Natural Pain Remedies

Be it a muscle pull or injury to one's bones, pain receptors in our body make the sensation of pain a common experience for us. Some kind of pain may be due to serious conditions like arthritis, whereas, some other can be due to trivial reasons, like, sitting, bending, or walking in an incorrect position.

Although some are minor, certain types pain are chronic and can affect our daily way of living. There are several prescription or over-the-counter drugs that would offer quick relief from pain. However, these drugs possess certain side effects as well. Hence, the best way to ease any kind of body pain is to go for natural remedies.

White Willow Bark: A natural aspirin, white willow bark cures headache, joint pain and back pain. It can be taken in the form of capsules or can be used as poultice by steeping shredded bark in boiling water for an hour or two. Then, apply the poultice in the injured area.

Boswellia: The pain relieving properties of this herb come from the resin obtained from the frankincense tree. Boswellia has been found to hinder chemical reactions that cause inflammation. It is effective in curing swelling, pain, and morning stiffness.

Feverfew: This herb is an excellent option for curing headache caused due to migraine. Its effects as a natural pain reliever for muscle cramps, arthritis, and toothache has been known for centuries.

Ginger: Ginger root has natural compounds that prevent inflammation. It also helps in physical injury by increasing circulation of blood to the inflamed area. Some pieces of ginger can be added to the tea or can be soaked in the bathwater for a couple of hours.

Turmeric: Apart from ginger, turmeric is another spice that acts as a natural pain killer. Curcumin, the pain relieving compound in turmeric is the main ingredient that overpowers cytokines, the pro-inflammatory proteins.

Cayenne: Benefits of pain relieving properties of cayenne can be obtained by adding cayenne powder to juice or food. It can also be used topically by adding cayenne powder to a cream. Capsaicin, the active component of cayenne is known to be specially effective in curing pain due to shingles. It is one of the most effective natural pain killers for joint pain caused due to arthritis.

Bromelain: It is a protease enzyme that is obtained from the pineapple plant. It has anti-inflammatory properties that are very effective in alleviating pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Bromelain uses also include relief from musculoskeletal tension or inflammation caused due to trauma.

Basil: Another popular herb with a number of uses, basil is also included in the list of home remedies for pain. Other than curing cough and cold, regular consumption of basil leaves is known to reduce pain in the head and behind the eyes.

Arnica: Arnica has been a popular component of herbal medicine in Russia and the Swiss Alps. It is used in ointments that offer relief from pain caused due to bruising and muscle strain.

Exercise, physical massage, and therapies are some of the non-herbal ways for natural pain relief. Some of the options available in this area are:

Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is often advised for pain relief for those, who suffer from injuries or disabilities. This therapy consists of stretching, strengthening, and specific pain relieving exercises. The aim of these exercises is to relieve pain, promote healing and restore normal functional abilities of the affected parts of the body.

Massages: Massages, when used to cure pain is collectively also known as the massage therapy. It can be deep tissue massage, in which, muscle tension is released (as in Swedish massage) or reflexology, in which, pressure is applied to specific points on the body to alleviate pain. Popular forms of massages are hot stone massage, aromatherapy massage, and shiatsu.

Relaxation Techniques: The benefits of yoga and meditation in improving overall health has been known in certain cultures for many centuries. These two disciplines are also known to alleviate pain. Yoga is known to be very effective in improving muscle tone and flexibility of the body. Deep breathing and guided imagery can also relieve pain by releasing tension.

Peppermint oil, Eucalyptus oil, Rosemary oil along with cloves can also be used for pain remedy. Although these natural remedies have shown excellent results in alleviating pain, it is always advisable to have complete knowledge about the ingredients and proper ways using these methods. This is especially true for herbs.

As far as massages are concerned, always go for certified professionals, as there are particular sensitive points in the body that one needs to be careful of while pressing or massaging the area around.