Many herbs, roots, and parts of different plants in nature are an essential part of the human diet, are used as cosmetics, and some even have strong medicinal properties.
Not always we need to reach for pharmaceutical drugs and painkillers, even if there are more than hundreds of types and varieties, we can always seek the natural alternative for treating different conditions from headaches to arthritis pain, burns, and inflammations.
The number of painkillers found in nature is huge, but here is a list of nature’s most powerful plants with painkilling properties.
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Chili Peppers
The main compound in chili peppers, the chemical which makes them so hot and causes the painful burning sensation is capsaicin.
Capsaicin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and believe it or not it is a major ally in reducing the pain in throat infections. When you have a sore throat, next time, try drinking a cup of hot tea, but also, try and eat one red chili pepper. It will ease the pain instantly.
Peppermint
Peppermint is frequently used as a natural painkiller for various health conditions that cause pain and discomfort.
Peppermint can help in treatment for toothaches, stomach pain, painful menstruation, and headache. This herb can also help ease the vomiting reflex and bring relief from nausea.
Ginger
Ginger is a root with powerful anti-inflammatory properties and compounds which can help ease many painful processes happening in the body. It has been a vital ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Ginger is used in treatment for arthritis, helps ease nausea, decrease menstrual cramps and helps soothe muscle soreness. Ginger also improves circulation and can be of great assistance in the fight against the common cold.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a part of the chamomile family and it is used to treat common headaches, but also migraines.
Feverfew contains elements that cause relaxation of the smooth muscle tissue in arteries and by doing so, reduces spasms that are one of the causes of migraines.
Feverfew also helps in soothing menstrual cramps by inhibiting the production of chemicals that cause inflammation.
Cherry
Cherries are more than just delicious and juicy fruit. They contain a compound named anthocyanin- which gives them that rich red color but is also a compound you can count on to reduce pain.
Anthocyanin is powerful antioxidant- helps fight damaging free radicals, but also has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties which inhibit pain enzymes, just like pharmaceutical painkillers.