Herbal treatments provide a natural way to manage pain without the harmful side effects associated with pharmaceutical medications. From turmeric and ginger tea, to acupuncture and essential oils, these natural treatments have proven their ability to both decrease inflammation and lower pain levels.
Acupuncture helps relieve pain by altering blood flow and chemical levels within the body, while ginger acts as an natural anti-inflammatory supplement that can be taken either in tea form or via supplements.
Turmeric
Turmeric, known as an all-natural pain reliever with anti-inflammatory properties, can be taken as a supplement to reduce chronic inflammation in the body that may cause discomfort.
Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric that provides its many health benefits. According to research, curcumin can reduce inflammatory markers in blood and may help with conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Furthermore, curcumin increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor production which promotes nerve cell growth.
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, illness or infection and sends chemicals directly into the affected area to protect you against harmful pathogens – however prolonged inflammation can become problematic and lead to chronic pain as well as serious health issues.
One natural way to combat inflammation is through diet, regular exercise and relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. These methods may complement traditional treatments while giving individuals more control of their own health and providing an effective alternative to over-the-counter pain relievers that may have potentially dangerous side effects. Herbal remedies such as white willow bark, boswellia and bromelain may also be effective tools in managing pain by increasing endorphin production – the body’s own natural painkillers.
Boswellia
Boswellia, often referred to as Indian or Fragrant Frankincense, is an herbal extract commonly used in traditional Indian medicine that may help manage chronic inflammation. While scientific research surrounding boswellia remains limited, recent studies show its potential as an effective treatment option for conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Studies conducted in 2019 demonstrated that boswellic acid may help reduce inflammation in those with RA; more clinical trials are required, however. Other research suggested it could alleviate symptoms related to asthma and fibromyalgia as well.
Boswellic acids may block certain enzymes responsible for swelling in the body and may even prevent cancer cells from spreading and tumor growth, according to a 2016 paper. They may even prove effective against cancerous cells themselves and be useful as cancer treatments – although more clinical trials will likely be required before their use can be fully exploited.
Before trying any new herbs or supplements, it is wise to speak with your healthcare provider first. Boswellia may interact with some medications and interfere with blood-thinning medications; to check this use the RxList Drug Interaction Checker prior to initiating herbal treatment plans. Furthermore, this herb should be avoided if you suffer from liver or kidney diseases.
Quercetin
Herbal remedies offer an effective natural way to relieve pain without the side effects associated with medication, providing antioxidant protection as an added bonus. They can be used alone or part of a comprehensive pain management plan; in addition to this approach, regular physical activity, meditation or yoga sessions will also help increase circulation which in turn can decrease pain levels.
Quercetin, an anti-inflammatory flavonoid found in many fruits such as apples, berries, pears, apricots and apricots), vegetables (such as leaves onions capers and seeds) as well as in fruits such as apples berries pears apricots), vegetables leaves onions capers seeds quercetin has been demonstrated through various test-tube studies to reduce inflammation while inhibiting enzymes responsible for initiating an inflammatory reaction; one clinical study conducted with people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis showed quercetin reduced morning stiffness and post activity pain while decreasing markers such as TNFa and IL-6 levels by 61%!
Research conducted thus far indicates quercetin may help suppress tumor growth in cancer cells; however, large-scale clinical trials must still take place before these results can be confirmed. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s explanation for quercetin’s effectiveness: it interacts with certain molecules within our bodies to stop them turning on and off genes which promote inflammation.
Essential Oils
Aromatherapy with essential oils offers a safe and natural way to relieve pain. These highly concentrated plant oils extracted from aromatic herb and plants’ leaves, roots, stems or flowers offer numerous health benefits that include aromatherapy scenting in perfumes or cosmetics as well as providing analgesic support against different pain conditions including backache.
Some essential oils contain cooling components to relieve headaches and muscle tension. Eucalyptus oil’s camphorous components help provide analgesic effects by constricting blood vessels – commonly found in over-the-counter cold and flu treatments but also effective against arthritis or fibromyalgia pain when blended with lavender or chamomile essential oils.
Ginger oil can be an ideal remedy to increase circulation and relieve joint and muscle pain, while acting as an analgesic for arthritis, fibromyalgia and IBS sufferers.
Sandalwood oil has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. Studies suggest it has similar effects to some over-the-counter medications but may be safer, according to a 2022 study. Rosemary oil can act as a sedative, relieving tension and anxiety while potentially alleviating muscle soreness associated with hemodialysis, an expensive medical process which filters waste out of blood vessels.
