Natural Painkillers: 13 Best Plants for Pain Relief

Pain is, sadly, one of the signs of life. However, this does not change the fact that it is still an unwanted occurrence, no matter if it comes from a trivial source or something very serious. In either of these alternatives and everything in between, any person desires to have something that can resolve that pain. Today, the modern pharmaceutical industry created numerous options for the same purpose, but anyone who is of a prepper and survival mentality knows that these are not reliable tools in an emergency.

History already shows that there are many moments when disasters struck – either man-made or natural – in which the regular state of society breaks down. The same occurrence takes most elements of the safe, contemporary society and leaves the people to fend for themselves. The same applies to medicine and any industrially-produced remedy for pain. Something similar can occur even on a personal level. An individual lost in the woods or some other part of the wilderness cannot count on finding a pharmacy if they experience pain. Yet, the natural environment is full of things, especially plants, that act as natural pain killers.

When someone experiences a small headache, some muscle tension or something else, they quickly reach for acetaminophen, ibuprofen and many other other over-the-counter medications. However, these are one of the first things which disappear in an emergency and not only that – prolonged use of these substances produces internal damage, like intestinal problems, liver damage and much more. Because of all of this, there are numerous reasons to employ natural pain relief methods for any issue a person might experience. With that in mind, here is the list of the best plants for pain relief anyone can find and use.

 

1. White willow bark

Willow bark has been called the original Aspirin because it contains salicin. This is a compound that allows the stomach to convert it to salicylic acid. When in synthetic form, it can irritate the stomach lining, but as white willow bark, it can just as effectively relieve inflammation, pain, and fever. Just one or two doses per day can produce these effects that last 24 hours.

 

2. Feverfew

feverfew

Feverfew has a reputation for being one of the most effective plant-based treatments for headache, especially the treatment of migraine pain. It has also proven itself more than effective in reduction of nerve and joint pain. The medical researchers believe that the bulk of its pain-relieving properties come from its anti-inflammatory elements.

 

3. Boswellia

boswellia

This plant is also known as Indian frankincense and it comes with active components that help in reducing pain and inflammation. The same plant can be used either as a digestible supplement, which means being eaten, or it can be applied like a gel or creme locally.

 

4. Bromelain

pineapple plant

Bromelain is a type of enzyme that is regularly found in the pineapple – mainly in its stem and juice. It is used to reduce the occurrence of swelling and is proven to be very effective in the sinuses. Many individuals who struggle with knee and joint problem, as well as arthritis also found bromelain effective.

 

5. Capsaicin

chili

This compound is derived from hot chili pipers and it can locally reduce muscle, joint, and nerve pain by stopping a transfer of chemicals from the painful place to the brain. This substance cannot be used constantly, but when applied several times per day, it does effectively regulate pain.

 

6. Cloves

harvested cloves

Cloves possess eugenol, an active ingredient that offers a natural means of pain relief. The same ingredients have been applied even in dentistry, where a small amount of clove oil that is rubbed in the gums can temporarily relieve toothache.

 

7. Devil’s Claw

devils claw

According to many recent research papers, devil’s claw when taken orally work on the same level as many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its main focal point is joint and muscle pain, so people with osteoarthritis have been using it successfully for years either with or without regular pain killers.

 

 

8. Ginger

ginger plant

Ginger is always in the best plants for pain relief lists as it acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. In many cases, it can provide better results than ibuprofen and this particularly applies to arthritis. Also, ginger has been able to stop many inflammatory compounds from further in the development and thus stop the whole inflammatory process in the body.

 

9. Rosehip

rosehip winter

Rosehip and rosehip oil, in particular, has been used as a part of herbal medicine. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been employed for relieving symptoms that include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While it cannot cure any of these conditions, its application is still widespread for basic pain reduction.

 

10. Suranjan (Colchicum luteum)

Suranjan (Colchicum luteum)

Suranjan, which is also known as Habbe Suranjan or Colchicum luteum, is a natural medicine that is used for pains related to joint issues. These include gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Suranjan can do this because of this anti-inflammatory and analgesic components that alleviate pain and stop the process of inflammation.

 

11. Turmeric

turmeric plant

Turmeric is a curry-the spice that has anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties according to some research. It is able to improve blood clotting and circulation, while its ingredient curcumin is able to lower important enzymes that induce inflammation.

 

12. Valerian Root

valerian plants

One of the most overlooked alternatives when it comes to the best plants for pain relief is without any doubt valerian. This plant is much more than a simple analgesic and includes hypnotic and anti-anxiety properties. Because of them, the plant is able to provide a range of benefits when it comes to pain but also the mental well-being associated with chronic pain issues.

 

13. Aloe Vera

aloe vera

This plant has long been an important element in cosmetics and topical pain relief remedies because it produces a really beneficial interaction with the skin, muscles, and joints. Essentially, research has found that aloe vera products a balancing effect on the body’s immune system and this allows it to help with inflammation. Locally, aloe vera can reduce the feeling of pain and swelling anywhere near the skin.

 

With any of these best plants for pain relief, anyone can find and attain substances that work as well as any over-the-counter medicine that can be found in a regular pharmacy.

Leave a Reply

3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Anonymous
Anonymous
5 years ago

I’ll go with chili pepper have tried it myself it’s effective

Michael Treloar
4 years ago

Good article & excellent way to articulate. Keep it up.

Mindy Jollie
Mindy Jollie
4 years ago

I didn’t realize that capsaicin from peppers and chilis can be used for natural pain relief! My dad has problems with chronic back pain. I’ll have to make sure he looks into some of the better natural options so he doesn’t take too many pills.