The 10 best herbal remedies to relieve pain Leave a comment
A natural alternative to analgesics.
Looking for natural pain relief? Look no further Here are our 10 best herbal remedies for pain.
Pain is a common problem. We all experience it at some time in our lives, be it a headache after a long and stressful day, a muscle strain after exercise, or the chronic pain of conditions such as arthritis.
While many times the pain will go away on its own after a few days, people suffering from chronic pain may need some additional help to control their condition. And with the media flooded with reports on the dangers of opioids, many would prefer a more natural alternative. Fortunately, there are countless options available to relieve natural pain. Many of these are herbal remedies that have been proven for thousands of years.
In this article, we discuss the best herbs for pain relief and how they could help you.
How do herbal remedies work to relieve pain?
Before we get caught, let’s take a quick look at how herbal remedies can help relieve pain.
Most of the herbs in our top 10 work thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the body’s built-in response to an injury or infection. It is a natural and healthy process, which allows us to know that something is wrong in a particular area by causing redness, swelling, and pain.
Although inflammation can be uncomfortable, it is a normal part of the healing process and should be turned off once the problem has been resolved. However, when the inflammation does not stop for some reason, this can cause chronic pain.
Chronic inflammation has also been linked to other serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and some forms of cancer. With all this in mind, it seems that reducing inflammation is very beneficial!
So, without further ado, let’s start. These are our 10 best herbal remedies to relieve pain:
The 10 best herbal remedies to relieve pain
There are a variety of herbs available that can offer pain relief, but not all are the same. In our top 10, we have tried to identify the herbs that have the most evidence supporting their use.
However, our list is not exhaustive, and not all of these herbs will be suitable for everyone. It is recommended that you do your own research and talk to a medical professional before taking any of these natural pain remedies.
# 10. Maritime pine bark (Pycnogenol)
Pycnogenol is extracted from the bark of maritime pine. The tree is native to Mediterranean countries and has been used as an herbal remedy for more than 2000 years. Pycnogenol contains many active ingredients, including catechin, taxifolin, procyanidins and phenolic acid. It is believed to improve circulation to promote healing and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Pycnogenol usually does not cause side effects, although some people experience mild stomach discomfort. It should not be used by people taking immunosuppressive or corticosteroid medications because it can improve immune function.
# 9. Evening Primrose
Evening primrose is rich in gamma-linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Evening primrose also contains other beneficial compounds, including phenols. Studies have found that Evening Primrose can help with the pain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with RA found that the herb helped reduce both morning stiffness and pain.
Evening primrose is considered safe for short-term use, although its long-term side effects are unknown. It can cause side effects, including headaches and stomach aches, and should not be taken by pregnant women.
# 8. Cat’s claw
Cat’s claw is a plant native to Central and South America. It is named after the small claw-shaped spines that cover its stems. Cat’s Claw is rich in flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, tannins, alkaloids, and sterols. It is used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Cat’s Claw does not appear to produce serious side effects when taken in moderation. However, it should be avoided during pregnancy. Cat’s claw is traditionally made as a tea, but it is also available as a supplement.
# 7. Green tea
Green tea is well known for its antioxidant effects, but only recently have its anti-inflammatory properties come to light. In addition, green tea is believed to have a protective effect on cartilage, which means it could be useful for people with osteoarthritis pain.
For green tea to be effective, it is recommended that you drink 3 to 4 cups every day. If this seems too much, you can also buy green tea extract as a supplement. Although green tea is low in caffeine, you may want to avoid drinking it just before bedtime.
# 6. Incense
Incense, also known as olibanum, is a resin extracted from the Boswellia tree that is native to India, East Africa, and the Middle East. It has been used as a herbal pain remedy for thousands of years and is believed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic effects. Incense can be especially useful for degenerative joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. Incense side effects are rare, but some people experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms after taking this herb.
# 5. White willow bark
White Willow contains chemical salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the liver. If this sounds familiar, it is because salicylic acid is also a metabolite of aspirin. The use of White Willow for pain dates back to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. The herb has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
The white willow bark should be avoided by anyone who cannot take aspirin. This includes children and patients with gastrointestinal disorders, poorly controlled diabetes, and renal or hepatic dysfunction. It can cause side effects, including stomach irritation, although these are usually mild.
# 4. Chiles (Capsaicin)
Capsaicin is a chemical produced by chilli peppers and is a popular ingredient in many topical pain creams. It works by deactivating nerve endings in the area where it is applied for a local anaesthetic effect. Capsaicin is useful for many types of pain, including musculoskeletal pain and neuropathy.
Side effects include a burning sensation in the local area. Therefore, creams containing capsaicin should be applied sparingly and tested first on a small skin patch.
# 3 Ginger
Ginger has been well researched as an herbal remedy for pain. Although the evidence is somewhat inconsistent, one study showed that patients with osteoarthritis experienced benefits equal to diclofenac (a popular anti-inflammatory medication). It can also be useful for musculoskeletal and rheumatic pain.
The reason why ginger occupies such a prominent place on our list is the fact that it is so readily available and causes few side effects. Try adding ginger to your daily meals or make a cup of relaxing ginger tea.
# 2 Turmeric
Turmeric has been a staple of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for thousands of years. It is closely related to ginger and contains the active compound curcumin. Curcumin is known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects and has been well studied as a herbal pain remedy.
Curcumin can cause mild stomach discomfort when taken in high doses. However, it should be safe to add it to your daily meals. To increase its absorption, try taking turmeric along with a small amount of healthy fat and some black pepper. Black pepper can increase the bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2000%!
# 1 Cannabis
Well, we admit, cannabis was always going to be at the top of our list! However, this is not without a good reason, since there is much evidence that marijuana is effective for pain. The herb contains cannabinoids such as THC and CBD (among others), terpenes and other beneficial compounds such as flavonoids. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and can increase the relaxation of anyone who has trouble sleeping due to pain.
Of course, cannabis can also cause side effects. In addition to feeling high, these include dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, anxiety, and hunger. However, these effects are usually temporary and are more likely to occur when cannabis is consumed in excess.
If you prefer to benefit from cannabis to relieve pain without the high, or if you do not live in a marijuana-friendly state, you can always try non-intoxicating CBD oil.
The 10 best herbal remedies for pain relief: final thoughts
So, there it is, our 10 best herbal remedies to relieve pain. But before finishing, we have a couple of words of caution. First of all, you should always make sure you buy your herbs from an accredited source since the market is poorly regulated and some cannabis products may be of poor quality, fake or contaminated.
Second, just because a remedy is herbal, does not necessarily mean that it is safe. As you can see, many herbal remedies can cause side effects and should not be taken by certain people. You should be careful with herbal remedies if:
● Pregnant or breastfeeding.
● Take another medicine.
● Suffer from liver or kidney dysfunction, or another chronic disease.
● About to undergo surgery.
● Elderly or very young.
Even if you are healthy, you should consult a medical professional before beginning any herbal treatment. Do your research and be careful, and you should be able to enjoy the benefits of these herbal remedies to relieve pain without any adverse effects.
