Holistic Remedies for Pain: 6 Alternatives to Over-The-Counter Drugs

What’s the first thing you reach for when you have muscle tension, backache, or minor headache? Many people try over-the-counter drugs as their first option. Sadly, even OTC drugs can be harmful to your health in the long-term. Apart from getting addicted to these pills,they can lead to intestinal and liver damage among other health problems. For these reasons, you may want to limit your intake of these drugs and try alternative natural remedies for pain relief.

In case you are wondering what these natural remedies for pain relief are this article will talk about exactly that.

1. Kratom

One of the powerful pain-relieving and sedating natural remedies is Kratom from Vietnam. It comes in white, yellow, green, and red vein strains, and can ease different types of pains. This strain of kratom comes from a tropical tree grown in Vietnam and people who use it have reported that it has helped them with their pain. Keep in mind that kratom is a powerful herbal remedy, and should not be used by children.

2. Turmeric

Chances are that you have come across or even used turmeric but you don’t know that it can ease back pain, muscle pain, and even headaches.Typically, turmeric is a curry spice that contains curcumin, a helpful compound that prevents free radical damage in the body. Turmeric is also said to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. It has been reported to help combat different health conditions such as blood clotting, ulcers, cancer, indigestion, etc.

3. Ginger

Ginger is also another incredible alternative natural remedy for pain. Some people claim that it is even more powerful than ibuprofen and other over-the-counter drugs. This may be due to the powerful antioxidants it contains, which may help with inflammation in the joints. If you have joint pain then ginger is the best natural remedy for relief.

4. Willow bark

Generally, pain is caused by inflammation in a localized region of your body. Willow bark is considered a natural remedy for inflammation. In fact, the chemical found in the willow bark, salicin, has been used for centuries, and can be used to synthesize aspirin.

In fact, in the past (and even today) people have been chewing the bark of the white willow to ease headaches and fevers.

These days, willow bark is dried and sold in many stores that carry holistic products. You can also buy willow bark as a liquid supplement or as a pill which you prepare like tea.

It’s worth noting that even though willow bark is a good remedy for pain relief, it has some side effects. For example, if you have stomach problems you might want to avoid it. Furthermore, it may slow down kidney functions. Therefore, this pain-relief remedy should not be used by children.

5. Heat and Ice

You must have tried this or if you’ve never done it, here is how it works. When you’ve been hit by an object and swelled, you can apply an ice pack to ease the swelling. Ice par may relieve you off of muscle or tendon strain.

Now once the ice pack has reduced the swelling of ligaments, you can then apply heat to reduce the stiffness resulting from strains. In case of headache, you can place a cold pack on your head to ease the pain.

6. Cloves

People use whole cloves to add flavor to meat and rice when cooking. For example, people crush cloves and add them to foods like pies and other desserts. These days, cloves are also sold as medicine in the form of capsules, oil, or powder.

Cloves can be used to ease many types of conditions like colds, nausea, and many others. Besides, cloves can help to ease pain from toothaches, headaches, etc. This is because cloves contain a natural pain reliever like the one found in most over-the-counter drugs. Furthermore, a study has shown that cloves can help to combat fungal infections.

Use These Alternative Remedies For Pain With Caution

People have reported all of the natural remedies for pain relief as effective. However, they may not work the same for everyone, and they are not intended as solutions to severe pain. So, if pain persists, seek medical advice from a doctor right away.