Six Natural & Safe Painkillers

Let's face it - pain is a part of your life.  We don't often think about it that way, but in actuality it’s something to be grateful for, because it is your body’s natural defense against further injury.  Imagine what would happen to a runner’s knee if they didn’t feel the pain of overuse or improper form?  They could damage it beyond repair.  It’s also normal to not want to feel this pain, and to want to reduce it or alleviate it when it occurs.

Coated 200 mg ibuprofen tablets. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, drugs such as NSAIDS come with a whole slew of possible harmful side effects.  That’s where natural painkillers can be a great benefit, particularly if you’re dealing with an injury or chronic pain.

Let’s take a look at six natural painkillers:

1.  Arnica is a wonderful herb that comes from a lovely yellow flower that grows in the mountains of Europe.  It has been shown to be quite effective in reducing inflammation and the pain related to inflammation.  This natural painkiller is great for treating arthritis, muscle and tendon sprains and strains and even bruising.  Arnica can be taken orally with a homeopathic remedy or applied as a topical gel.

2.  Curcumin, an ingredient in Turmeric, is a wonderful painkiller which also suppresses and reduces inflammation. Inflammation is often the cause of joint and muscle pain.  Curcumin can be taken as a capsule, and is said to be better absorbed by your body if you take it with bromelain which is an anti-inflammatory enzyme found in pineapple.

3.  Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory compounds that keep your body in a state of optimal health by blocking chemicals that cause inflammation in the body.  In a study of rheumatoid arthritis patients, daily supplementation with 2.7 grams of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA resulted in a significant reduction in the number of tender joints.
 
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed, hempseed, and cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel.  You can also take fish oil supplements.

4.  Boswellia, aka frankincense, is an herb that treats chronic pain.  Like many of the other herbs it decreases inflammatory compounds and thus leads to the reduction of pain for both minor injuries like sprains and strains and also chronic pain like arthritis.

Devil 's claw, Proboscidea louisianica (Photo credit: Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants)

5.  Devil’s claw is a fruit that is native to South Africa.  It has been used to reduce back pain and arthritis pain. Compounds called iridoid glycosides have pain-relieving and inflammation-fighting capabilities.  However, if you suffer from stomach issues, consult approval from your doctor before beginning to take Devil’s claw.

6.  Feverfew is a long-standing natural pain remedy and works quite well for headaches, minor pain, arthritis pain and fever.  It’s been shown to actually cease the development of headaches and to stop migraines in their tracks.  It works by relaxing blood vessels in your brain and preventing them from constricting. 

Natural painkillers can be your healthy way to mitigate or eliminate chronic pain or pain caused by minor injuries.  However, just because an herb is natural doesn't mean it doesn't have side effects so it pays to take caution when adding any herbal or natural remedy to your routine.  However, the side effects are generally significantly much less harmful than those of NSAIDS. Check with your alternative healthcare practitioner to be sure before using.

How to Fight Inflammation Naturally

Inflammation is your body’s reaction to injury - but it can also be caused by many toxins, which irritate your body and cause inflammation to occur. You can have external inflammation, for example a twisted ankle will swell. You can also experience inflammation internally. For example your arteries can become inflamed.
Inflammation, while it is a natural response, can be dangerous too. If your arteries are inflamed and stay inflamed then you can suffer a heart attack.

There are many medications that help fight inflammation. For a sprained ankle you might take an NSAID to reduce the swelling. For inflamed arteries you might take a Image via WikipediaStatin drug. These drugs, whether prescription or over the counter, have side effects. NSAIDs for example can cause liver damage or stomach distress. And new and an alarming study reported in the September 6 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that regular use of NSAIDs even in small doses can DOUBLE the chances of miscarriage for pregnant women. And Statins have some of the highest numbers of dangerous side effects of any drug out there. The  more we learn about these drugs, the more we seem to find that they are actually making us sick more than they are making us well.... The good news is that there are many things you can do today to fight inflammation naturally.

Five Ways to Fight Inflammation Naturally

#1: Omega threes. Omega three fatty acids help reduce inflammation in your body naturally. You can find omega threes in many whole grains, fish and nuts. However, most people don’t get enough omega threes in their diet. The healthy ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 in the human diet should be somewhere between 1:1 and 1:4, but the typical American diet provides more like 1:20 - FAR from the ideal balance. A simple solution is to take a fish oil or omega three supplement. But additionally, you need to decrease the amount of man-made trans fats you’re eating (pretty much any standard type of vegetable oil, as well as margarine, is mainly trans fats). These types of fats contribute greatly to inflammation in your body. (For more on healthy and unhealthy oils, visit http://nhlcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cooking-with-fats-oils-healthy-tips.html.)

#2: Decrease sugar consumption. Sugar is a prime source of inflammation. It causes free radical damage to your cells. This damage is an “injury” which causes inflammation. After consuming too many sweets or junk food you may notice you look Image via Wikipediapuffy. This is inflammation at work. What you cannot see is the inflammation inside your body. Take a look at how much sugar you consume and create a plan to cut back. You’ll notice a drastic difference in how you feel - and maybe even how you look - and definitely in your long-term health. Many good natural sweeteners are readily available today - from Stevia extract to Xylitol, and even good old-fashioned honey. But don't go overboard - our bodies really weren't meant to consume huge amounts of sweets. Just stick to fruit if you can!

#3: Turmeric. Turmeric is an herb commonly used in mustard and many curries, and it’s a great natural anti-inflammatory. If you don’t eat a lot of curry or mustard consider taking a turmeric supplement. They are easy to find and quite affordable, and can reduce inflammation both externally and internally.

#4: Exercise. Exercise actually helps your body reduce inflammation, and flush out toxins that can cause inflammation. It doesn’t have to be vigorous exercise either. Simply walk for thirty minutes a day. This simple step drastically reduces inflammation.

#5: Sleep. Good sleep is imperative for good health. Studies have shown that people who do not get enough quality sleep suffer from inflammation. They’re at a higher risk for obesity and heart disease. Sleep is when your body heals itself, including inflamed areas. Without this repair time, inflammation can build up in the body over time. Restless or impaired sleep, or simply not enough of it, can take a huge long-term toll on your overall health. Take a look at your sleep habits. What can you do to improve them?

There are several other simple steps you can take to reduce inflammation naturally, such as: Reduce alcohol intake. Stop smoking if you smoke. Lose weight.

If you have an injury, like a sprained ankle, consider using natural arnica gel to treat it. Add green tea to your diet and cut back on saturated and trans fats.

Simple steps to live a healthy life also fight inflammation naturally. Take a look at your existing habits. How do they support inflammation? What can you do to change your lifestyle and fight inflammation naturally?