10 Herbal Pain Relievers To Try
There are many herbal ingredients that have pain relieving qualities. Below are some of the popular examples, as well as some of the best ways to use them.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice used heavily in Indian cuisine that also has incredible anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, some studies have found that turmeric extract can be just as powerful as ibuprofen when treating certain pains like knee pain. Turmeric can be consumed as a powder or as an extract within pills and tinctures.
Ginger
This common household spice also has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used for everything from joint pain to muscular pain. Ginger is particularly effective at easing stomach pain and many people also find it to be good at treating nausea.
Cannabis
Cannabis has seen more widespread medicinal use in recent years and has been legalized in many places around the world. It can be taken in many forms (most commonly smoked or in an edible) and can be bought at dispensaries listed at sites like Apothecarium.com. If you want the pain relieving properties of cannabis without the high, it’s also possible to buy CBD. This is a form of cannabis extract that is more widely legal due to the removal of the psychoactive ingredient THC.
Devil’s claw
Devil’s claw is a herb (so-called because it looks like a devil’s claw) that has anti-inflammatory properties when consumed. Many people with osteoarthritis and back pain claim that it has pain-relieving properties. You can learn more about devil’s claw here at WebMD.com.
Willow bark
Within willow bark is an ingredient called salicin, which is similar in effect to aspirin. Consequently, willow bark can be used to treat all kinds of minor pain from a headache to back pain. A great way to consume willow bark is as a medicinal tea. You can buy willow bark teabags online.
Valerian root
Valerian root is a herbal ingredient used primarily for relieving anxiety and treating insomnia. However, it can also help to reduce pain due to its stress relieving properties. Valerian root is available in all kinds of forms from tablets to oils.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the ingredient within chillies that gives them their spiciness. While consuming pure capsaicin can be a painful experience, applying capsaicin to the skin can have the opposite effect, helping to reduce joint and muscular aches. Just make sure to avoid contact with open wounds. Capsaicin is available as a topical oil, cream or gel.
Cloves
Eating dried cloves has long been a remedy for toothache. Cloves contain a natural anaesthetic called eugenol which helps relieve pain. You can buy clove oil which can be applied directly to sore areas with a cloth or consumed to relieve a stomach ache.
Feverfew
The aromatic leaves of the feverfew plant are one of the best herbal remedies for migraines. This is believed to be due to the presence of parthenolide in feverfew which affects the release of serotonin and prostaglandin – two hormones that dilate blood vessels in the brain during a migraine. You can consume feverfew leaves raw or dried, or as an extract in a pill or tincture.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera can have anti-inflammatory properties when applied as a topical cream, and can help improve wound healing. It is commonly used as a natural moisturiser to help reduce rashes and sunburn, however it can also help with joint pain and muscular pain.
