20 natural pain relievers in your kitchen

You probably didn’t know that you have quite a few natural pain relievers in your kitchen. We share a list of them with you.

Ginger for muscle pain

When certain Danish researchers asked people with pain to add ginger to their diet, muscle and joint pain, inflammation and stiffness up to 63 percent of them were cured within two months. Experts credit a powerful compound in ginger called Gingerol, which prevents the production of hormones that trigger pain. The recommended dose according to the study: Add at least 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to daily meals.

Cure toothache with cloves

Do you have a toothache and can’t go to the dentist? Gently chewing a clove can help relieve toothache and gum inflammation for two hours straight. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful natural pain reliever. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves into daily meals. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar. In addition to discouraging the production of artery-clogging cholesterol in just three weeks.

Cure heartburn with cider vinegar

Take 1 tablespoon of pure apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before each meal. Experts say it could close painful bouts of heartburn in just 24 hours. Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, which are powerful digestive aids that speed up the breakdown of fats and proteins so that your stomach can empty quickly, before food goes into the esophagus causing heartburn pain.

Remove earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections bring millions of Americans to doctors’ offices each year. For a quick cure, simply place two drops of hot garlic oil in the sore ear twice a day for five days. This simple treatment can clear ear infections faster than prescription medications. Scientists say the active ingredients in garlic (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To make your own garlic oil, gently simmer three cloves of minced garlic in a half cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks. For an optimal experience, slightly warm this mixture before use so that the liquid feels soothing in the ear canal.

Keep away joints and headaches with cherries

The latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you are one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your pain. Without the stomach upset often caused by today’s painkillers. Research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give it its bright cherry red color, are anti-inflammatory 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation. So you can prevent, as well as treat, many different types of pain. A tip: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) a day, and then continue until the pain disappears.

Fight digestive problems with fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory and bowel diseases…if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try eating 18 ounces of fish per week to relieve it. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramps and abdominal pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription medications. EPA and DHA are powerful, natural and anti-inflammatory with no side effects that can improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract. For best results, look for fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout, and herring.

Prevent PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome) with non-commercial natural yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women may struggle with PMS and bothersome symptoms, some researchers report. The reason: Your nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs of estrogens and progesterone that occur naturally each month. But eating 2 cups of yogurt a day can reduce these symptoms by 48 percent. Yogurt is rich in calcium, a natural mineral that calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms, even when hormones are in flux.

Control chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at relieving pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain, 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even** fibromyalgia**. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a torrent of pain-producing hormones. Studies Recommended Dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily on any rice, chicken, meat, or vegetable dish.

End of endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to calming endometrial pain could be a bowl of oatmeal a day. Endometriosis occurs when small pieces of the lining of the uterus separate and grow outside the uterus. Experts say that these migrating cells can make menstruation painful, causing a lot of inflammation that triggers severe cramps, as well as intense pain that lasts throughout the month. Fortunately, scientists say that opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats do not contain gluten, a protein that causes problems and causes inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear.

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say that at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown toenails in hot salt water baths can cure these painful infections in four days. The salt in the mixture naturally lowers inflammation, and is also anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause inflammation and pain. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt per cup of water, heat to the highest temperature you can comfortably handle, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice a day until the infection clears.

Prevent digestive disorders with pineapple

Do you suffer from gas? A cup of fresh pineapple daily can reduce painful swelling within 72 hours. That’s because pineapple is naturally full of proteolytic enzymes, which are digestive aids that speed up the breakdown of proteins** that cause pain in the stomach and small intestine, researchers say.

Relax sore muscles with mint

Do you suffer from tense muscles and soreness? Painful knots of tight muscles can last for months if not treated properly. Here’s a good tip: Three times a week, soak in a tub of warm water scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. Hot water relaxes muscles, while peppermint oil will naturally calm nerves, a combination that can help relieve muscle cramps 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter pain relievers, and reduce the frequency of future exacerbations by half.

Give your back some love and care with grapes

Do you have a sore back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest that eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax narrowed blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first cup). That’s great news because your back vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are totally dependent on the blood vessels near them to bring them nutrients and healing oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissues.

Eliminate the pain of injuries with water

Whether it’s feet, knees or shoulders that are throbbing with pain, experts say you could kick-start your recovery in a week by simply drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Because? Experts say that water dilutes, and then helps eliminate histamine, a component that triggers pain caused by injured tissues. In addition, water is a key element of the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones, and the lubricating fluid of the joints, and the soft discs of the spine. And when these tissues are well hydrated, they can move and slide over each other without causing pain. One word of caution: Make sure you measure your glasses to know how big they really are before you start drinking. Today’s juice glasses are often larger than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

Cure sinus problems with horseradish

The latest studies show that sinusitis is the number one chronic health problem in the US. And not only does this condition stimulate congestion and facial pain, it also makes patients likely to feel six times more pain everywhere. According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally speeds up blood flow to the nasal cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays. The recommended dose according to the study: One teaspoon of fresh radish twice a day (either alone or with meals) until symptoms disappear.

Fight bladder infections with blueberries

Eating one cup of cranberries a day, alone or juiced, can reduce the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) by 60 percent. That’s because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that cover up the problems caused by bacteria in the bladder so they can’t sustain themselves and create an infection.

Heal wounds in the mouth with honey

For painful mouth ulcers and cold sores, use unpasteurized honey four times a day until these skin problems disappear, and can heal up to 43 percent faster than using a cream. The natural enzymes in raw bee honey destroy invading viruses and accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.

Fight breast pain with flaxseed

According to a recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to your daily diet could relieve breast pain for one in three women in 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent estrogen spikes that cause chest pain. More good news: You don’t have to bake bread to add this healthy seed to your diet. Sprinkle ground flaxseed on your oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and vegetarian sauces.

Cure migraine with coffee

Prone to migraines? Strengthen your pain reliever with coffee. Whichever pain medication you prefer, researchers say that just one 12-ounce cup of coffee will increase its effectiveness by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb pain relievers faster and more effectively.

Leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people are regularly struggling with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is expelled by diuretics, caffeinated drinks or excessive sweating during exercise. But drinking 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily will not only speed up your recovery, it will reduce your risk of painful cramp attacks in just 10 days.