When you have natural painkillers in your kitchen pantry, then why take the trouble of taking the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for a prolonged period for treating various types of aches and pains. A number of kitchen ingredients contain anti-inflammatory compounds that inhibit inflammation and pain without causing any adverse side effect. Moreover, apart from providing relief from pain, the natural painkillers nourish and rejuvenate your body. Hence, to get rid of the bothersome aches and pains, you can use any of the following natural painkillers present in your kitchen.
Turmeric
Turmeric is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines for treating aches and pain. The major active ingredient in the spice curcumin, which gives turmeric its yellow color, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. The anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric is comparable to that of the over-the-counter NSAIDs. By suppressing activities of the inflammatory chemicals, it alleviates joint and muscle pain and swelling.
Tart Cherry
Tart cherry contains antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins that apart from neutralizing free radicals also suppress activities of pro-inflammatory compounds that trigger unwanted inflammation and pain. Tart cherries can provide relief from both acute and chronic pains.
Ginger
Ginger is another anti-inflammatory herb readily available in your kitchen. It contains chemicals that provide relief from arthritis pain, muscles soreness, stomach pain, chest pain and menstrual pain. Apart from eating fresh ginger slices and drinking ginger juice and ginger tea, applying ginger compress to the painful area helps in reducing pain.
Garlic
Garlic oil is a popular home remedy for earache. It works by killing the bacteria responsible for the painful ear infection. For fast relief from earache, pour one to two drops of garlic oil prepared by boiling few cloves of fresh garlic in olive oil into the ear canal twice a day.
Clove
Clove contains analgesic and antibacterial compounds that provide prompt relief from toothache. Chewing clove or applying clove oil to the sore gum blocks transmission of the pain signals.
Red Grapes
The red color of red grapes is due to an antioxidant compound called resveratrol. It prevents degeneration of cartilage, which is responsible for joint pains and back pain. To fight chronic pains, include red grapes in your diet or drink a glass of red wine daily.
Coffee
Caffeine present in coffee is a potent pain reducing agent. It reduces your sensitivity to pain. Studies have shown that drinking two cups of coffee causes almost 50% reduction in muscle aches after a strenuous workout.
Soy
According to studies, soy protein, when consumed daily, causes significant improvement in osteoarthritis knee pain. The anti-inflammatory activity of soy is attributed to hormone like plant compounds called isoflavones.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. The anti-inflammatory activity of these essential fats eases chronic pain. The pain lowering effect of omega-3 fats in fish oil is comparable to that of ibuprofen.
Peppermint
By relaxing the muscles, peppermint provides relief from aches and pain. You can drink peppermint tea or apply peppermint oil to the painful areas of your body. It helps in soothing muscle pain, toothache, headache and nerve pain. By easing digestion and expelling gas from the stomach, peppermint also helps in reducing abdominal pain.
Salt
To treat muscle and joint pain, add a cup of table salt to your bath water and soak in the warm saline solution for about 10 to 15 minutes. By dehydrating the body cells, the saline solution reduces inflammation, thereby providing fast relief from pains and aches.
Unsweetened Yogurt
The Lactobacillus bacteria found in yogurt inhibit production of C-reactive proteins that are associated with chronic inflammation and pain. Moreover, the healthy bacteria in yogurt, by easing digestion, provide relief from abdominal pain caused by digestion problems.
Olive Oil
The anti-inflammatory compounds in olive oil can ease arthritis pain. Apart from adding olive oil to your daily recipes, massaging the painful areas with warm olive oil alleviates muscle and joint pain.
Green Tea
By neutralizing free radicals that trigger aches and pains, the antioxidant polyphenols in green tea may provide relief from aches and pains.
