Putting blood to bloody good use
Image: Instagram @lyla_freechild
So you’ve made the transition to using a Wā cup. Bloody magnificent! You’ve reduced your monthly costs, you’re doing the right thing by the planet, and you’re getting to know your body in more intimate detail, just as friends should.
You might be wondering, what next? What other period-related fun stuff can I get up to?
Have you ever considered what you could be doing with your menstrual fluid other than washing it away down the pipes? There’s a veritable gold mine coming out of your body every month, there are so many things you can do with it! Here are just a few things you could do with your period blood besides flushing it away…
Health – did you know that you can keep an eye on your body’s health by taking note of the volume and length of your bleeding? The amount of fluid that you produce and how long you bleed for is very personal – what you need to know is what is normal for you. If this suddenly changes, then you might want to have a chat with your doctor.
You might have heard that the colour of your period blood can tell you about your body’s health, but in general the colour just depends on how long the blood has been exposed to air oxygenation. This is why your blood can be brown or dark red at the beginning and end of your period, and bright red in the middle.
One thing: if you bleed very heavily, to the point where it is inconvenient or a worry, or you experience significant pain, it’s still worth speaking to your doctor! Just because it is ‘normal’ to you, doesn’t mean that it can’t be helped!
Plants – menstrual blood contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which plants love and need to thrive. Think along the lines of blood and bone fertiliser. If you collect all your fluid and at the end of your cycle mix it with one part blood to nine parts water, you can use it to water your plants!
Some people online have said that this mixture can attract ants, although others have disputed this, so for your first go I’d recommend testing it on a plant that isn’t close to anywhere you’d particularly like ants to not be.
Mindfulness – many people feel shame and embarrassment about their periods, and as a result can feel disconnected from their bodies and the wonderful things they do. By collecting your menstrual fluid, rather than absorbing it into chemical-laced tampons and pads and then hurriedly stashing them away in the rubbish bin where no one can see them, you get to witness what your body does in real time. When you’re changing your cup, try pausing for a moment to recognise what you’re doing. Maybe inspect the fluid, observe the changes through your cycle. Get in touch with your body – it’s amazing!
Image: Instagram @allisonleefelt
Art – there are all kinds of badass artists who use their period blood to make incredible art. You could use it to make paint, or to make dye for fabric or wool; you could take photographs of it in all sorts of ways; you could use it as inspiration to draw/paint/collage what it looks like, or write poems or music about it. Clue has a cool article with lots of examples of period art and artists – have a read and get inspired!
If you’re witchy - you can use your menstrual fluid to cast spells. Healing, fertility, charging, and attraction spells have all been said to be especially ‘powered’ by menstrual blood. I’m not a witch myself so can’t give you any particular spells, but a search online will get you started on your magical journey.
These are just a few things that you can do with what your body naturally produces every month and you collect with your Wā cup. Do you do other things with your menstrual fluid? Let us know!
x Danielle
