Pain Relief and 4 Most Effective Plants

In this post of Plants Folder, we are going to discuss about pain relief and 4 most effective plants in this field. One of the challenges that patients and individuals interested in traditional medicine and herbal remedies face is finding plants that can replace chemical drugs, alleviate their side effects, and provide relief. If you’re among those individuals, the following plants can assist you in this regard:

List of plants effective for pain relief

When you have a headache and don’t want to use pills and chemical medications, what can you do? If you’re someone who suffers from persistent pain, using plants with analgesic properties can be helpful in pain relief, especially if you also incorporate exercise and a proper diet into your lifestyle.

Ginger

Women who experience menstrual pain can find relief by consuming ginger daily. But that’s not all! This plant also can alleviate stomach pain, reduce nausea, and decrease inflammation. It can also help eliminate microbes and promote gum health.

Who should avoid consuming ginger?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers claimed that ginger is a useful substance for preventing infection with the virus and strengthening the immune system. However, one should be cautious about its side effects and the fact that it can even endanger the health of some individuals. Therefore, attention should be paid to its consumption limitations:

•  Thin women who consume ginger may experience irregularities in their menstrual cycles.
•  Although it is recommended for improving blood circulation, in individuals with hemophilia, increased blood flow may lead to severe bleeding and endanger their lives.
•  This plant can significantly reduce weakness and nausea in the first weeks of pregnancy, but its consumption during months 6 to 9 of pregnancy may cause premature delivery and exacerbate uterine contractions.
•  It is not recommended for diabetics and individuals with high blood pressure because it can interact with their medications and pose risks to patients.

How to Use?

Ginger is commonly used in the form of herbal tea, but you can also incorporate it as a spice in your meals. To prepare ginger herbal tea for pain relief, if you have fresh ginger, cut 1 or 2 slices and steep them in boiling water for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you can enjoy your tea. If you are using ginger powder, pour a little less than a teaspoon of it into boiling water and use it after 10 minutes.

 Arnica

Arnica, also known as mountain tobacco or mountain daisy, is a plant from the sunflower family. It has soft, hairy leaves and blooms in late summer. It is one of the most beneficial plants found in nature for pain relief. Arnica has anti-inflammatory properties (due to its anti-inflammatory compounds that help relax injured muscles), provides local pain relief, and the organic compounds present in it help reduce body bruising and can even fade age spots.

How to use

You can use arnica both topically (pain-relieving creams, gels, adhesive pain patches) and orally (tissue salts, tablets, and herbal tea).

Side effects

Although short-term use of arnica on intact skin is considered safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend its oral consumption, and its safety in that form is not well-established. It should not be applied to open wounds or cuts. Possible side effects of arnica include:

• Skin sensitivity
• Gastrointestinal inflammation
• Increased heart rate
•  Potential complications during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Contraindications

The use of arnica is prohibited during pregnancy and breastfeeding, both orally and topically. This plant can reduce blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider regarding its use.

Pepper and Pain relief

There is a substance in red and green peppers called capsaicin, which is one of the most effective pain relievers for localized pain! It is also used for relieving nerve pain caused by diabetes and joint pain. Initially, the topical application of pepper can cause a burning sensation on the skin, but over time, this tingling or burning sensation will subside.

Benefits

Research has shown that capsaicin present in hot peppers can reduce the occurrence of stomach ulcers, inhibit the activity of carcinogenic compounds, stimulate the immune system, and help fight infections. Capsaicin may also aid in weight loss because if consumed before a meal, it increases the feeling of fullness.

Precautions

If you are sensitive to pepper, avoid consuming it, and do not use capsaicin cream on sensitive areas such as eyes or wounds.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Clove has a pleasant aroma and taste, and it has been used as a spice since ancient times. This plant has antiviral and antibacterial properties and is also rich in vitamin C. It contains a natural analgesic compound called eugenol. Clove has numerous benefits, including treating headaches and toothaches, strengthening the immune system, aiding in blood purification, helping reduce nausea, treating colds, and combating fungal infections.

How to use

Clove can be used both orally and topically. For example, clove tea can be made by steeping a small amount of clove in boiling water and drinking it after 5 minutes. Topically, for toothache relief, you can apply a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and gently massage it. Remember not to overconsume cloves as excessive consumption can lead to numbness.

Precautions

Clove has a warm nature, and its consumption is not recommended for individuals with warm temperaments as it may cause discomfort in their kidneys and intestines. It may also interact with medications such as antiplatelet drugs, so it is advisable to consult with your doctor before use. Prolonged placement of clove on the tooth may cause gum irritation.

Summary

Individuals who are not compatible with chemical drugs such as painkillers and seek natural pain relief can use plants such as clove, ginger, arnica, and pepper according to their specific pain and under the recommendation of their doctor. However, these plants may not be suitable for every type of pain, and each pain condition has its specific remedies. We have tried to provide some information about these four plants here, and we hope it has been helpful to you!