Five Most Common Herbal Analgesics

By Author: Thomas Strickland
Total Articles: 102
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Sometimes prescription and over-the-counter medications aren't the most effective solution for relieving pain. Sure, they are available everywhere and a single pill can help you get rid of most types of pain within a few minutes. However, in some cases there may be contradictions and side effects that will restrict your use of painkiller drugs. And you certainly don't want to deal with such things when you actually need effective pain relief and you need it fast. Not to mention that some strong analgesics may actually lead to a dependency and you'll have more problems than just pain to deal with.

However, there are effective alternatives to traditional painkiller solutions and the most popular are of course herbal solutions. Sometimes natural analgesics can be compared in effectiveness to such medications as Tramadol, while being virtually free of the potential side effects you get with prescription drugs.

One of the most effective natural analgesics is Capsaicin. This substance is found in chili peppers and is actually responsible for the famous burning taste of this food. However, Capsaicin is also very effective ...
... in reducing the sensitivity of nerves, acting as an analgesic. That's why this substance is included in a variety of topical solutions and cremes used for relieving different types of painful sensations. It is especially effective in cases of physical trauma, muscle spasm or sores.

Another famous natural analgesic is white willow bark. It is even nicknamed as herbal aspirin for its universal analgesic effects. Salicin, the substance found in white willow bark, is actually the active ingredient of aspirin, which makes it so effective for all kinds of inflammatory processes and painful sensations.

Turmeric is also a very popular herbal pain relief solution due to its active ingredient, curcumin. This substance is very effective for relieving various types of pain because of its anti-inflammatory effects. Turmeric is the herb responsible for the yellowish hue of the most curry powders. Of course, applying or eating curry for pain relief is not the best idea, since an extract of turmeric is needed to have the right concentration of curcumin for proper pain relief effects. Such extract capsules are available in any pharmacy and can be bought without prescription.

Fish oil also has surprising analgesic properties. When fish oil is digested it is divided into prostaglandins - chemicals that act like hormones providing anti-inflammatory effects. Eating seafood on a regular basis does not provide the right amount of oil, for this you will need cod liver oil that is easily found in just any store. Besides the anti-inflammatory effects, fish oil is very beneficial for other health aspects as well so consuming it on a regular basis is highly recommended.

Ginger is another widely spread herb famous for its anti-inflammatory effects. It can soothe the pain associated with a variety of conditions. Adding a lump of ginger to the teapot will provide a refreshing and relaxing effect, however this tea with also have certain analgesic effects. Ginger extract capsules are also available for more serious painful symptoms.

Of course, if your condition requires such strong analgesics like Tramadol its better to get a prescription. But if your pain is mild you can easily deal with it using these herbal solutions.