Many people are now turning to natural products instead of pills when experiencing pain. This is largely due to the risks associated with pharmaceutical drugs, especially painkillers, becoming more apparent in recent years. These risks range from death, to addiction, depression, and stomach ulcers.
Natural painkillers have been found to be effective for reducing pain without the harmful side effects. Herbal remedies, which are plant-based, specifically have been found to help with pain management and inflammation. Fortunately, many of these products can be found in your cupboard, grocery store, or local pharmacy.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been around for thousands of years. Often found in curry, turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant that prevents cells from being damaged. Turmeric as a pain reliever has been seen with arthritic pain and heartburn, but is also commonly used for indigestion, ulcers, upset stomach, infections, and even cancer. You can add turmeric to your food, drink it as a tea, or buy it as capsules.
Cloves
You may use cloves to spice up pies, but as a medicine they can relieve a variety of different types of pain, including headaches, arthritic inflammation, and toothaches. This is because cloves contain the natural pain reliever eugenol, and can easily be used in capsule, powder or oil form. Cloves can also help reduce nausea and treat colds.
Bromelain
Bromelain is most commonly seen in pineapple and has been found to lead to whole-body reduction of inflammation and pain relief. Bromelain can be taken as supplements, but can also be consumed by juicing pineapple, especially if drunk on an empty stomach.
Willow Bark
Willow bark has been around for centuries for pain relief. This is because willow bark contains the chemical salicin, which is effective for reducing inflammation and fever, and similar to what is found in aspirin. To experience the positive effects of willow bark, you can actually chew on the bark itself, but willow bark is also sold in capsules or as a tea.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is what makes peppers hot. This herb manages pain by tricking the body to release pain-relieving endorphins. Simply eat peppers to relieve digestive discomfort, or buy capsaicin-containing creams that can help with arthritic and nerve pain. However, avoid touching your eyes after using any capsaicin products.
Ginger
Ginger, originally used in by the Chinese thousands of years ago, is believed to help with joint and muscle pain. Ginger contains phytochemicals that can reduce inflammation, and is also believed to relieve pain related to arthritis, headaches, and menstrual cramps.
Devil’s Claw
This South African herb eases muscle tension and pain in the back, shoulders and neck, but devil’s claw is commonly used for arthritic pain. This herb can be taken by directly by the teaspoon or else made into a tea.
Other herbs like ginseng, kava kava, and valerian root are believed to help with different tensions and pains as well. Ginseng has been used for fibromyalgia, kava kava for tension headaches, and valerian root for spasms and cramps. However, there is less evidence for these herbs, so you are advised to use them with caution.
Pain, no matter a toothache, backache, or inflammation, is difficult to ignore. Pain can disrupt your day-to-day life and keep you from being happy. Luckily, there are safe ways, like these herbal remedies, to help manage your pain. You can find many of these pain relief medications in Kennesaw, GA, at your local pharmacy.
