Painkillers like ibuprofen are a quick and easy solution. However, they are not healthy for your body in the long run. We show you proven herbal home remedies that can relieve your pain without any side effects. Here are the best natural painkillers.
Medicines and their side effects
Nowadays, medicines are quickly and easily available at the pharmacy, even over the counter, without proper communication of the correct dose or duration of treatment. Ibuprofen is one of the most commonly used medicines. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain, reduce fever, and reduce inflammation. It is sometimes taken for headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, or menstrual cramps. However, as with other medicines, taking ibuprofen can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation and put a strain on your health. Ibuprofen may also cause dizziness or drowsiness. If the symptoms are not too severe, you should therefore resort to herbal, natural remedies.
Herbal painkillers and their effect
It does not always have to be conventional painkillers that help us with severe pain. Remedies from nature have been around since time immemorial, a healing effect is also confirmed and usually also solves the problem. People use them not only because they are natural, but also because they work naturally and do not burden the body with side effects. As a chronically ill person, you should of course constantly consult your doctor. However, the additional intake of natural painkillers can usefully complement therapy and alleviate your complaints.
Important: As long as the complaints remain within limits, natural remedies help to relieve our pain. If there is no significant improvement after taking the home remedies, you should ask a doctor for advice.
Top 8 Natural Painkillers: The Best Alternatives to Ibuprofen
1. Arnica against pain
Arnica is a now widespread and commonly used plant, known especially for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It is particularly helpful for muscle aches and tears, bumps, stomach aches, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation.
You should only use arnica externally and not ingest it. To use, pour a cup of warm water over a teaspoon of arnica. Then apply the active ingredient to the affected areas with a clean cloth.
2. Ginger against pain
Many people know that ginger is healthy and strengthens the immune system – but the fact that it can also be taken for pain is certainly new to some. Besides strengthening the immune system, ginger has an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving function, similar to the active ingredients of arnica.
Ginger can be used externally, especially for sprains, arthritis, general inflammation and carpal tunnel syndrome. To do this, cut off a piece of ginger, pour warm water over it and let it steep for about five minutes. Then dab it on the affected area with a cloth and the natural treatment is ready.
If you suffer from nausea, ginger can also help. Eat a small piece of ginger to stimulate your appetite and keep your gastrointestinal tract going.
3. Turmeric against pain
The natural active ingredient turmeric is anti-inflammatory and keeps our joints healthy. Therefore, the medicinal plant has a pain-relieving effect on arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Simply refine your dishes with turmeric, which goes particularly well with oriental dishes such as curry. Golden milk is particularly popular and beneficial to health. A drink that consists of plant milk, turmeric, ginger and a few other ingredients. In Ayurvedic teachings, Golden Milk has been considered healing, stimulating and cleansing drink for centuries. Turmeric milk relieves discomfort in the joints, supports digestion and strengthens the immune system. If you don’t like turmeric in a dish or as milk, you can also take the active ingredient in highly concentrated capsule or powder form.
4. Liquorice against pain
Before you start taking liquorice, you should first talk to your doctor about it. If he sees no objections to the treatment with liquorice, you can easily buy liquorice as a tablet, cream or capsule in pharmacies or health food shops and take it instead of conventional painkillers. However, the active ingredient of the medicinal plant should be avoided in cases of high blood pressure, potassium deficiency, type II diabetes, hepatitis and during pregnancy. The reason: the substance increases blood pressure, cortisol levels and the permeability of the placenta so that the healthy development of the hormone glands and the brain of the unborn child is disturbed.
5. Cayenne pepper for pain
The natural plant cayenne pepper is not only a treat for the taste buds but also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Nevertheless, you should bear in mind that cayenne pepper is hot and very tasty, not everyone can tolerate the spiciness. Avoid contact with mucous membranes and spare your eyes. If you don’t want to use it as a powder, you can buy it as an ointment, cream or oil essence in health food stores.
If you prefer the powder for treatment, pour 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper over hot water and drink small sips throughout the day. If you have decided to use the ointment, apply it carefully to the affected area. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards or use gloves from the beginning. Otherwise, unpleasant side effects such as a strong burning sensation may occur.
6. Willow bark against pain
Willow bark has an analgesic effect. It is often used as a natural painkiller for headaches, muscular and menstrual complaints. However, willow bark, e.g. as a tea, also helps with fever and with arthrosis and arthritis. If you are allergic to the drug aspirin, we advise you against treatment with willow bark, because both willow bark and aspirin contain salicylic acid, to which some people are allergic.
7. Peppermint oil against pain
Peppermint oil is also a real all-rounder among natural painkillers. It not only helps with digestive complaints and irritable bowel syndrome but also with tension headaches and muscle pain. The reason for this is probably the ingredients contained in the oil, which stimulate the cold receptors of the skin and make the pain fibres less sensitive. If you want to take advantage of this effect, massage the diluted oil directly onto the painful area.
8. Onions against pain
Onions are not only known for their flavourful seasoning, but also as a well-known household remedy for sore throats, earaches and insect bites. The onion acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and has an antibacterial, analgesic and germicidal effect. For sore throats or coughs, you can therefore mix onion juice with honey and take it regularly.
You can also use onions for a painful middle ear infection. Cut an onion into small pieces and wrap it in a cloth handkerchief. Then place the onion bag on your ear. The onion relieves the discomfort and has a decongestant effect.
Food as a natural painkiller
Remedies such as arnica, turmeric and ginger not only serve us as effective natural painkillers. Foods can also alleviate inflammation. Especially plant-based omega-3 sources rebalance the ratio of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, eat walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, flaxseeds and dark green leafy vegetables regularly, as well as vegetable oils such as olive and linseed oil. Fatty fish can also be on the menu once a week, e.g. salmon, sardines and trout. Try it out!
You should avoid white flour products as much as possible because of the large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids. Animal products should only be eaten in moderation, as the purines they contain can attack your joints and lead to gout.
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