Painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are commonly used to soothe our daily aches. Many of these over-the-counter drugs are doing more harm to your body and are widely overused for chronic pain. They are addictive and can cause serious damage to the liver, kidneys, and intestines. Therefore more and more people are seeking natural alternatives to ease pain and heal their body.
Here’s a list of the top 10 painkillers found in nearly every kitchen
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for ages in Ayurvedic medicine to fight inflammation, promote detoxification, repair tissues, relief pain, and improve overall health. Turmeric works as a powerful natural painkiller to ease chronic pain, muscle aches, back pain, toothaches, and arthritis pain. Turmeric can be used to flavor many of your dishes or can be added to tea, smoothie, or juice recipes.
FYI: always combine with black pepper to increase the bioavailability of turmeric’s active compound, curcumin.
2. Ginger
Ginger root, another powerful natural painkiller to fight inflammation and pain. It does a great job in treating chronic joint pain or arthritis. Ginger works well in tea, stir-fry dishes, soups, desserts and smoothies. Scroll down for a pain relieving ginger chai tea recipe. Some people are very sensitive to ginger, so add ginger gradually to your diet.
3. Chili peppers
If you like spicy food, then I have some good news for you. Capsaicin, the main compound of many hot peppers, has pain-relieving properties. It interferes and weakens pain signals going to your brain.
Capsaicin works wonders to treat joint pain, fibromyalgia, shingles, migraines, and headaches. If you can bear the taste add up to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper to one glass of water and drink for instant relief.
4. Garlic
Garlic has a long history of helping people cope with toothaches, ear infections, and arthritic pain. You can simply make your own garlic oil by simmering 3 crushed cloves in ½ cup olive oil for 2 minutes. Strain and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Gently rub, pre-warmed garlic oil on aching joints or muscles or add 2 drops of warm garlic oil in infected ear to find quick relief. For toothaches make a paste of garlic and a pinch of salt and apply on affected tooth.
5. Cloves
Cloves, another great natural remedy to ease tooth or gum pain. Simply chew on a clove and it will release its powerful painkilling substance, eugenol. If you can’t bear the taste make strong clove tea instead.
6. Cherries
Cherries are an excellent and yummy way to ease arthritis, gout, or chronic headaches. Cherries’ high levels of anthocyanins are responsible for their anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effect. These tiny compounds eliminate enzymes responsible for tissue inflammation and pain.
7. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a versatile natural remedy. It works wonders to heal and ease painful bouts of heartburn. ACV works alkalizing and helps your body to break down fat and protein more efficiently to avoid heartburn. If you often suffer from heartburn after a heavy meal, drink 1 glass of water with one tablespoons ACV before your meal or sip slowly after a meal to find relief.
8. White willow bark
White willow bark was once used as a natural form of aspirin by the Greeks. Its active compound salicin is well known for its pain relieving properties and has the same effect as the synthetic Aspirin on the market. It can treat various forms of pain going from back, joint, and muscle pain to head- and toothaches. Willow bark can be found in powder form, herbal teas, or in capsules.
9. Magnesium-rich foods
These days many people are showing signs of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium plays a key role in many of our bodily functions such as a normal nerve and muscle function. Many people find relief by adding more magnesium-rich foods to their diet, taking magnesium supplements, or Epsom salt baths.
Click here for more info.
10.Blueberries
Blueberries are the best natural remedy to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. They are loaded with tannins, which are very effective in killing the bad bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.
Pain Relieving Ginger Chai Tea
- 2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons dried black tea leaves
- 1 inch ginger, peeled and grated
- 2 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup almond milk (or any other milk of your choice)
- 2 teaspoons honey
Boil the water, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom for 10 minutes. Add the black tea leaves and simmer for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the almond milk under constant stirring. Strain, sweeten with honey and enjoy!
Next time try one of those powerful natural painkillers instead of rushing off to the pharmacy. If the pain persist, make sure to contact your doctor to find out what’s wrong.
