How often do you have to reach for the Tylenol or Advil because of a migraine, stomach aches, or sore joints and muscles? Taking these once in a while may not impact your body, but if you rely on these types of medications multiple times a month -or even day, learning how to reduce body pain naturally could be beneficial.
Nature has given us plenty of plants to help us relieve pain in our bodies. People have been using them for centuries! While pharmaceuticals are needed in certain situations, natural herbs can come to the rescue just as often for body aches and pains.
Why use herbal supplements over synthetic drugs?
When you take Tylenol or Advil in large quantities over the long term to counteract any pain you are experiencing, it can negatively impact your health by damaging your gut microbiota, eroding your gut lining, and putting stress on your liver. On the other hand, when you consume some of these herbs, you are also gaining antioxidant benefits from plants! Double win. I love herbal medicine because it’s used to help support your body’s own healing process and can even build up your body’s resilience for future illnesses.
To help you know how to reduce body pain naturally with herbs, today I’m sharing my top 5 herbs you should consider for daily use or have stocked in your medicine cabinet depending on your pain. You may be surprised to hear the medicinal benefits of these plants because most of us are just used to taking over-the-counter medications from big pharma.
Top 5 Natural Pain Relieving Herbs to Stock in your Medicine Cabinet
Ginger
Corydalis
California Poppy
Ashwagandha
Peppermint
1. Ginger for Migraine Pain
Ginger is a root from a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia. You may be familiar with its taste in delicious Indian and Asian cuisines, but that’s not all it’s good for.
Ginger is a great go-to when you feel a headache or migraine pain coming on. Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, it can help reduce the pain associated with migraines just as a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug could.
In fact, one study focused on adults who got migraines multiple times a month, found that ginger extract was significantly better than a typical migraine medicine- ketoprofen, for reducing the pain 1 hour, 1.5 hours, and 2 hours after taking it. Never underestimate the power of nature’s gifts!
Keep a stock of ginger capsules in your medicine cabinet, so you are prepared at the first sign of a migraine beginning.
2. Corydalis for Osteoarthritis Pain
Corydalis is a medicinal plant from China. The root is used for a variety of types of pain. If you struggle with osteoarthritis pain, corydalis is an herb to have stocked in your home. This herb has been shown to be just as effective as diclofenac sodium which is typically used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. But the advantage of using corydalis is that the incidence of related adverse reactions was 23% less in the corydalis group than those that took diclofenac sodium.
3. California Poppy for Chronic Pain and Sleep
Chronic pain can not only be debilitating during the day, but it can inhibit you from getting a good night’s rest which is vital in healing and optimal health. Actually, about 50% to 89% of chronic pain patients struggle with poor sleep. California poppy has been used for its analgesic, anxiolytic, and sedative effects for years.
This is partially due to its sleep-promoting alkaloids, GABA-benzodiazepine receptor agonists, which can help with insomnia and pain.
During one study, up to 50% of participants found pain or sleep relief when taking California poppy!
4. Ashwagandha for Joint Pain
If you’re experiencing joint pain, whether it be from being active or from wear and tear, ashwagandha can be a great herb to take daily. Ashwagandha is a powerhouse of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce the inflammation at the joints, and in doing so, reduce the pain.
In a study involving participants struggling with knee joint pain, the group that took 250 mg of ashwagandha experienced significantly less pain, stiffness, and disability than the control group.
Keep in mind that it takes up to 2-4 weeks to experience the benefits, so be patient with it!
5. Peppermint Oil for IBS Pain and Tension Headaches
Peppermint is a great herb to have on hand for both headaches and IBS pain! Peppermint can help with digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome by helping reduce flatulence, stomach pain, distension, and stool frequency.
What’s really neat is that one study demonstrated that after two weeks, 76 percent of patients that received enteric-coated peppermint said they had reduced severity of pain whereas only 19 percent of the control group patients had reduced severity of pain.
Having peppermint oil on hand is also a must if you struggle with tension headaches. Topical application of peppermint oil has been shown to be effective for reducing headache pain within just 15 minutes, AND peppermint oil has been shown to be just as effective as acetaminophen. So, instead of grabbing for the Tylenol for headaches, grab for your peppermint oil for a natural pain relief remedy.
Where should I get herbs for pain management?
While you may want to go out into nature and grab some herbs, buying high-quality herbal supplements or loose herbs from brands your trust is the way to go to really relieve that pain. Supplements can give you high doses of the active and bioavailable form of the herb to make it more effective. Plus, when you take herbal supplements, you’ll know exactly how much to take.
If you are looking for some of these natural remedies for pain, check out my online dispensary that is full of high-quality brands you can trust. You can get your herbal supplements shipped right to your door! I also recommend buying from Mountain Rose Herbs for bulk herbs.
Work with a Herbal Expert
Want more tips on how to care for your body and optimize your health naturally? Apply to work with me. I’m Jessica Meyers, a functional health and herbal expert. When you work with me, we will transform your health with simple swaps and lifestyle changes to restore your resilience! Check out the different health coaching services I offer to find the best options for you!
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