My Natural List of Pain Relievers

Do you struggle with chronic pain? Are you prone to headaches? Do you dread that time of the month because of period pain? Do you struggle with arthritis or inflammation? If you said yes to any of these then this blog is for you!

So many of us struggle with various types of pain. It makes life so much harder to enjoy when we constantly have something going on that is limiting us. So instead of loading up on pain medicines consider this list of pain relievers as I use these myself when I experience any pain, inflammation, or discomfort. 

1. Ginger is my go-to for any type of discomfort. Ginger contains salicylates, which your body transforms into a chemical substance called salicylic acid. Salicylic acid prevents your nerves from making certain prostaglandins, ultimately leading to decreased pain and discomfort. Unsure of how to ingest ginger? Grab some ginger, cut it up, and boil it to make ginger tea. Add it to a soup like chicken noodle soup (use a gluten-free noodle-like Explore Cuisine). You can always buy organic ginger tea bags. I consume ginger every single day. Mostly in green juice! 

2. Cacao works wonders! Cacao is high in magnesium which helps the body relax. You can make your own chocolate or there are amazing brands I enjoy made from cacao. You can also add it to a smoothie or hot water and make a hot chocolate. 

3. Chickpeas are nutrient-dense. Chickpeas are anxiolytic which means they help to calm the nervous system. They are great for reducing inflammation. You could add chickpeas to your salad. You could blend chickpeas to make delicious hummus. You could season and roast for a healthy snack. 

4. You could take an Epsom salt bath. Epsom salt baths contain magnesium which can be absorbed through your skin to help relax your muscles and relieve any tension. I recommend taking an Epsom salt bath at least once a week. It is so relaxing and helps me wind down.

5. If you aren't feeling an Epsom salt bath, you could try a sea salt bath. Sea salt contains trace minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and calcium all of which help to ease achy muscles and relieve stress. There have been research studies conducted to show the benefits of treating arthritis. It is recommended to take a sea salt bath 3 or 4 times per week. 

6. Try drinking green juice with dark leafy greens daily! Such as spinach, asparagus, or broccoli sprouts. Broccoli, spinach, and asparagus all contain vitamin B, a nutrient that is important for nerve regeneration and nerve function. These greens also contain a micronutrient called alpha-lipoic acid that prevents nerve damage and improves nerve function. In addition, dark leafy greens contain magnesium and antioxidants. They are among the best sources of magnesium on Earth. Low magnesium levels have been linked to high inflammation levels. 

7. Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Anything that helps reduce inflammation helps with pain relief. Try sprinkling some turmeric on your eggs every morning to drastically reduce inflammation. If you don't have access to turmeric in food form, try taking a supplement of curcumin, which is a compound in turmeric. Curcumin helps boost the conversion of the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA into DHA. 

8. Onions are another great anti-inflammatory food. They contain quercetin, which limits the effects of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Onions may be very beneficial for people with arthritis as they also contain sulfur compounds that can help reduce cartilage damage.

9. Garlic is amazing! Garlic is tasty in just about every dish. Like onions, garlic contains diallyl disulfide, which is an anti-inflammatory compound that decreases the effectiveness of pro-inflammatory cytokines. I have a ton of recipes that contain garlic if you are wanting new ways to incorporate it into your diet!

10. Apple Cider Vinegar helps reduce muscle pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and alkalizing properties. You can mix a teaspoon with water and consume it, or if you don't like the taste you could apply it to the affected area directly. You can mix olive oil and apple cider vinegar for a salad dressing.

11. Wild salmon or other fatty fish are great for decreasing inflammation. Salmon is high in magnesium which is very beneficial as I have mentioned. Research shows that people that regularly eat wild salmon are less likely to develop Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I recommend consuming wild salmon at least 2 or 3 times a week to notice the benefits.

I hope this list helps you relieve any pain or discomfort you are having! We deserve to live pain-free lives, so making these nutrition and lifestyle changes are epic in managing our pain so we can fully live!