10 Commonly Used Herbs For Pain as Natural Painkillers Without Side-Effects

It hasn’t been long since pharmaceutical products completely took over all other means of maintaining and sustaining healthcare for the humankind. Take a moment and think about your forefathers. Did they have the remedy of taking an over the counter medicine such as that of ibuprofen for pain management? Be it acute or chronic pain, the only option at their disposal used to be alternative medicine such as that of using the herbs for their benefits.

Prescription medications are indeed a convenience and rather a luxury for us today. You can’t argue on the efficiency of such pills for pain management. But it is also as much a reality that a long term use of such medicine can pronounce side effects including that of addiction. In all honesty, bodily pain is a fact. It might be associated with an injury, a medical condition, or a standalone ache. And if you are comfortable with resorting to the pharmaceutical products every time you had a minor headache, you are in for a world of side effects in the long run.

Considering that our forefathers used herbs for pain management is a testimony that such means of alternative medicine are applicable and effective. If you are big on the natural means for pain management, then you have landed on the right page. We have highlighted the top 10 herbs which can help relieve your pain without any side effects.

 

1. Lavender Essential Oil

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet brought the use of lavender essential oils under its wing to regulate its usage, several studies have shown significant improvement in pain relief with the use of lavender essential oil as compared to a placebo. It is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects both of which are known to contribute towards pain management. A word of caution, though. The lavender essential oil should only be used as an inhalant for pain management. Upon ingestion, it can cause toxicity in the body. As a matter of fact, before you opt to use it for pain relief, it is a good practice to have a discussion with your doctor.

2. Capsaicin

This herb is easily available in the form of Cayenne and a wide range of other spices and chili peppers. The best part is that it is not to be ingested or inhaled. It is effective in the form of a patch that is to be applied to the muscle or the joint where the pain is originating. Much like the pharmaceutical creams that are applied to the skin for pain relief, the Capsaicin patch is also going to give off a burning sensation as it starts to work. Over time, however, it dilutes the neurotransmitters responsible for pain sensation.

3. Holy Basil

It is very likely that you are already familiar with basil since it is widely used in cooking in this time and age. Holy Basil is pretty much the same thing with a few minor variations. It has been tried and tested for stress and pain management including the episodes of headaches which may be associated with excessive pressure or busy schedules on a day to day basis. You can either use its extract to have the aforementioned purpose served or it can also be prepared as an exotic form of tea.

4. Cumin

Here’s another ingredient that is commonly used in the kitchen. Be it the Indian cuisines or the Mexican, Cumin is likely to be an accentuated ingredient of the food. Much like Capsaicin, it is also a form of spice that is known for its antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Such properties make it effective for pain management for conditions as serious as rheumatoid arthritis. It is particularly applicable for reducing the stomach ulcer related pains as well. Other health benefits of using Cumin include optimizing the blood glucose levels.

5. Flaxseed

Flaxseed is a herb that is particularly more useful for women. With increasing age, women are likely to be at a greater risk of osteoporosis that puts them at risk of bone injuries and joints related pain. If the condition turns dire, hormone replacement therapy is often recommended by the doctors. However, as a proactive approach, it is recommended to consume Flaxseed as an alternative, natural hormone replacement therapy that significantly reduces the risk of Osteoporosis in the first place. Consequently, there will be reduced chances of suffering from joint pain.

6. Ginger

The health benefits of using Ginger as a component of your diet are widely known to the extent that you might already have heard about at least a few of them. But did you know that Ginger has a reputation as one of the best and most efficient pain relievers in the realm of natural alternatives? As little as two grams of it has been shown to cause a reduction in the pain sensation by as much as twenty-five percent in your muscles and joints. What’s more, is that it is convenient to be used in various forms that match your individual preferences. You can add it in the tea, in your meals, or take it individually as a form of a supplement as well.

7. Boswellia

Finally, something on the list that you may not have heard of already. But perhaps you are familiar with Frankincense? Used widely in perfumes, it originates from this very herb called Boswellia. Boswellia is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Ayurvedic Medicine relies greatly on the use of Boswellia herb for the purpose of managing pain especially the one that is usually associated with the medical conditions like Arthritis. It is usually available in the form of what appears like a gum.

8. Rosemary

You can think of Rosemary as the lavender’s cousin since it is also commonly used in the form of essential oils. The anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary make it effective for pain management. But that’s not all. You can also rely on it as a source of vitamin E, a potential treatment for asthma, and a source to strengthen the role of liver and kidneys in protecting the body against toxicity. However, you must start the use of Rosemary for pain relief with caution since there have been episodes of allergic reactions among the consumers at times.

9. Turmeric

Of course, how can we possibly think about completing the list of natural herbs without the mention of Turmeric? The origin of this spice is rooted in the Indian culture where it is widely used in the curries. Much like the other herbs, the prominent anti-inflammatory properties of Turmeric make it effective to be used for pain management. For people who are suffering from arthritis, the regular use of Turmeric is also a fine, natural means of a proactive approach to minimize the pain. Other than in the food, you can also add Turmeric to the tea in which case it doesn’t only help with pain management but gives an exotic flavor to the tea as well.

10. Cinnamon

Truth is, it wouldn’t be all that difficult to write a whole essay on the health benefits of using cinnamon. However, two of the primary health benefits that it offers is that of pain management as well as stabilizing blood glucose levels that is particularly valuable for people who have or are at risk of developing Diabetes Type 2. Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants which highlight its effectiveness for relieving pain. Cinnamon can also be used in a wide range of food, added for flavor in a cup of tea, and may also be used with fruits.

 

Conclusion Summary

As evident, there are plenty of herbs available at your disposal to find an effective solution against acute or chronic pain. It is understandable that not everyone prefers or even likes to make use of the herbs. But that is the benefit of having such a variety. You can try them out and see which one aligns itself with your taste and preferences. You can then use those herbs for effective pain relief in the long run and pave your way out of the reliance on the consumption of pharmaceutical products.

It is to be kept in mind that the pharmaceutical products may be more efficient in producing the effects, but the use of herbs, on the other hand, is not only a proactive approach but is also the one that is free from all side effects. What’s more, is that all of these herbs are associated with a wide range of other health benefits than pain relief. Regular consumption, therefore, enables you to benefit from such positive health impacts as well.

So, give these herbs a try and find out which one is suitable for you for consumption. We would surely love to get your feedback regarding the herbs that you used and the benefits that you were able to realize.