Natural Painkillers

Every time you suffer from a toothache, backache, headache, stomach pain or any other type of pain your first reaction would be to reach for painkiller pills. Many people rely on painkiller pills and may consume it daily.

we might imagine that these easily available medications are bound to be safe and harmless. And the instant pain relief we get after taking the medication lasts only for few hours, after that we consume the pills, again and again, to get pain free. but the root cause of pain is not cured. these medications come with the risk of side effects.

Commonly used painkillers and their harmful effects.

Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) – Use these at the lowest dose that improves your symptoms and only use them for a short time. they cause stomach ulceration and kidney problems. increases the risk of heart attack and stroke

Paracetamol - it can cause serious liver damage if taken in larger doses than recommended.

Aspirin  - Side effects -  stomach bleeding if taken for a long duration, kidney damage. children shouldn’t be given aspirin because of the risk of a life-threatening condition called Reye's syndrome, which attacks the brain and liver.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – present in multi-symptom cold products and sinus medicines – causes liver damage, if taken for too much for a long time or if taken with alcohol

Opioid analgesics – result in dependence and addiction

And many more …

I am not saying that these Painkiller medicines are useless. I am a pharmacist and I know that painkillers are a great invention and are useful and they have their place. If you’re recovering from surgery or a major injury, traditional over-the-counter pain relievers are good for controlling inflammation, swelling, and pain, but they are far too powerful for over-the-counter, everyday use.

So how could we take care of pain and inflammation without using Painkiller medicines? Humans have always experienced pain and sought to relieve it. Ayurveda offers a range of ways to tackle pain and inflammation. On a home remedy level, here are a few suggestions:

BODY PAIN REMEDY

Cold Compress - 

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When it comes to natural pain relief, sometimes the basics are the best. U just need an Ice Pack. apply ice pack on the aching area, leave it on for 10 minutes and repeat 2-3 times. A cold compress helps in reducing body aches by reducing the nerve activity in the affected areas temporarily. It has an anesthetizing effect, which provides quick and temporary relief from body pain

Hot Compress - 

Heat can help relax muscles, reduce tension and ease spasms. A hot compress can be placed directly on a pain site for 10-15 minutes at a time as needed.

Body Massage -

 A professional body massage helps in relieving muscle tension, thereby relaxing your muscles. Ayurvedic herbal oil massages help to remove the impurities embedded in tissues and relieve pain

Systematic relaxation - 

The next time you’re inclined to pop a pill for your symptoms, spend 10 minutes doing a systematic relaxation in Shavasana (corpse pose) instead. This practice can reduce muscle spasms, relieve tension, and calm the mind naturally.

Gentle Exercise - Pain can discourage us from stretching and moving the way we normally do, but restricting your movement will only compound the problem. Toxins accumulate where there is stagnation and congestion in the body, and this causes pain. Contracting and relaxing our muscles with gentle asanas relieves the stagnation by mobilizing blood, lymph, and synovial fluid. Even 15 minutes of stretching every morning or evening will make a world of difference.

Wintergreen Essential Oil – 

Also among natural pain relievers, Wintergreen Essential Oil contains 85-99% of methyl salicylate, the same component of aspirin.

Enjoy essential oils- Essential oils have long been valued for their analgesic effects in many cultures. There are many ways to benefit from essential oils—some people inhale them (aromatherapy), others include several drops in their massage oil and enjoy as part of a therapeutic massage. Several oils, in particular, are thought to have an analgesic effect, including peppermint oil, rosemary, and lavender.

Soak in warm water- Soaking your body in warm water can alleviate many forms of muscle pain and muscle spasm, as well as many types of arthritis. Add 10 to 15 tablespoons (1 cup) of salt in your bathing water. Soak yourself in that water for about 15 minutes. A saline solution helps dehydrate the body cells and thus, reduces inflammation and pain.

PAIN DUE TO INFLAMMATION

 Turmeric –

used in India for ages. It’s one of the safest anti-inflammatories you can take, and is an effective natural pain reliever too — even for severe pain. Curcumin present in turmeric matches or outperforms ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and other over-the-counter painkillers without any side effects. Just have a glass of warm turmeric milk or a cup of turmeric tea.

 Ginger - 

ginger could reduce pain and inflammation more effectively than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin). ayurveda suggests five gm of fresh ginger or two gm dried ginger as part of the diet to prevent and succeed muscular and joint pains.

Cherries - 

Due to the presence of compounds called anthocyanins, They block inflammation and they inhibit pain enzymes, just like aspirin, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.

TOOTHACHE REMEDY

Clove for a toothache -

 Use of the clove powder or oil to beat a toothache and tooth-related troubles are generally been used in all Indian family. A research done in the US have reported the effects of eugenol, which is one of the active components of clove, which works for its anesthetic and anti-bacterial effects.

How to use clove -

·        Take one to three whole pieces of this spice and place them next to the tooth that is causing pain.

·        Now, wait for a while. The clove pieces will slowly soften. Gently grind them. This releases the clove oils into your mouth. They run over the affected area and ease the inflammation and pain.

·        You can leave the clove pieces in the area for about 20 minutes.

·        Clove oil - 

You can apply the oil directly to your tooth to help relieve the pain. Take a cotton swab and dip one end of it into the clove oil. Apply the oil directly to the painful tooth and the inflamed area surrounding it. Take the swab out and let the oil rest on the affected area for about 20 minutes.

Salt Water rinse - a salt water rinse is an effective first-line treatment. Saltwater is a natural disinfectant, and it can help loosen food particles and debris that may be stuck in between your teeth. Treating a toothache with salt water can also help reduce inflammation and heal any oral wounds.

-      mix 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of salt into a glass of warm water and use it as a mouthwash.

Cold compress

EARACHE REMEDY

Garlic For Ear Ache –

My grandma used to use garlic to treat my ear aches when I was small. usage is to pour two drops of warm garlic oil into the affected ear for 7-11 days until it is completely cured. garlic has active ingredients like sulfur, selenium, and germanium, which have positive physiological effects on pain resulting in chemicals secreted by common bacterial infection. 

Crush two cloves of garlic and mix it with 2 teaspoons of mustard oil/coconut oil/olive oil. Heat this mixture till the garlic turns slightly black. Allow it to cool down and then apply a few drops inside the infected ear. The analgesic properties of garlic help relieve pain.

MOUTH ULCER REMEDY

Honey for Mouth Ulcers - 

Ayurveda suggests honey gargle for mouth sores. It prevents all types of infections and oral inflammation. Honey is radically effective in decreasing painfulness and going forward tissue healing.

LEG AND JOINT PAIN REMEDY

Epsom Salt bath for leg pain - 

Ayurveda suggests the warm-water bath of Epsom salt, that is rich in magnesium, is an excellent pain reliever. This is remarkably helpful for arthritis patients and also soothes leg pain. salt’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties cause it effective for pain. Analysis from Stanford University proves that regular soaking of infected parts in warm salt water acts better than tropical painkillers and antibiotics.

Apply herbal ointment 

Ayurvedic Oil Massage – for knee and joint pains Patanjali Divya peedantak oil is very effective. Add some bhimseni camphor powder to this oil and warm the oil, and massage on the affected area. 

turmeric milk

Massage with coconut/ mustard/sesame seed oil

hot and cold packs

STOMACH PAIN REMEDY

Stomach pain relief -  

to get relief from gastric troubles and stomach pain naturally and easily these common kitchen ingredients can be used like – asafoetida (Hing), ginger juice, lemon water, hot water with mint, carom seed (Ajwain), Fennel seeds (saunf), Apple cider vinegar

Stomach Pain due to Indigestion – the best remedy for this is – freshly grated ginger (small piece) + a spoonful of lemon juice +pinch of black salt, consume this mixture and you will get relief from stomach pain

Stomach pain due to acidity – chew a spoonful of cumin seeds (jeera) and drink a glass full of warm water after some time, you will get relief from acidity instantly.  

MENSTRUAL PAIN RELIEF REMEDY

Relieve Menstrual pain - It’s common to feel discomfort around your abdomen, lower back, thighs, and cramps when you’re menstruating. For relief instead of going for over the counter painkillers you can try the following

Applying Heat - Applying heat to your abdomen and lower back may relieve pain.

   Massaging with essential oils - Massage therapy for about 20 minutes can help reduce menstrual pain. Massage pressing specific points around your abdomen, side, and back.

    Ginger tea with honey , green tea ,

·      plain yogurt ,

·      lemon juice with honey.

  

   Fenugreek - Soak the fenugreek seeds in a glass of water overnight. Consume it on an empty stomach in the morning. Fenugreek is quite popular for its analgesic and pain relieving properties, which can help reduce period cramps

HEADACHE REMEDY

·        Ginger - Ginger is a home remedy for instant relief. It helps reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, hence easing the pain. And since it stimulates digestion, it also helps quell nausea which occurs during migraines.

·        Cinnamon - Cinnamon is a miracle spice that is known as one of the effective headache remedies. Grind some cinnamon sticks into a powder, and add some water to make a thick paste. Apply it on your forehead and temples and lie down for 30 minutes. Then wash it off with lukewarm water.

·        Head massage with coconut or mustard oil mixed with few drops of your favorite essential oil

·        Vitamin B12 rich foods and supplements

·        Get adequate sleep

·        Sooth pain with an Ice pack

·        Coffee - Coffee contains caffeine. Caffeine can reduce your sensitivity to pain, muscles aches and even headaches. 

·        Relax with yoga - Practicing yoga is an excellent way to relieve stress, increase flexibility, decrease pain and improve your overall quality of life

MANAGING PAIN

Finally, I would say that The natural painkillers described above may only be effective for specific causes of pain. It’s possible that not all of the suggestions on this list will work for you. However, these natural alternatives can go a long way toward helping you feel better without resorting to addictive and damaging over-the-counter and prescription pills.

Pain is the body’s signal that something is wrong. It may be temporary, as with a strained muscle. But pain can also mean you have a serious health problem that needs professional medical evaluation. Don’t hesitate to seek out a health care provider to diagnose the source of your pain, and discuss some natural options for treating it.

Also if you know any other effective home remedy for any pain, please feel free to comment and discuss the same.

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