There are several harmful side effect associated with prolonged use of pain-killing medications. Some of these are kidney problems, liver damage, stomach ulcers, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Health experts actually recommend the use of natural painkillers to beat pain without potential side effects.
If you really opt for a natural painkiller, then you don’t have to go to the market. Some painkillers can already be found in your homes.
Hot Compress
Applying heat directly on the painful areas is a very common home remedy for pain relief. Hot compress is effective for any kind of acute or chronic pain as its heat help dilate blood vessels causing the blood to easily distribute nutrients throughout the body and flush out toxins. This, in turn, helps relieve pain.
Soak a cotton cloth in hot water and wring out the excess water. Place the warm cloth on the affected body part for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every 2 hours, as needed.
Ice Pack
An ice pack is very beneficial if you suffer from back pain, jaw pain, pain due to a sudden fall or injury or even for a postpartum pain. During the first 48 hours, ice pack helps reduce inflammation and pain by restricting circulation and offering a numbing effect on nerves, which plays a key role in reducing inflammation and swelling.
Place some ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap it in a towel. Apply it on the painful area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Repeat several times a day, as needed.
Cloves
Cloves work as a powerful painkiller. It helps relieve the pain associated with headaches, arthritic inflammation, and toothaches.
For joint or muscle pain, mix a few drops of clove oil with any carrier oil. Massage the painful area for a couple of minutes.
For a toothache, dab a little clove oil or chew a whole clove on the sore tooth and the surrounding gums using a cotton ball to relieve the pain.
Olive Oil
The popular oil that you use for salad dressing or cooking is also beneficial for reducing inflammation and pain.
Always opt for extra-virgin olive oil when it comes to fighting inflammation.
For consumption, eat 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil on a daily basis to fight inflammation.
For topical use, massage the painful area with warm olive oil to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation from muscle cramps and arthritis.
Cayenne Pepper
Found in cayenne pepper is a compound known as capsaicin, which exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect that helps lessen inflammation and pain. Furthermore, it prevents the activation of brain’s pain transmitters, which in turn reduces the feeling of pain.
Create a mixture using ½ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper and 2 to 3 teaspoons of warm coconut or olive oil. Apply it to the painful area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse it off. Repeat once daily until the pain is gone.
Ginger
Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties in the form of the compound gingerol, which help treat pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Steep 1 tablespoon of ginger slices in 1 cup of hot water for 5 minutes, then drink it 2 or 3 times a day to help relieve the pain.
For topical application, apply twice a day a warm ginger paste mixed with a little turmeric on the affected area.
For consumption, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of ground ginger to your meals daily.
Turmeric
The curcumin component of turmeric helps protect the body from free radicals which in turn soothes the pain. Turmeric is actually good for joint pains, body aches, and internal body injuries that result in inflammation.
One of the best ways to use turmeric is by mixing 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of hot milk and drink it 2 to 3 times daily.
