we’re also doubling down at Xula Herbs so balance is key.
Making sure I bring herbal teas and tinctures while I’m out and about in nature and drinking them while at home.
Taking breaks: Giving myself permission to take breaks and rest when needed to avoid burnout.
Practicing deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. If I am feeling stressed, I try to remember to take 10 deep breaths in which my exhale is about 8 seconds long and my inhale is 4 seconds long.
We’re all so different and there are so many tools out there, from things that cost money to things that are free, like breathing and sleeping. Every month I’m resonating with something different and I find that to be a fun part of the process because our body’s get bored, they plateau, and certain tools fizz out.
We encourage you to explore and find what works best for you.
Find Xula’s products here and use code NATIVEPALMS for 20% off your purchase.
Let me know: What PMS symptoms do you suffer from?
I will take note and create tools with you in mind.
