Those who deal with chronic pain understand just how debilitating it can be. While there are a variety of prescription pain medications on the market which have been designed to help people deal with pain, they also come with the risk of misuse and even addiction. Fortunately, there are several natural ways in which you can ease your chronic pain and enhance your quality of life.
The following are five natural substances you can turn to relieve your pain, without risk of dependence or unwanted side effects.
Lavender Essential Oils
Lavender has long been known for its ability to aid in relaxation and insomnia. However, its effect on decreasing physical pain has recently been discovered through a variety of medical studies. In many situations, lavender has produced the same effects as a mild painkiller, helping to decrease physical symptoms of chronic or acute pain.
Lavender can be ingested as a tea, baked into bread or muffins, or even topically applied directly to the painful area of the body.
There are a multitude of studies that have also suggested that lavender has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for burns and other topical injuries. Some studies have suggested that lavender also acts as a mild tranquilizer, which can also be beneficial for pain relief or even anxiety. Lavender continues to be one of the most popular ways people choose to relieve pain naturally and effectively.
Cannabis
Most people are aware that the medical cannabis industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade. While once regarded as an illicit and illegal substance, it is now being touted as a powerful and natural pain killer, with substantial medical benefits. Through worldwide research and medical studies, cannabis has been found to relieve nausea, vomiting, and pain in a variety of conditions.
According to Theory Wellness, which is a Great Barrington dispensary, “edible cannabis is great for providing long-lasting therapeutic effects”. Medical grade cannabis can be used in a variety of ways, including in tinctures, edibles, concentrates, and vape pens. Pain relief from cannabis can be achieved by ensuring that you purchase medical-grade strains from a reputable company.
Cloves
Once touted as the best way to relieve tooth pain, cloves have been shown to produce significant pain relief in additional ways. By applying cloves in a gel form directly to the affected area, a person will experience a significant decrease in their pain level.
Many people who use cloves for pain relief compare the effects to those of benzocaine, with a slight numbing or tingling effect that works by dulling the affected nerves around the area. Cloves for pain relief can be ingested in powder form, applied topically as a gel, diffused as oil and inhaled, or swished as a mouth rinse.
Capsaicin
While most people are familiar with capsaicin and its ability to make peppers spicy, this potent natural pain killer can pack a punch when it comes to acute or chronic pain as well. When applied to the affected area, capsaicin causes a slight burning sensation that can dull chronic pain in a matter of minutes.
There are a variety of capsaicin-based products readily available over the counter, which are recommended for those who are looking for a natural and effective way to relieve pain without experiencing negative side effects.
Ginger Root
There have been several studies regarding ginger root and its ability to decrease pain, primarily in athletes who suffer from receptive muscle injuries or sore muscles due to over-training. Ginger root can be used in a variety of ways to benefit from its medicinal properties, including as a tincture, tea, or capsule. One of the best ways to benefit from ginger root’s natural pain-relieving properties is to include it as the main ingredient in a smoothie.
Only a couple of grams of ginger root are needed to achieve pain relief.
Millions of people across the world have to live with chronic pain, however, there is hope. While you may choose to avoid prescription painkillers, there are several natural solutions you can utilize which are just as effective in decreasing pain, alleviating troublesome symptoms, and promoting a higher quality of life.