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Natural PMS Symptom Relief: Cacao Matcha Smoothie
It is estimated that as least 85% of women suffer from sort of PMS. A smaller percentage of women (between 3-8%) suffer from a severe form of PMS known as PMDD. Unfortunately, I'm part of that small percentage.
Common symptoms of PMS include lethargy, acne, cramping, sore muscles, cravings, mood swings, and others.
Common symptoms of PMDD include anxiety, depression, extreme moodiness, and extreme anger/rage, as well as the symptoms of PMS. Some women with PMDD even experience suicidal thoughts.
The symptoms of both PMS and PMDD both let up when menstrual bleeding begins.
PMS and PMDD can be debilitating and make every day life difficult during those hormonal times of your cycle. Personally, I experience my PMDD symptoms during ovulation up until my period starts. This is pretty typical of both PMS and PMDD.
While there is no cure for PMS or PMDD, the symptoms can be managed through many remedies. Some remedies work better than others for different people, it really just depends on your own body and specific hormonal imbalances.
When I found out I had PMDD, I did hours and hours of research. Through trial and elimination, I've found a remedy that truly helps me. I wanted to share this smoothie recipe in hopes that it will help others that suffer from PMS or PMDD!
The main ingredients in this smoothie all serve a purpose:
Cacao Powder: Cacao is high in magnesium, which can help combat moodiness, promote calmness, and relax tense muscles. (Interesting fact: the reason women typically crave chocolate when experiencing PMS is because of low magnesium levels!) Cacao also contains iron which is helpful when the bleeding starts. This is my favorite brand of cacao powder.
Maca Powder: Maca is an herb known for promoting women's health and balancing out hormones. Maca is also energizing. If you're a beginner user of maca, I recommend opting for gelatinized maca powder instead of raw. Raw maca can be hard on the stomach.
Matcha Tea: Matcha tea helps to enhance your mood and is also high in magnesium. Not to mention, it is packed with antioxidants and an all-around health powerhouse.
Almond Milk: Being another ingredient that is full of magnesium, almond milk is the perfect base for this smoothie. Not to mention, it doesn't contain potentially problematic hormones like cow's milk does.
Cacao Matcha Smoothie Recipe
This PMS relief smoothie recipe couldn't be any easier to make.
Simply blend together 1.5 cups of unsweetened almond milk, 1 tablespoon of cacao powder, ½ teaspoon of matcha tea, and 1 teaspoon of maca powder. If you want the smoothie to be a little sweet to combat the bitter cacao, I like to add a half of a tablespoon of maple syrup. Occasionally, I blend in a handful of spinach for some extra iron but that is completely optional.
And...you're done! See? SO easy!
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups almond milk
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- ½ teaspoon matcha powder
- 1 teaspoon maca powder
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup - - optional
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together.
- Drink up!
Notes
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! What a tasty and natural way to get some relief!
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What else can I add maca to for a nutrient boost?
Kayley says
Very yummy and comforting. I actually think it helped reduce my cramps shortly after drinking it. This is going to become my new staple.
Megan says
I’m drinking this right now! I made it with 1tsp of matcha instead (because I used this in replace of coffee this morning and wanted the extra caffeine) and I made it into a hot drink by heating it up on the stove after I blended it and used date paste instead of maple syrup( also high in iron magnesium and potassium!) and sprinkled a little cayenne paper on top to warm me up. (I’m up here in Minnesota! Lol)
Thanks for this recipe!!! Love it!
Stacy says
Hi! I came across your blog because this recipe showed up on my Pinterest feed. I feel like it is heaven sent. I have not been officially diagnosed with PMDD but I feel like I have every symptom described above 🙁
One question, do you also experience high scoaif anxiety during this time; like you just need to be alone because you have a difficult time focusing and holding a conversation? I'm really excited to try this smoothie recipe and learn more about how to cope with PMDD naturally. Thank you 🙂
Meg says
This drink is absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipe 🙂 I LOVE coffee, and I have a really difficult time abstaining from drinking it daily since the smell alone is enough to make me weak at the knees. This was satisfying, delicious and all the ingredients combined are perfect for hormonal balancing.
Erica says
Thank you Karissa. I suffer from PMDD and am having a partucularly bad time this month. I will see if this smoothie keeps me going for the rest of the morning. Thanks again.
Miranda says
I love this recipe!!!!! I make this drink all the time! Thank you 🙂
Theresa says
I came across this on Pinterest and love the idea! But as I was reading, your blog says 2 tsp maca powder and the recipe card says 1 tsp; I just want to clarify how much maca powder I should use?
Karissa says
1 teaspoon! I changed it after realizing that most people haven't used maca powder before - using too much at first can cause stomach trouble. Best to slowly increase the amount over time.
Janneke says
i'm gonna try this thanks from the Netherlands
Karissa says
Hope it helps! 🙂
Jenni says
I too suffer from PMDD and needed to try this. However, I tried it without the matcha as I'm still awaiting receiving it through Amazon. I added frozen ripe bananas for sweetness and I read that bananas are suppose to alleviate cramps, it was so good. Can wait to try it with Matcha. Thanks for the recipe.
Lennae says
Oh my!!!! I love Cacao and I love Matcha!!!
Eve says
Thank you for posting this. I LOVE matcha, so I was Pinterest-surfing for recipes when I came across yours. I had never heard of maca and its lady benefits, so this has intrigued me, and I've ordered some for myself. Can't wait to reap the benefits. Since I don't have maca right now, I made this recipe without the maca and added a frozen banana and ice. So refreshing on a hot summer day, and gave me just the energy and alertness that I was seeking. Cheers!
Karissa says
Glad it helped you out! It's such a great pick-me-up. Your version sounds delicious!
Nikki Dolan says
Not sure if you know the answer but I make smoothies regularly for breakfast for my daughters and myself. I usually make a big batch for all three of us, is the matcha, maca and cacao powder safe for kiddos, 3 and 5? I can always add that stuff after I pour out theirs but was just curious? I also read your strawberry matcha one so that's where I got curious, obviously they don't need PMS relief just yet
Karissa says
Hi, Nikki! From what I have read, while matcha isn't necessarily "dangerous" for kids to drink, it's not recommended because it contains a significant amount caffeine (about 34mg per gram of matcha). However, maca is considered safe for children. Cacao powder is also safe - it has a small amount of caffeine naturally since it's derived from the cocoa bean but nothing I would be too concerned about. I hope this helps!
Nikki Dolan says
Great thank you for your help!! I thought I heard matcha had caffeine. I can just add that afterwards but definitely want to get the PMS smoothie for myself.
Brittany says
Absolutely loving your blog! Such great content! Love from Los Angeles! <3
Karissa says
Thank you!
Chanel says
Where did you get the bottled form of gelatinized red maca root?
Karissa says
I found that at Whole Foods.
Jenine says
I found some by Vega brand around $20 for 90g powder at Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada) in the vitamins and supplements section.
I love this recipe too. I've made it several times already.
BOlive says
Karissa,
How often do you drink this? I also suffer from PMDD. I've tried medicating but the side effects weren't worth it. I'm hopeful that this will help me as well.
Karissa says
I try to drink at least every day when my symptoms are bad (from the start of ovulation to the start of my period.) I hope it helps!
Dylan says
So many superfoods! I love the combo. All about matcha right now 😉
Karissa says
It's good stuff!
nico says
Molasses is also full of iron and magnesium which is great for reducing cramps and sore muscles.
Karissa says
Great to know! Thanks!