Natural Herbs for Pain Relief

Anyone reaching for an Advil should know there are many natural herbs for pain relief available.  Unfortunately, pain is something that most of us have to deal with at one time or another, especially when you are physically active, and because I am training people, I get asked a lot about pain.

I know a lot about pain because as an athlete, I have suffered from pain from training and running. A couple of years ago, when I was in a marathon, I had to deal with an Achilles tendon injury and when it would flare up I had to find a way to relieve my pain and still be able to train. So I researched a lot of options for natural pain relief, and I want to share with you my three favorite natural herbs for pain and tell you a bit about why and how they work.

White Willow Bark

White willow bark has been used for centuries in China and Europe for natural pain relief. White willow bark is a natural herbal pain reliever which contains the same chemical components that synthetic aspirin is based on — called salicin — but without the many side effects that can come from taking over-the-counter NSAIDS.

Willow bark is used to ease pain and reduce inflammation. Willow bark also has antioxidant, fever reducing, antiseptic, and immune boosting properties as well. You can take White Willow Bark in capsule form, 2 to 3 capsules usually do the trick for me. White willow bark brings pain relief more slowly than aspirin, but its effects may last longer.

Oil Of Oregano

Oil of Oregon is a powerful pain killer. There have been studies published that described how oregano oil supersedes anti-inflammatory drugs in reversing pain and inflammation and is nearly as powerful as morphine as a pain killer.

Oil of Oregano is great for athletes because of its anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply it externally to the skin at the area of pain or you can take it in capsule form, 1 to 2 capsules two times a day.

When you apply the oil to your skin, the oil penetrates deeply into the tissues to bring relief from sprains, torn and sore muscles, tendonitis, cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome and other similar injuries. If you are applying it to your skin, you can use it the straight oil or if your skin is sensitive you can dilute it by adding 3-5 drops of olive oil or carrier oil to 1 drop of Wild Oil of Oregano.

Turmeric

Turmeric is my personal favorite for natural pain relief. You might recognize this orange herb which his used in a lot of cooking, especially Indian cooking. The bright color of turmeric comes from its main component which is curcumin.

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic. When you control inflammation, you can control pain.

For me, the pain relief from turmeric is superior to ibuprofen, and its all nature and has no toxic side effects. The anti-inflammatory agents in the spice are believed to be the main factor in its pain relieving qualities.

Personally, I take a heaping teaspoon of turmeric and mix it in a small amount (2 oz) of water and just drink it really quickly. It takes kind of gritty and sandy, but it only takes and a second, and pain relief lasts for hours!

Try all three of these natural herbs for pain and see which one works best for you and gives you the pain relief you are looking for.