Pain is a common ailment that affects many people at some point in their lives. Whether it’s a headache, muscle soreness, or chronic pain, it can greatly impact one’s quality of life.
While over-the-counter and prescription medications can provide relief, they often come with unwanted side effects. Let’s explore natural remedies that can ease or completely eliminate pain without the use of chemicals.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is a very popular essential oil that is often used to ease pain, inflammation and relaxation. It has been proven to reduce stress, enhance sleep and aid in wound healing.
While lavender essential oil may be beneficial to people of all ages, children should not be given it in large amounts. Instead, try mixing lavender oil with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, jojoba or coconut oil. This will make it easier for it to disperse through water.
Lavender oil has a number of other benefits. For example, it soothes insect bites, provides relief from pain and helps with coughs and colds.
It may also help ease tension headaches. In fact, studies have shown that it is effective at treating these types of headaches. You can apply lavender to a sore muscle or add a few drops to boiling water to relieve a headache.
CBD
If you’ve been looking for an alternative to pain medications, and you don’t like taking pills at all, you might consider using CBD gummies for pain relief. CBD is a naturally produced cannabinoid which interacts with the pain receptors in your body.
It can relieve back and joint pain and it may even help with migraines. CBD has been proven to reduce inflammation and discomfort associated with arthritis and other chronic conditions. It also has been linked to easing rheumatic pain.
CBD is not psychoactive and has no unpleasant side effects. But, it’s important to consult a physician before taking it. This is because it might interact with certain medication, including blood thinners.
While CBD is often used with THC, it’s important to choose a product that contains only cannabidiol.
Cloves
Cloves are one of the best natural remedies for pain. They have been used for centuries to fight toothaches, mouth sores, and digestive issues. However, cloves may have some side effects.
Eugenol is a substance found in cloves. It has been shown to inhibit inflammation and has antibacterial properties. This compound is also used in perfumes and vanilla extract.
Aside from its analgesic effect, eugenol is also thought to have anticancer properties. Researchers have studied the potential of cloves to reduce lung cancer in the early stages.
If you are experiencing a toothache, you can apply a little clove oil directly on the affected area. Leave it there for 20 minutes to ease the pain. You can also use a cotton ball dipped in clove oil.
Another method is to grind fresh whole cloves in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. This will release the oils. Then, the ground cloves can be applied between the gum and cheek. Once mixed with saliva, the tooth will be soothed.
Cloves are also used in a mouthwash. They can help bacterial overgrowth and intestinal worms. But you should always avoid them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Capsaicin
There are a number of pain relief treatments available, including capsaicin. Capsaicin is an ingredient found in chili peppers that is used to ease or completely eliminate pain.
Capsaicin can be applied to skin and joints to relieve pain. It is available in cream, lotion, liquid, and patch forms. The strength of the product you buy depends on the severity of your pain. If you are not sure what strength to choose, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Using capsaicin can help people who have a range of different types of pain, from fibromyalgia to neuropathic pain. However, capsaicin can also have some side effects. When applying capsaicin, you should avoid getting into the mouth, as well as contact with the eyes. You should also make sure your skin is dry before applying it.
If your health care provider has prescribed a topical capsaicin treatment, use it only for the specific indication. For example, you should never use it on sunburned skin or to treat open wounds.
There are a number of other drugs that can interact with topically applied capsaicin. If you have diabetes or heart problems, you should always speak to your doctor before using capsaicin.
Ginger
There are a number of studies that have shown that ginger can ease or completely eliminate pain. The effects of this herb are believed to be similar to those of ibuprofen. However, more research is needed to fully confirm the claims.
In general, ginger is a safe product to take. While there have been some reports of mild side effects, they are generally insignificant.
Most of the science based evidence suggests that ginger has a beneficial effect on inflammation. It also has analgesic effects and boosts the immune system. This is why it is often used in medicine as a pain reliever and antioxidant.
One of the best ways to reap the benefits of ginger is to eat it. For example, adding fresh, ground ginger to stir-fries or soups is a great way to enjoy this tasty ingredient.
Another good way to ingest ginger is through a supplement. If you are interested in trying ginger, consult a health care provider first. Some ginger supplements have additives that may pose a risk to your health.
Turmeric
If you’re looking for natural ways to ease pain, you may consider turmeric. This spice is widely used in curries and has therapeutic uses for a variety of diseases. But if you’re thinking about taking it, it’s important to know more about it.
Turmeric is an herb that grows in India and Central America. It can be ground into a powder or taken orally.
Curcumin, the primary active ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These are believed to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation.
Several studies have shown that it can also help to alleviate pain from knee osteoarthritis. Although more research is needed, there is evidence that turmeric can reduce the pain associated with this condition.
One study found that people who took turmeric for 12 weeks reported less pain and improved functionality. In addition, it seemed to protect the body against heart disease and cancer.
Other studies have investigated the effects of turmeric on arthritis. Some of these have shown that turmeric can reduce the inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of treatment that involves the placement of fine needles into specific points on the body. These needles trigger biological processes that may relieve pain and reduce stress.
When acupuncture is performed correctly, it has little to no side effects. However, there are some risks.
For instance, the patient may experience minor bruising and bleeding. It’s best to talk to a healthcare provider before undergoing acupuncture. The patient may also be at an increased risk of bleeding if he or she has a blood disorder or if he or she is taking blood thinners.
One study found that acupuncture helped patients with sciatica, a condition that causes pain in the lower back. Another study showed that acupuncture improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective at relieving the pain and stress that comes with migraines.
Conclusion
If you are looking to ease or completely eradicate pain, there are a handful of natural cures worth considering. The best part is that many of them are ostensibly non-prescriptive. This means that they can be added to other more traditional approaches to pain management.
Take the time to read up on your chosen pain management method. The best way to do this is to find a reputable health professional, who will have the opportunity to talk you through your options.