The health industry is one of the most vibrant industries the world over and scientific research has enabled the industry to come up with all types of medicine. However, most synthetic medicines are quite expensive (source).
What most people don’t know is that there are over 20 natural foods commonly found in most kitchens that can be used as natural painkillers. Before spending your money on synthetic medication, try out the following food substances to ease pain.
Lets get started
1. Cider Vinegar
Do you suffer from frequent heartburn? Cider vinegar is an effective heartburn reliever that can keep the burns at bay for over 24 hours (source).
Taking 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with eight ounces of water every time before a meal helps to reduce heart burns. Cider vinegar contains malic and tartaric acids which speeds up the digestion process preventing it from washing to the esophagus, which triggers heart burn.
2. Yogurt
A report showed that over 80% of women suffer from premenstrual syndrome and its aching symptoms. It is caused by the variation in estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, which in turn affects the woman’s nervous system.
According to webmd taking two cups of yogurt can reduce PMS pains by more 48%. It has also been proven to soothe burning hemorrhoids by killing the bacteria that causes rectal itching (source).
3. Salt
Ingrown toenails are painful and affect over 6 million Americans every year (source). Studies show that soaking your feet in warm water mixed with salt can help cure the pain in four days (source).
As an anti-bacterial, salts works as an anti-inflammation and destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. The same mixture can also be used to cure sore-throats as it works under a similar principle.
4. Honey
Mouth sores are some of the most common minor oral injuries in most households. They come from taking hot foods and fluids and make eating and drinking difficult and painful if left untreated.
Studies however show that natural unpasteurized honey is the best pain reliever and cure for mouth sores. It contains natural enzymes that act as inflammation and attacks the virus that causes sores and heals the damaged tissues.
5. Coffee
Researchers at the National Headache Foundation have found that coffee as a stimulant can be used to reduce headaches and mitigate migraines. Studies have shown that taking a 12-ounce cup of coffee can help reduce headaches mostly associated with fatigue by 40%.
Studies also show that people who are dependent on synthetics to cure migraines are advised to wash the drugs down with coffee (source). It stimulates the stomach lining to absorb the painkillers more quickly and more effectively.
6. Ginger
Scientific research proved that including a good amount of ginger in your diet can help reduce indigestion, swelling, muscle, and joint pains by 63%.
By adding at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to your meals daily can help deal with pains in two months. Ginger contains potent compounds called gingerols that mitigate the production of pain triggering hormones within the body.
7. Garlic
With the boom in the entertainment industry, the use of ear and head-phones has become rampant. Because of this, earache and ear infections have increased (source).
Research shows that garlic oil is the answer to this growing menace. Applying two drops of warm garlic oil every day can help to cure earache in just five days. It contains germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds that inhibit the pain causing bacteria in the ear.
8. Turmeric
Nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes showed a research that proved that turmeric as an effective inhibitor of diabetes (source).
Turmeric is actually as effective as many other synthetic painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Cornell researchers also found out that turmeric was used to reduce chronic pain suffered by arthritis and fibromyalgia patients by over 50% (source). It contains curcumin, which inhibits the production of cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that aids in the production of pain causing hormones.
9. Pineapple
Stomach bloating has become a rampant disorder that has risen with the rise of protein and fast food intake. It is caused by indigestion of food and blockage of small intestines.
A cup of fresh pineapples daily can help to ease the pain associated with bloating (source). Pineapples contains proteolytic enzymes that help to speed up digestion and the breakdown of food in the stomach.
10. Cloves
Toothache is one of the most painful occurrences that anyone can go through. The period between seeing the dentist and when the pain starts is the worst. Many people never know what to do to reduce the pain.
According to healthline.com, cloves have been found to be the answer to this. It contains eugenol a powerful natural anesthetic that destroys the pain causing bacteria in and around the tooth.
11. Cherries
For all manner of muscle pain, then cherries are a perfect reliever.
Cherries contain Anthocyanins, compounds that have been found to be stronger pain relievers than ibuprofen or aspirin (source). A bowl of cherries have proven to work well against gout, chronic headaches and arthritis.
12. Oats
Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus. It is mainly associated with women during their menstrual cycle.
Studies have shown that an increase in oats intake can help reduce the pain by over 60%. They are gluten free - a major cause of inflammation.
13. Peppermint
Peppermint oil has been found to have compounds that aid in soothing sore muscles and stubborn knots (source).
By soaking your arms or feet in a combination of warm water and 10 drops of peppermint oil can help reduce cramping muscle pain by over 25% according to Mark Stengler, an author of the book The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies.
14. Tomato Juice
Leg cramps has been a growing pain illness affecting many people all over the world. It is associated with long work-outs, walks and other strenuous activities that lead to the depletion of potassium in the body, which leads to painful leg cramps.
According to webmd, however, it can be cured by consuming 10 ounces of tomato juice that is normally rich in potassium.
15. Flax
Breast soreness that is usually caused by the need for women to wear a bra all day. Flax has however been found to contains compound, mainly phytoestrogens that help in preventing the production of estrogen which triggers soreness (source).
Doctors recommend 3 tablespoons of flax daily can help solve the problems in under a fortnight.
16. Blue-berries
A research by Harvard University showed that a cup of blueberries could help reduce the chances of getting UTIs by over 60%. They contain tannins, plant compounds that help in destroying the bacteria that cause the infections according to Amy Howell, PhD. a scientist at Rutgers University.
17. Grapes
A cup of grapes every day can help reduce the chances and intensity of back pains (source).
The pain is caused when their insufficient supply of blood to the vessels in the back. Grapes help to relax tight blood vessels, significantly which then improves blood flow to damaged back tissues.
18. Baking Soda
Most often than not, we all experience a burn whenever we are at the kitchen. Many people, however, don’t know the best remedy to ease the pain. Baking soda is the answer (source).
It is an alkaline based product which should be applied in paste form to the burnt area. It helps to neutralize the acid in the burnt area preventing infection and easing pain.
19. Lemon
Lemons are some of the best natural remedies for a common cold, sore throat, and a blocked nasal cavity (source).
Lemons contain acids that help in inhibiting the bacteria that causes sore throat. By gargling natural lemon juice, the pain associated with sore throat is mitigated. Taking hot lemon water has also been found to help in curing colds.
20. Water
Taking more water everyday guarantees to get rid of almost all types of aches and pains in the body (source) especially when there is a wound.
Research shows that taking 8-ounce glasses of water daily helped reduce pains. Water was found as an inhabitant of histamine, a compound produced by injured tissues.
With that in mind
Its obvious many natural pain relieving foods are always readily available and cheaper than synthetic medicine. So, the next time you experience discomfort from pain, check around for suitable foods that can help you relieve it. However, if the pain persists, seek medical attention.
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