The sedentary lifestyle most of us led has increased in chronic health conditions. This, in turn, has led to increased dependence on pharmaceutical drugs for quick relief. These pills, when used long-term, can increase chances for liver failure and myocardial infarction.
So, what’s the alternative? Choose natural remedies to manage your pain.
When used in moderation, herbal products are safe to consume as they can rarely cause side effects. When compared to NSAIDs, alternative medicine works out to be cheaper and is not addictive.
Combining plant-based options with relaxation techniques, diet, and regular exercise can work wonders for your body by alleviating inflammation and pain.
Top 8 Natural Remedies for Managing Pain
Here are eight natural remedies that are surprisingly effective.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric, a deep orange-yellow color powder obtained from the roots of a flowering plant called Curcuma longa, is a spice popular in Thai and Indian cuisine. More importantly, it is traditionally used in Ayurveda for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is commonly used to prevent pain and discomfort proactively and relieve chronic pain (especially from rheumatoid arthritis) and gastrointestinal distress. The active compound responsible here is curcumin, which has minimal to no side effects.
2. Cannabis
One of the most effective options to relieve pain is cannabis. It is a preferred alternative to traditional painkillers (including opioids) because it is safer. Apply it topically, keep it under the tongue, ingest it, or use it in a vaporizer to obtain its benefits. To smoke, it is easy to buy hash online in individual states.
Be it fibromyalgia, migraines, cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain, or any other type of chronic pain; cannabis can alleviate pain symptoms. This is because of two of its active compounds – cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, resulting in pain control.
CBD oil and tinctures are great options to go for if you are looking to get the goodness of cannabidiol without smoking cannabis. Find out how you can choose the best kinds of CBD in this quick article.
3. Feverfew
Feverfew, dubbed as “medieval aspirin,” is a flowering plant native to the Balkans and Asia. Its leaves contain a compound called parthenolide, which interferes with the action of prostaglandin and serotonin in the body. Through this mechanism, it can decrease the frequency and severity of migraines.
Feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties and has been found to inhibit cancer cells. It is thus used to treat or prevent nausea, diarrhea, asthma, psoriasis, irregular menstrual periods, and more. Both topical and oral use is safe for short-term treatment.
However, pregnant women shouldn’t use it until further research results are available.
4. White Willow Bark
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White willow bark is among the oldest recorded painkillers in human history. People chewed on it to reduce inflammation and fever, alleviating pain. Now, you can find it in the form of tablets, liquid, powder, and capsules. These contain about 15% salicin, which is an active compound.
Salicin converts to salicylic acid in the body and acts in a way similar to NSAIDs to ease pain and discomfort. It is especially indicated for patients suffering from osteoarthritis, low back pain, and headaches.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil, an aromatic hybrid herb, has long been a staple in people’s cabinets as a mouthwash. It has a refreshing and cool odor because of its menthone content. However, more important is its other active compound – menthol, which has local anesthetic properties.
Menthol naturally alleviates discomfort when used topically (with a carrier oil) or swallowed (as capsules). It is thus used to relieve symptoms of IBS like gas, bloating, indigestion, and pain. It is also utilized to treat migraines and the common cold.
6. Cloves
Cloves, dried aromatic flower buds, are native to the regions of South America and Asia. Pressing a whole clove against your gum or wiping clove oil at the point of pain provides immediate relief from tooth and gum irritations. It is also used in toothpaste to prevent sensitivity.
Clove contains an active compound called eugenol, which has anesthetic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Owing to this, clove is also used to heal oral ulcers, anal tears, hangovers, excessive sweating, and more.
7. Boswellia
The resin of the Boswellia tree has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. It’s also called the Indian frankincense and is available as a decoction, cream, tablet, or capsule.
Four Boswellic acids have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, as they interfere with the formation of inflammation-causing molecules called leukotrienes. This herbal extract is thus used effectively to treat arthritis pain, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and asthma, among other conditions.
8. Chili Pepper
This one is perhaps the most surprising of the lot – chili peppers. Certain varieties, native to the Americas, like Tabascos, cayenne, and jalapenos, contain capsaicin. The same chemical responsible for making food spicy is used in medicated lotions and creams to relieve muscle and joint pain.
Capsaicin, when used topically, blocks substance P that is a key pain messenger in the body. With regular use, it can significantly relieve pain from backaches, bruising, arthritis, shingles, psoriasis, and sprains.
If you have a cold, mixing chopped chili with your food will help drain your sinus and nasal passages.
Final Thoughts
If you are living with pain, consider using one of these eight natural remedies to manage it. These work effectively as natural painkillers and don’t cause any known side effects. By finding one that works for your symptoms, you can avoid synthetic drugs and their potential long-term effects.
