5 Surprising Painkillers

Ranging from mild to unbearable, pain can affect every aspect of your life. Whether it’s a headache disrupting a pleasant gathering with friends, sudden back pain in the middle of your daily walk in the park, or chronic pain related to other health issues, you are probably constantly looking for ways to relieve it, even if only slightly.

Rather than taking another ibuprofen or paracetamol pill and risking side effects, you might want to try more natural pain relief methods. After all, the pain has existed much longer than drugstores, and people knew how to deal with it, whether it was caused by the menstrual cycle, migraines, inflammation, rheumatism, or an injury.

Below, you will find the list of painkillers, among which some might surprise you. From CBD, turmeric, and ginger to cloves and acupuncture — there are many ways to relieve pain without taking medication. Read on to find the best for you, but remember to consult your doctor and not neglect any symptoms.

​CBD

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the compounds present in a cannabis plant, and it is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-pain properties. It works by affecting the way your body processes pain and inflammation signals. Therefore, it can help you deal with nociception (the process of sensing painful stimuli) and inhibit inflammatory cell responses.

CBD is safe to use and can be applied in different ways, depending on how effectively you want to deal with the pain. For example, it can be applied topically, through oil, or even as a vapor, but you can also take it as an oral supplement.

Nowadays, you can buy premium CBD from Thryv Organics and many other sites online. While medical professionals do not recommend it as a primary pain treatment, it might help you with mild to moderate issues. Nevertheless, consult your doctor before taking it to understand how it may affect your health.

Turmeric

A powerful medicinal herb, turmeric has been used by people for at least 4,000 years. This ancient herb has many health benefits, but it was first used as a dye.

Turmeric contains curcumin, a polyphenol compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in numerous studies. Since it can be used orally or topically, you can apply turmeric in different ways, depending on how severe your pain is.

If you are feeling extreme pain, you might want to try using turmeric in all its forms. However, if the pain is only mild to moderate, you may as well try applying it topically. One thing you can do is mix a little turmeric powder or apply some fresh juice to the sore area and cover it with a bandage. Doing this will help you combat chronic pain.

Ginger

Another powerful herb rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, ginger is one of the most potent natural painkillers with multiple uses. Known for its antispasmodic and analgesic properties, ginger helps relieve pain and other discomfort caused by migraines or menstrual cramps.

Additionally, ginger stimulates blood flow in the area of inflammation and soothes any internal pain through its anti-inflammatory properties. If you struggle with chronic pain in the lower back or knees, you can combine ginger with turmeric or massage it onto the affected area.

Alternatively, you can drink ginger tea or eat fresh slices of ginger root to deal with various chronic pains. However, you can always use ginger as a topical pain reliever for acute pains — just apply freshly crushed ginger directly to the affected area, or apply the ginger paste and hold it in place with a bandage.

Cloves

Cloves are another old spice used for thousands of years that have many medicinal benefits. Among them are their analgesic properties. For instance, cloves are very effective when applied topically to combat toothaches and alleviate toothache headaches.

Another great thing about cloves is that they are straightforward to use. You can either take them orally (as capsules) or applied topically (with a warm compress). But remember — putting too much undiluted clove oil directly on the gum tissue can cause damage. To not get hurt, best consult your doctor before trying it at home.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine method of pain relief, is used for treating various health conditions. Its exact mechanisms of action are not fully understood, but it has been proven to treat pain, even in severe cases.

The process of acupuncture involves a series of procedures performed by a trained professional called an acupuncturist. The needles inserted into the skin at specific points on the body are left there for a short time to improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation. Further treatments might involve heating or cooling the area of skin being treated.

The needles can be inserted anywhere on the body, but they are often placed in the ear, hand, and foot. Some practitioners prefer using moxibustion — a process involving burning certain herbs on the skin. Moxibustion stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities and balances its energy flow.

It is believed that acupuncture is effective due to the fact that the needles stimulate specific areas of the brain and nervous system. The nerve impulses caused by this stimulation send signals through the spinal cord to block the transmission of pain messages to the brain and cause the body to release serotonin.

There are not many side effects associated with acupuncture, but some people experience slight swelling, bruising, or bleeding at the sites of needle insertion. It is recommended to use cold packs and avoid physical exercise or high levels of stress for up to 24 hours after each session.

Conclusion

Pain is something that almost everyone has experienced and probably will again. Whether an injury causes it, an accident, or a chronic health issue, it can significantly diminish your current quality of life. But there are ways to deal with that pain naturally, without resorting to medication or invasive treatments.

You can use each of the painkillers we mentioned to alleviate mild and moderate pain. However, you should not rely solely on them to get rid of your health problems. If you are experiencing sudden or chronic pain, visit your doctor and try to find out what is causing it. This way, you will be able to remove the source of the issue and enjoy life to the fullest.