20 natural pain relievers in your kitchen

Natural painkillers in your kitchen

Below you can find a list of the best natural pain relievers commonly found in almost every kitchen. So the next time you are feeling bad or suffer from any particular pain and discomfort, before running to the pharmacy, you can take a look at the list of natural painkillers that we will share with you.

Keep in mind, however, that pain or other symptoms that persist could be a sign of something more serious and may require medical intervention. Consultation with a doctor is always recommended as health care should not be a secondary issue and it should not be treated without professional advice.

1. Ginger for muscle pain

When Danish researchers asked people with pain to add ginger to their diets, the muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness of up to 63 percent of them were almost completely reduced in two months. [¹]

Experts give credit to a potent compound in ginger called gingerol , which prevents the production of hormones that trigger pain, acting as one of the most effective natural pain relievers in your kitchen. The recommended dose according to the study is: add at least 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger or 2 teaspoons of minced ginger in daily meals.

2. Clove for toothache

Do you have a toothache and can’t go to the dentist? Gently chewing a clove can help relieve tooth pain and swollen gums for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers [²].

Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful natural anesthetic . Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on daily meals. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, as well as discouraging the production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

3. Treat heartburn with apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may improve acid reflux in people who are not taking medications and with minimal risk. But while there is a lot of anecdotal evidence, there is very limited research on it.

In fact, no research to support this claim has been published in a medical journal. However, a graduate thesis [³] found that raw or unfiltered apple cider vinegar can prevent heartburn.

More research is needed to determine if apple cider vinegar is a consistent and reliable way to treat acid reflux.

4. Remove earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to medical offices each year. For a quick cure, just place two drops of warm garlic oil in the sore ear twice a day for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription drugs, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

Scientists say that the active ingredients in garlic ( germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds ) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria hence this is another of the most important natural pain relievers.

How to make garlic oil one of the most effective natural pain relievers

To make your own garlic oil, gently simmer three cloves of minced garlic in a half cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co. -author of the books, Best Choices from the Popular Pharmacy Best Choices from the Poeple’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, slightly warm this mixture before use so that the liquid feels soothing in the ear canal.

5. Decrease joint pain and headache with Cherries

The latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with chronic headaches, arthritis, and gout. If you’re one of them, a bowl of cherries a day could ease your pain, without stomach discomfort so often caused by current pain relievers, say researchers at East Lansing’s Michigan State University.

Research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give bright cherry its red color, are anti-inflammatory 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that cause inflammation in tissues, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different types of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at the Michigan State University. Her advice: Enjoy 20 fresh cherries a day, then continue until the pain subsides.

6. Fight against the digestive problem with Fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases… if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try eating 18 ounces of fish per week to ease it. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramps, and abdominal pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription medications.

” EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, anti-inflammatory with no side effects that can improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract, ” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Foundation for Inflammation Research in Marblehead, MA. . For best results, look for fatty fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout, and herring.

7. Prevent Premenstrual Syndrome with Natural Yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women may struggle with PMS and bothersome symptoms, Yale researchers report. The reason: Your nervous systems are sensitive to the highs and lows of estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally each month.

But eating 2 cups of yogurt a day can reduce these symptoms by 48 percent, according to researchers at New York’s Columbia University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a natural mineral that calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms, even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, MD, professor of gynecology at Yale University.

8. Control chronic pain with Turmeric

Studies show that turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at relieving pain than aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers.

That’s because the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that serially produces a stream of pain produced by hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, MD, author of the book, Reversal of Diabetes. The recommended dose in this study: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice in any daily dish that you like to prepare with this spice, preferably healthy foods.

9. End of endometrial pain with Oatmeal

The ticket to endometrial pain relief could be a bowl of oatmeal a day. Endometriosis occurs when small pieces of the lining of the uterus separate and grow outside the uterus. Experts say that these migrating cells can make menstruation painful, causing a lot of inflammation that triggers severe cramps, as well as intense pain that lasts throughout the month.

Fortunately, scientists say that opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats do not contain gluten, a protein that causes problems and causes inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Colombia.

10. Soothe sore feet with Salt

Experts say that at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown toenails in hot saltwater baths can cure these painful infections in four days, say scientists at California’s Stanford University.

The salt in the mix naturally lowers inflammation, and it is also antibacterial, so it quickly kills germs that cause inflammation and pain. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt for every cup of water, heat to the highest temperature you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice a day until the infection clears.

11. Prevent digestive disorders with pineapple

Do you suffer from gas? A cup of fresh pineapple daily can reduce painful swelling within 72 hours, say the researchers at California’s Stanford University. This is because pineapple is naturally packed with proteolytic enzymes, which are digestive aids that speed the breakdown of proteins that cause pain in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

12. Relax sore muscles with peppermint

Do you suffer from tense and sore muscles? Painful knots from tight muscles can last for months if not treated properly, says Naturopath Mark Stengler, ND, author of the book “Natural Doctor Healing Therapies.” His advice: Three times a week, soak in a tub of warm water scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The hot water relaxes the muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally calm the nerves, a combination that can help relieve muscle cramps 25 percent more effective than over-the-counter pain relievers, and reduce the frequency of cramps. future exacerbations by half, says Stengler.

13. Give your back a little love and care with grapes

Do you have a sore back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest that eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax narrow blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first cup). ).

That’s great news because the back vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are totally dependent on the blood vessels near them to bring them nutrients and healing oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for tissue healing. damaged back, says Stengler.

14. Eliminate the pain of injuries with water

Whether it’s your feet, knees, or shoulders that throb with pain, experts at New York’s College in Manhattan say you could kick start your recovery in a week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. day. Why? Experts say that water dilutes, and then helps remove, histamine, a component that triggers pain from injured tissues.

” In addition, water is a key element of the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones, and the lubricating fluid of the joints, and the soft discs of the spine, ” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book. , The diet in a good mood. “And when these tissues are well hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One word of caution: be sure to measure your glasses to see how big they really are before you start drinking, he says. Today’s juice glasses are often over 12 ounces, which means that five servings may be enough to meet your daily goal.

15. Cure sinus problems with horseradish

The latest studies show that sinusitis is the number one chronic health problem in America. And this condition not only stimulates congestion and facial pain, it also makes patients likely to feel six times more pain everywhere.

According to German researchers, this seasoning (which causes the eyes to water) naturally speeds up blood flow to the nasal cavities, helping to open and drain blocked sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays. The recommended dose according to the study: One teaspoon of fresh radish twice a day (either alone or with meals) until symptoms disappear.

16. Fight bladder infections with cranberries

Eating a cup of blueberries a day, alone or in juice, can reduce the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) by 60 percent, according to researchers from Rutgers University of New Jersey. That’s because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that cover up the problems bacteria cause in the bladder so they can’t sustain themselves and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University.

17. Heal wounds in the mouth with honey from bees

For painful mouth ulcers and cold sores, unpasteurized honey four times a day until these skin problems disappear, and it can heal up to 43 percent faster than using a cream, say researchers from the Medical Center. Specialized in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The natural enzymes in raw honey from bees destroy invading viruses and accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, the study authors say.

18. Fight Breast Pain with Flax Seed

According to a recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to your daily diet could relieve breast pain for one in three women in 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that cause chest pain. More good news: You don’t have to bake bread to add this healthy seed to your diet. Sprinkle ground flaxseed on your oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, or add it to smoothies and veggie sauces.

19. Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Strengthen your pain reliever with coffee. Whichever pain medication you prefer, National Headache Foundation researchers say that a 12-ounce cup of coffee will increase its effectiveness by 40 percent or more. Experts say that caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb pain relievers faster and more effectively.

20. Leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people is regularly struggling with leg cramps. Guilty? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is expelled by diuretics, caffeinated beverages, or excessive perspiration during exercise. But drinking 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily will not only speed your recovery, it will reduce your risk of painful asthma cramp attacks in as little as 10 days, say the UCLA researchers.