We’ve practically all had that stabbing headache from a long day’s work or a piercing muscle cramp when we’ve got carried away with those weights in the gym. Sharp or dull – we’ve been in pain and more often than once. While it might ease off or decide to cling to you, you usually have two choices – pop pills or bear with it. What if you could relieve the agony without a prescription? That’s the good news; you just might be able to.
Pain is more than just a reaction to a physical symptom – it is a perception. It relates to how you assess the physical sensation. While the Romans and Greeks theorized this idea of pain, by the 19th century, various studies found their place in scientific literature. It was then established that pain is a feeling triggered by the nervous system.
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How do painkillers work?
“Certain chemicals called prostaglandins released at the site of the pain sensation. These irritate the nerve endings which carry signals to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and that’s how we feel pain. Painkillers obstruct these chemicals,” says Dr. OP Garg, Rheumatologist and Head, Rheumatology at BL Kapur Hospital, New Delhi.
He adds, “An overdose of painkillers may damage the protective lining in the stomach. The most common side-effects of painkillers are gastric and peptic ulcers. It may also lead to internal bleeding and kidney and heart problems.”
Drugs came much later, but the earliest cure for pain was found in nature. And once again, we seem to be making a journey back to these traditional remedies.
The one thing that I must set straight is that while natural remedies have an obvious appeal, they may not cure chronic conditions. But they can definitely reduce your dependency on drugs and can help you avoid them whenever you can. You’ll have to agree, it does take more than a prescription pad to really bring relief.
Some Ancient Herbs and Spices that can Tame the Pain:
Neem & Clove Oil for Tooth Ache
It benefits in dental and oral care by inhibiting bacteria that cause tooth decay. Neem can also fight infectious mutans and dental cavities. Clove and clove oil is known to have both analgesic and antibacterial properties, and like neem, it can be help in curbing a toothache caused by bacteria. Neem leaves can be chewed while clove oil should be applied. You can also gargle with neem oil for better results.
Fennel for Stomach Cramps
Fennel (saunf) exhibits antibacterial and antiviral activities. It acts as a carminative – a herb or preparation which is known to prevent the formation of gas. It is also has stomachic reducing properties which means that it helps in toning the stomach and improves digestive functions. Applying fennel oil has been reported to relieve menstrual cramps. It is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. It is also hepato-protective, has the ability to prevent damage to the liver. It can be powdered and mixed with soda bicarbonate, water and a pinch of black salt. This creates a synergistic effect.
Coriander for Joint & Muscle Pain
Coriander (dhaniya) has been known as an analgesic, carminative, digestive, depurative (detoxifying), anti-rheumatic (joint pains) and antispasmodic (muscle spasms) agent. It can be used externally to treat ulcers and rheumatism (joint related ailments).
Ginger for Inflammation and Headache
Ginger is a popular anti-nausea and carminative ingredient. It has been used by people to cure motion sickness. It fights bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Ginger oil acts an anti-inflammatory for arthritis and headaches. In simple terms, inflammation refers to swelling. It can be rubbed on the effected area. Its diaphoretic effect is known to keep your body warm.
Hing (Asafoetida) for Indigestion
It reduces the growth of indigenous micro flora in the gut and also helps in relieving flatulence. It is an antispasmodic which means that it relieves the spasm by counteracting the effects of a hormone produced by the nerves called neurohormone acetylcholine. By doing so, the secretion of stomach acids and digestive enzymes is reduced and regulated. Take a pinch of hing, mix it in a spoonful of lukewarm water and rub it on your stomach.
Green Cardamom
Cardamom is known to enhance the effectiveness of carminative (that combat flatulence) drugs. It is officially recognized in British and US pharmacopoeias and is used as an aromatic stimulant, carminative and flavoring agent. Chewing cardamom helps in regulating digestive fucntions.
Hello, thank you for your article. But I find the information to be insufficient. For example it states coriander is good for joints, but never says how to use it. Do I eat it? how much? make tea out of it? put the leaves on my joints… I think actual recipes would be in order. Thank you again
I love your comments
Good info.keep it up
I am 70 years old and get cramps in the legs quite often, mainly at early morning between 3 and 4 AM. How corriander leaves are to be used and what should be the quantity / dosage
If the ingredients, quantity and dosage were mentioned, it would have been more informative. Thanks for sharing.
Hi. I agree with Christina. You did not say anything about how we can use these remedies at home . Would you kindly add those informations to this article. Thank you very much .
Hello sir ,your article regarding natural ways of healing is simply supereb,and I request you,how to heal by using natural herbs for compulsive repeated negative thinking. Thanks.
IT IS SO EXCELLENT AND REMEDIES ARE 100 PERCENT PRACTICABLE
K Seshatriiyagriv,
You said excellent and practicable how did used it, would u pls kindly tell me. I really appreciate your help.
Thanks
The most important relative issue is that of side-affects and all the ingredients mentioned are natural substances ,so I presume they are comparatively harmless to the laboratory prepared drugs.
The English have categorized them wrongly as “Alternative medicine”, I would rather call them “Native medicine” as they are naturally available in the NATURE.
Drugs are prepared by toxic ingredients with debilitating side affects where as Ayurveda has an viable answer to most diseases with almost nil side affects.
Take for instance a toothpaste , people who used salt, charcoal (ash) , red brick were scoffed in the beginning but today a popular company advocates the usage of these ingredients in their products.
Keep posting such articles just to height the efficacy of our type of medicines compared to the slow poison readily made available by our foreign compatriots .
Dear Sir very gud information abt coriander leaf.I have severe pain my both elbows. Dr.says that vata neer related problems. Could u please suggest for that treatment.
Please let me know how to make fennel oil.Thank you.
Very nice article.But as others has mention amount and how to prepare and use it would be helpful. Thank you .