Medicines in Your Kitchen? 9 Foods That Are Natural Painkillers

When living an organic life, one of the best things that can happen to you is that you find solutions for most of your life needs as natural and pure as possible without harmful additives. Fruits, vegetables and other products, like herbs, have properties that you can incorporate into your beauty routine, as well as your diet. But did you know that you can also take advantage of the healing properties that some foods have?

We live in a western world in which we have man made medicines for everything. I am not trying to diminish modern medicine because it has given us so much and continues to research ways to cure major diseases; but there is an abuse of prepacked medications that have been proven to affect our bodily systems. Have you ever thought about drinking a cup of healing tea instead of taking a pill for that headache? It can have the same effect without putting anything synthetic in your organism. Using a natural remedy over a traditional one helps you focus on the problem instead of just the symptoms, strengthens your overall health and, most importantly, eliminates the risk of side effects often caused by modern medication.

We could say that there is a natural alternative for every little health problem that we encounter. In a previous post, we talked about the benefits of tea to deal with issues like cold or inflammation, so today we are going to focus on some  ingredients that are pain relievers and that you can find in your pantry. Here are 9 of my favorite ones:

Ginger

The ginger is very popular and you have probably used it in many ways such as in our favorite recipes and in natural remedies such as tea to alleviate colds, nausea and stomach inflammation. However, ginger is very effective when fighting pain because of the anti-inflammatory properties that have gotten it the name of “the natural ibuprofen”, helping aching joints from arthritis and also menstrual cramps. Experts have found that ginger has a component called gingerols, which prevents the production of pain-triggering hormones. If you want to incorporate it into your diet, it is recommended that you add 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to your meals.

Coffee

The pain benefits from coffee mainly comes from caffeine.  Coffee made the list because coffee is the most common and one of the strongest source of caffeine (can be found in some types of tea or chocolate). The latest research found that even low doses of caffeine (the equivalent of a small cup) can help reduce the perception of pain during an exhausting task. However, and since it is so easy to just take many cups during one single day, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor about the amount of coffee is safe for you to drink.

Pumpkin Seeds

These little ones are the best solution when it comes to migraines because they are a big source of magnesium. Some research also indicates that it might help to prevent osteoporosis. Other sources of magnesium are almonds and cashews, as well as beans and lentils.

Olive Oil

Experts have found that people who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, seem to have fewer health conditions such as degenerative joint diseases or diabetes, both related to inflammation. It is said that extra-virgin oil might contain ingredients similar to Ibuprofen, the most famous painkiller, so if you are interested in trying its effects, you may want to incorporate it in your diet for cooking your food or even as a salad dressing, it is tasty and easy!

Garlic

The smell might not be the most pleasant, but scientists have discovered that garlic has active ingredients such as germanium and selenium, that work as naturally pain-causing bacteria killers. For a natural solution to an ear infection, put two drops of warm garlic oil and the pain will go away. You can make it yourself, too, just simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin oil, strain and then refrigerate for up to two weeks. Always remember to warm this mix before using it.

Salmon

It is always important to reinforce the benefits of eating more salmon in your everyday life. Rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is good not only for your heart but also for some specific pains like the one in your back or join tenderness of you have rheumatoid arthritis thanks to its level of calcitonin. Another benefit of salmon is that is one of the types of fish that has less mercury, something that is a red flag these days.

Red Grapes

Resveratrol is a chemical compound that is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, and red grapes happen to be rich in it. Experts have found that resveratrol helps to stop certain cells in the body from responding to the signals of inflammation, which lead them to conclude that it helps fighting pain. There are few restrictions when eating grapes, so feel free to eat them with your breakfast or as a healthy snack!

Cherries

People struggling with arthritis, gout and chronic pain problems are finding a relief in cherries, according to researchers at Michigan State University. This study shows that cherries have a component called anthocyanin, responsible for its brilliant red color, which Is a powerful anti-inflammatory, 10 times stronger than Ibuprofen or Aspirin. A good idea is to incorporate a daily bowl of cherries to your diet, which would end up being a delight!

Mint

Besides freshening your breath, mint can be very helpful for relieving pain. The menthol in peppermint helps prevent muscle spasms. You can have peppermint oil to rub in the sore parts, and It will also serve for treating a variety of problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or headaches. For this last one, rub some on your temples or wrists and breathe in the minty scent. It will both relax you and help you with the pain. If at any moment you cannot find the oil, mint tea will be just as good!

The next time you feel a little ache or pain, before you look for that bottle of pain medication, try some natural alternatives. With the world going array with pain medication and opiod addictions, it may take some practice but it is worth seeking other ways and trying some more natural remedies that have been proven for centuries to work. By all means, take your physicians advice but what could be wrong with eating a handful of cherries?