11/24/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
It shouldn’t be surprising that nature also provides natural pain relievers: It has already given us many powerful medicinal plants that can treat anything from a fever, wounds, and even cancer. Here are just some of the most effective natural painkillers. The best part? Most of them could already be found in your kitchen or garden. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera was not called by the ancient Egyptians as the “plant of immortality” for nothing. The gel from the aloe vera plant has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can be used to relieve burns, cuts, scrapes, and cold sores. The juice of the aloe vera plant can also boost digestive function.
- Basil: Basil is commonly used in cooking to add flavor and aroma to food, especially in Mediterranean cuisine. But do you know that it can also be used to treat colds and flu? Drinking basil tea can help relieve congestion due to colds and flu. It can also help soothe muscles and enhance blood circulation.
- Cloves: The analgesic and antibacterial properties of cloves make them a great natural remedy for relieving toothaches and gum pain.
- Dill: Dill is used to flavor deviled eggs and vegetable dishes, but it can also be used for medicinal purposes. It can be used as a natural diuretic and has properties that can help relieve anxiety, insomnia, hiccups, menstrual cramps, and digestive disorders.
- Garlic: Garlic is one of the most widely used superfoods. Eating raw garlic will strengthen your immune system. Garlic also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to relieve arthritis and back pain.
- Ginger: Ginger root contains anti-inflammatory properties that make it great for easing headaches, muscle pain, and overall body soreness. It can also be used as a remedy for nausea.
- Lavender: Lavender, which as a sweet aroma, can be used as an antiseptic, a diuretic, and a relaxant. Its buds are dried and made into tea. Drinking lavender tea can help soothe muscle soreness and muscle spasms. It can also help ward off harmful bacteria and relieve stomach irritation.
- Mint: Mint, which is commonly used to brew tea, can help relieve congestion caused by colds and flu. It can also be used to relieve headaches, arthritis pain, and indigestion. Moreover, it contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties that make it an excellent natural treatment for cuts and burns. Drinking mint tea can freshen your breath and reduce stomach bloating and indigestion.
- Parsley: Parsley is commonly used as a garnish to dishes, but you can also use it to make tea. It is rich in nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, iodine, and calcium. It also contributes to a fresh breath. Parsley can help decrease fluid retention and accelerate the elimination of toxins from the digestive tract.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is used to add flavor to food, make tea, and as an essential oil. Rosemary can help relieve toothaches, eczema, and joint or muscle pain when applied topically. It can also soothe indigestion and headaches. In addition, smelling the aroma of rosemary can improve your brain’s cognitive function, such as memory and concentration.
- Thyme: You can add dried thyme leaves to boiling water to make tea. Thyme offers antiseptic, antibacterial, and antioxidant benefits. Thyme tea can be used as an expectorant, removing congestion caused by colds and flu. Drinking thyme tea can also help relieve a sore throat, ease indigestion, reduce the discomfort of menstrual cramps, and other aches and pains.
Why it’s better to stick to natural painkillers
Natural painkillers give the same relief, or even more, as drug painkillers. Drug painkillers, such as opioids, cause many side effects. One of the most significant health risks of taking drug painkillers is drug abuse. In the previous decade, the number of deaths from painkillers has spiked to almost 15,000 every year in the U.S. Taking opioids can also cause constipation, hormone imbalance, worsened pain, a weakened immune system, and depression. (Related: Natural pain relievers beat Big Pharma drugs.)
Sources include:
Survivopedia.com
Health.ClevelandClinic.org