You may be skeptical, but herbal remedies could actually be a long-term solution to your chronic pain! For some more information, and 15 natural remedies to choose from, read on…
Chronic pain is something nobody wants to live with. The constant distraction from day-to-day activities, and the inability to live life as normal, can be really destructive
Chronic pain can be caused by a number of factors, including misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis from a negligent GP, a traumatic injury, or a lifestyle choice. Whatever it may be, it can be really hard to live with.
Due to the array of chronic pain causes, and the strange nature of them, doctors often have trouble diagnosing and curing patients. So, what’s a more long-term and natural way to ease the symptoms of chronic pain? Herbal remedies might just be the answer…
What is Chronic Pain?
Everyone has a pain here or there, but sometimes it can be tricky to know whether this classes as chronic pain or not. So, what qualifies as chronic pain?
The medical definition of this is an ongoing pain which lasts longer than six months. It can be caused by a huge array of issues, including:
- A terminal illness
- Poor posture over a long time period
- An injury
- Being overweight
- Carrying heavy objects in the wrong way
- Sleeping on a poor-quality mattress
- Wearing high heels for many years
- Amputation, which causes phantom limb pain
- Surgery gone wrong
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
In some cases, there is no obvious cause; some types of chronic pain could spring up out of nowhere. This is what makes it such a strange issue, and something that doctors sometimes struggle to diagnose.
Can Chronic Pain go Away?
In some cases, chronic pain can disappear on its own. However, in many cases, the pain can be removed through surgery or pain medication. But, the procedures are usually pretty invasive, many involving the brain or spine, which can make them a risky choice.
What Can Be Done for Chronic Pain?
For many sufferers of chronic pain, the situation is, unfortunately, not always as simple as this. As we’ve seen, it can be extremely difficult for a doctor to diagnose you and identify where this problem is coming from, or any chronic pain treatment.
What’s more, even when the pain has been identified, surgery and medication may not always be the answer. With all this in mind, what are some natural ways to help ease this pain? Well, some ideas could include:
- Exercise
- Painkillers
- Heat therapy
- Ice
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Socialize
- Sleep well
- Eat plenty of fibre
- Get a massage
- Enjoy a spa day
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
- Natural remedies
Herbal Remedies to Help Ease Chronic Pain
Many people are skeptical about natural remedies, especially with the advances modern medicine has made. That said, the ancients utilized herbal remedies for the majority of their medical care, and you may be surprised at how effective this can be!
Considering the positive impact natural remedies can have on the body, it’s no wonder that they could be a truly viable aid for chronic pain symptoms. Although they may not be able to cure you completely, they can certainly help you to ease your pain. Some fantastic herbal remedies examples for chronic pain include:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is an Indian spice, which adds that stained yellow colour to your Indian takeaway. That said, that’s not all it’s good for. The active compound within turmeric – curcumin – has a huge number of health-benefitting properties worth noting.
Not least does curcumin help to combat heart disease and even cancer, it also has anti-inflammatory properties. This means it is known for improving the symptoms of arthritis. What’s more, its antioxidants mean it protects the human body from many diseases, as well as old age, so it’s really an all-rounder.
2. Fish Oil
Fish oil is an extract from fish tissue, which can be consumed in a pill or tablet form. Being a natural source of Omega-3 means that fish oil isn’t just great for improving eye health, heart health, mental health, and weight loss. It’s also known to help reduce inflammation, and improve bone health; both paramount in relieving pains.
3. Ginger
Ginger is probably something you utilise in your Chinese cooking rather a lot, but it can also be consumed in tea for a refreshing boost. What makes ginger so beneficial is that it contains gingerol, which has been used for centuries to cure the common cold. It also has amazing healing properties for many other diseases, including:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Period pain
- Morning sickness
As you can see, ginger clearly has some pain-relieving properties, which is no surprise, considering the anti-inflammatory nature of gingerol. Couple this with the proven ability to help with weight loss, and this is the ideal food.
4. Bromelain
Taken from the juice and stem of pineapples, this protein-digesting enzyme is known for combatting inflammation and swelling, which makes it ideal for curing symptoms of maladies like osteoarthritis. It’s also known to reduce muscle soreness, so simply take it in a pill or tablet form, and you’re good to go!
5. Devil’s Claw
This southern African plant has been used for centuries to treat arthritis, in all its forms, back pain, and tendinitis. Its spiky tendrils, which makes it look like it’s in the shape of a claw, provide its namesake, but it’s normally consumed as an extract. This concentrated alcohol-based extract, mixed with water to dilute it to the appropriate dosage, or powders to make tea or pills, can work wonders.
6. White Willow Bark
White Willow Bark has been used since the Ancient Greeks roamed the Earth; the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, even recommended chewing on this as pain relief. Specifically, it’s known to reduce symptoms of menstrual cramps, flu and fever, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, and more. Ultimately, it contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin, known to relieve pain and help reduce inflammation.
7. Boswellia
This resin herbal extract comes straight from the Boswellia tree, in the Arabian Peninsula and north-eastern Africa. Alongside its known ability to help prevent certain cancers, its effective anti-inflammatory properties make it a really effective painkiller. Couple that with its ability to prevent loss of cartilage, and this one’s a winner.
8. Resveratrol
Containing polyphenols, Resveratrol is thought to also have antioxidant effects, helping to protect the body against the common cold, as well as heart disease and cancer. Coming directly from the skin of grapes, this can be consumed in the fruit itself, or in a lovely glass of wine at the weekend. What’s more, it can also be found in foods like peanuts and berries, but in a supplement form, you can truly see its best benefits.
9. Cloves
Cloves may just seem like another addition to your oriental meals, but it’s also filled with antioxidants too. This makes it fantastic at improving bone health, as well as preventing stomach ulcers and bacteria entering the body.
10. Peppermint
Stomach pain, headaches, migraines, as well as menstrual cramps and bacterial infections, are all some of the issues peppermint can aid. Consuming this lovely, fragrant herb in your tea is the most common way to ingrain this into your diet. A peppermint tea a day keeps the doctor away, after all.
11. Lavender
Known for its relaxation properties, lavender is a fantastic addition to many homes, acting as one of the best herbal remedies for anxiety. Be it as an essential oil in your bath, a scented spray for your pillow, or a floral bouquet in a decoration vase.
However, that’s not all, as lavender is much more than that. It’s also an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, and is known for reducing pains, like headaches, toothache, and sprains.
12. Eucalyptus
The Gum Tree, where the eucalyptus leave originates, is native to Australia, but now grows in most places. The leaves are where the medicinal properties reside, so teas and essential oils are how it’s mainly utilized. That said, bung a couple of leaves in your bath to infuse nicely, and you may see a reduction in common cold and pain symptoms, and become more relaxed.
13. Rosemary
This classic British addition to your lamb roast is much more than a delicious scent and flavour. It’s also known to contain antioxidants, perfect for preventing many illnesses. Alongside the anti-inflammatory properties too, it’s another great pain reliever and healer.
14. Feverfew
This flowering plant comes from the daisy family, and is native to the Balkans and Asia Minor. Taking the feverfew leaves, and drying them out, can make for a delicious tea, or fresh leaves can be extracted for oil. Overall, it’s commonly used to prevent headaches or migraines, as well as arthritis, amongst other maladies.
15. Capsaicin
Finally, we have capsaicin; an active component within chilli peppers. Despite the spicy heat of chillies, in a cream or supplement this is known to reduce the symptoms of joint conditions, like arthritis. That’s not all though, as it’s also known to help beat muscles sprains, migraines and headaches, inflammatory diseases, and, you guessed it, fight pain.
Ready to Try Some of These Herbal Remedies?
Clearly, the benefits of herbal remedies for depression, illness, anxiety, and pain can’t be overstated. By implementing a number of these within your day-to-day diet, you may not just reduce symptoms of your chronic pain, but also avoid many unwanted diseases too.
Medical Disclaimer:
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained medical professional. Be sure to consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical or mental health advice, diagnoses, or treatment. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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