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Top 15 Herbs For Natural Pain Relief (We Can’t Get Enough Of #5)
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There isn’t a person on this planet who hasn’t experienced some type of pain at some point in their lives. We are born in pain and will no doubt experience pain on some level throughout our lives.
Chronic pain, which is defined as pain lasting a minimum of six months, can be the most debilitating of all. It causes sleepless nights, moodiness, lack of energy, and puts a great deal of stress on the body. There are estimates that claim more than 80 million adults in America have chronic pain. This costs more than $100 billion in healthcare funds every year.
Even acute pain that is short term is still something no one wants to live with. Pain is usually a signal from your body that something is wrong. Ignoring pain can lead to deadly consequences affecting both mind and body.
Most people turn to over-the-counter pain killers, such as ibuprofen, but these often have their own undesirable consequences, such as a lowered immune system, stomach and kidney malfunction, as well as delivering your liver a difficult punch.
Why deal with the dangerous side effects of synthetic pain killers when there are plenty of herbs that will do the same job without the dangers of pain killers?
Please note that if you are in severe pain, this could indicate that you have a serious medical problem. Please do not self-medicate or self-diagnose: See your doctor for professional advice. If you are taking prescription medications, or if you are under a doctor’s care for any type of health condition, please consult with your physician before consuming any herbal remedies, as there can be serious drug interactions.
1. Peppermint
This is one of the most common pain relievers for minor pain such as excessive gas, bloating, headaches, muscle pain, skin irritations, toothaches, and joint pain. Peppermint (mentha piperita) is most often consumed as tea. You can also consume supplements after speaking with your doctor about the proper dosage.
2. Ginger
Nothing like going right to the kitchen for some pain relief! Ginger is an anti-inflammatory herb that has been used for thousands of years. Ginger is great for headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, and cramps. One 2005 study found that ginger is even more effective than other anti-inflammatory compounds such as aspirin. Most people consume ginger as a tea, but you can also use it as a compress, or add some to a warm bath for instant relief. Be sure to breath in the healing steam when you are making tea!
3. Arnica
You have probably seen creams and lotions in your local drug store that contain arnica. This is a terrific herb to rub into the muscles after a hard day of playing sports, or even after muscle injuries. Arnica is a well-known pain reliever popular among yoga instructors and athletes. This flowering herb comes to us from Europe and has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds.
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