People can experience pain in many ways. It could either be localized or felt all over, fleeting or lasting, or it could also be sharp or dull. No matter how it's experienced, pain relief is always wanted. Synthetic painkillers, such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are widely used across the globe. However, these often come with adverse side effects, such as liver damage, ulcers, and kidney problems. Aside from these, people that regularly take synthetic painkillers tend to develop a resistance to the drug, which may leads to an addiction since the body requires a higher intake for the drug to be effective.
In order to avoid these side effects, people can shift to using naturally occurring pain relievers, which include the following:
- Wild opium lettuce – This invasive weed might not look like much but its sap has great potential as a pain reliever. The sap, which has a milky latex appearance, can be acquired by scraping or squeezing the leaves and stalk. It is then used by ingestion or smoking, which has been shown to be more effective. The body will then start to feel numb and inflammation will be reduced.
- Kava kava – Kava kava has been shown to soothe headaches and relieve tension by inducing systemic pain reduction. Additionally, kava kava can also inhibit muscle spasms, as well as cancer metastasis and growth.
- Blue lotus – The blue lotus is not just beautiful, it is also very effective for treating migraines, muscle spasms, menstrual cramps, and body aches. It is recommended that extracts from blue lotus be taken with an alcoholic beverage to best experience its effects.
- Kratom – Effects of this tree are comparable to oxycodone, a strong synthetic pain reliever. Fortunately, it does not have the addictive nature and other adverse side effects that oxycodone has. This plant can be used to relieve pain caused by traumatic injuries.
- Boswellia - This herb is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating arthritis.
- White willow – Salicin, which is found in the bark of white willow trees, is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. To get this benefit, the bark can either be chewed or used to make tea. Although it is a good pain reliever, salicin also exhibits blood-thinning properties that can be harmful to those taking blood thinning medications.
- Chili peppers – Chili peppers alleviate pain through the action of capsaicin, which triggers the release of endorphins.
- Cloves – This commonly used spice also has medicinal purposes. It has been shown to relieve headaches, arthritis, and toothaches. The pain relieving property that it exhibits can be attributed to the presence of eugenol. However, it is not for people with bleeding disorders or those taking blood thinning medications.
- Turmeric – Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant that protects against free radical damage. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that can help relieve pain. Additionally, turmeric can also be used to treat other diseases. Such as indigestion, psoriasis, and cancer.
- Ginger – Ginger contains different phytochemicals that are believed to reduce inflammation, making it a potential pain reliever. However, further studies are needed since the exact component responsible for this effect has not yet been discovered.
- Devil's claw – This commonly used South African herb has been shown to alleviate pain, especially for those with arthritis or lower back pain.
Knowing that these plants can serve as natural pain relievers makes it easier to avoid the unwanted side effects that synthetic pain medications have. (Related: OTC pain meds mess with your head: Study suggests that as they suppress physical pain, they also suppress empathy and emotional pain.)
Learn more about the different natural pain relievers by visiting Herbs.news today.
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