The first impulse when we feel any pain in our bodies will be reaching for a pill. What we do not know, or otherwise know but ignore is that these medicines we rely on to relieve our toothache, headache, backache, or any other type of pain come with the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and addiction. This article highlights several homemade painkillers that can help relieve you of the pain, anxiety, stress, and get you relaxed. Below are some of the best herbs for natural chronic pain relief.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea relieves you from stress and anxiety. The menthol present in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant. Taking peppermint tea when stressed out or anxious, helps you calm down. Apart from being the best herb for pain relief, the relaxing effect of peppermint tea and its lack of caffeine will help you have a peaceful sleep. You can use both dry and fresh peppermint leaves to make tea;
For dry peppermint leaves
- Add 1 tablespoon in about 8 ounces of boiling water.
- Let it steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Strain before drinking
For fresh leaves
- Add crushed leaves in boiling water
- Allow simmering for 2 minutes
- Strain before drinking
Passionflower tea
Passionflower tea is another excellent natural remedy for people with anxious and obsessive thoughts. It helps induce peaceful sleep because of its ability to increase the production of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid a brain chemical which, calms and provides relaxation. The floral tea calms the mind while relaxing the nervous system. In addition to that, it alleviates indigestion hence calming the stomach. The flavone chrysin contained in passionflower has anti-anxiety benefits thus when taken improves sleep quality in the short-term. To prepare this best herb for pain relief;
- Add 1 tablespoon of dried passionflower in a cup of boiling water
- Allow steeping for 10 minutes
- Strain before drinking
Chamomile Tea
Most times anxiety and stress lead to sleepless nights. Drinking Chamomile tea will not only reduce these two but also help treat insomnia and reduce irritability. To prepare a natural chronic pain relief tea from chamomile;
For dry chamomile
- Add 3-4 tablespoons in 8 ounces of boiling water
- Allow steeping for 5 minutes
- Strain before drinking
For fresh chamomile
- Add chamomile flowers into a pot of hot water to infuse for 3 minutes
- Strain before drinking
Rosemary Tea
Rosemary contains salicylate that gives it its pain-relieving qualities, and also helps in soothing nerves and stress. Calming anxiety, stress, and assisting people in relaxing, is another popular use of rosemary tea. The nervine qualities of this tea lower stress hormone levels and promotes calmness. Rosemary tea is an easy to make homemade pain killer.
Decaf green tea
Green tea is one of those healthy options serving as bedtime teas, mostly preferred by people who do not like the taste of herbal teas. Decaf green tea contains theanine, which reduces stress and improves sleep. Some other benefits of this tea are; potential weight loss, deeper sleep, better digestion, increased cognitive performance and reduced cancer and diabetes risk.
Green tea contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve flare-ups associated with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The health-promoting compounds called polyphenols are what makes green tea the best tea to reduce inflammation.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea may be the solution you need for joint and muscle pain relief. Ginger makes the best tea to reduce inflammation because its extract contains phytochemicals that help stop inflammation. Ginger contains several antioxidant compounds that minimize the production of cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory substances in the body.
Turmeric Tea
Turmeric is used to relieve heartburn, arthritis pain, and to reduce inflammation. It contains curcumin, a yellow compound that has anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces pain and inflammation by interfering with the pathways that lead to this condition. Therefore, Tumeric tea makes another best tea to reduce inflammation.
Lavender Tea
Lavender herbal tea made from light lilac-colored lavender flowers that boast a sweet and floral aroma that is intoxicating and relaxing. Yogis and massage therapists use this scent to induce relaxation and calm. It is known for its natural pain relief properties. According to research, lavender tea boasts natural sedative effects that soothe anxiety and lead to better sleep. Researchers say that regular consumption of lavender tea can significantly improve mood, decrease symptoms of depression, and lower levels of fatigue.
Final Word
Just like in the old days, turning to nature for solutions is the best option for finding natural chronic pain relief methods. Instead of going for pills you may make use of the above variety of best herbs for pain relief. The best part about these homemade pain killers is that; you do not have to find a pharmacy, as much as they are the best herbs for pain relief, you can make them at the comfort of your home.