7 natural pain relievers to manage aches and pains

Whether you have a backache, toothache, or any other pain in the body, you tend to reach out for medications. While they give you instant relief, prolonged use of medicines can increase the risk of side effects and lead to problems. If you are sick of consuming too many medicines to address these problems, you can try natural painkillers. Thanks to my mother’s wisdom, I have learned of many natural pain relievers that can help you manage the problem. Turns out, these are not just approved by my mom but by Ayurveda too!

According to Ayurveda, natural painkillers provide relief without causing any serious side effects on your health. If you experience pain often and want some relief, you can try some natural pain relievers. While these are good home remedies, they are not an alternative to medication.

7 natural pain relievers you must try

If you are tired of popping pills every time you get pain anywhere in the body, try these natural pain relievers instead:

1. Lavender essential oil

Essential oils are known for their pain-relieving properties. One that you can try is lavender essential oil. A staple in aromatherapy, lavender essential oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can calm your mind and body. It can control serotonin and acetylcholine, which are responsible for the detection of pain, says Ayurveda expert Dr Chanchal Sharma. A study published in the Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that lavender oil aromatherapy can help reduce pain in people.

How to use lavender oil?

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You can either apply it to your skin or use it as an essential oil. You can use it as a warm compress, bath, and aromatherapy.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is a natural spice that can be easily found in any kitchen and is known for its healing and pain-relieving properties. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that turmeric is an effective way to relieve pain. “The compound named curcumin is found in this spice and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They have the same mechanism as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which are known to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. They have fewer side effects in comparison to any other painkillers. Turmeric is a natural painkiller that can also help you relieve bone pain caused by osteoarthritis,” adds the expert.

How to add turmeric to your diet?

One of the best ways to include turmeric in your diet is by drinking golden milk. You can have curries, stews, rice, roasted vegetables, smoothies, soups, tea, and several other dishes.

3. Ginger

An aromatic spice, ginger is often used in traditional as well as modern medicine, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. A study published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage found ginger can help relieve pain just like ibuprofen, which is a popular painkiller. Another study conducted by the American College of Rheumatology found that people who consumed ginger capsules twice a day experienced relief from osteoarthritis. Due to the presence of shogaol and gingerol, ginger works as a natural painkiller and synthesizes prostaglandins. It can reduce swelling naturally and can be very useful for patients with migraine, menstrual pain, stiffness, and arthritis.

How to add ginger to your diet?

There are several ways to add ginger to your diet. You can make ginger tea, smoothies or you can add them to soups, stews and curries.

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that helps relieve pain and maintain the natural pathways of energy in your body. To reduce pain, they insert a needle at the origin of pain in your body that helps your body produce serotonin. The production of serotonin makes you feel happy and reduces stress. This method of reducing pain is very effective for patients with lower back pain, knee pain, tension headaches, and neck pain, explains Dr Sharma.

5. Cloves

A native to Indonesia, clove has always been a part of traditional Indian cuisine. It contains eugenol which makes it act as a natural painkiller and helps you get relief from toothaches, colds, nausea, and headaches. A study published in the journal Heliyon found that clove can help decrease inflammation and alleviate pain.

How to add clove to your diet?

You can add clove to a spice blend. You can try making tea and add some cloves to it. Cloves can also be added to soups and stews, beverages, curries, spices and smoothies.

6. Omega 3 fatty acids

Omega 3 fatty acid has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in balancing Vata dosha, which is responsible for causing pain. It can be used to treat arthritis and bowel diseases and reduce the intensity of any kind of pain.

A study published in the journal Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology found that omega-3 fatty acids can help you get relief from bone and joint pain. It may even help you deal with lower back and thigh pain caused by menstrual pain. A study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology found that people who consume omega-3 fatty acids can help get rid of menstrual pain.

How to add omega-3 fatty acids to your diet?

Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, or sardines are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids which you can add to your diet. You can try some plant-based sources such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and hemp seeds.

7. Capsaicin

Neuralgia is a term for a specific kind of pain that capsaicin is used to treat (burning or shooting pain in the nerves). Additionally, capsaicin is used to treat mild discomfort from rheumatoid arthritis and sprains and strains of the muscles. “Capsaicin is an abstract from chili pepper that helps to reduce pain. These compounds can calm sensory neurons. Researchers concluded that capsaicin can be very helpful in the treatment of pain caused by psoriasis, arthritis, and other neuro-related pains,” says the expert.

How to add it to your diet?

Include chili peppers that contain more capsaicin in your dishes. You can add these spices to hot sauces, spicy marinades, infused oils, snacks, and different curries.

Keep in mind!

Make sure the quantity of these herbs should be in balanced amount because excessive use of any substance might be harmful to your health. Ensure these herbs are bought from an authentic place. A person who is pregnant or allergic to these herbs should avoid them or consult a doctor before adding them to your diet.