Dealing with pain – especially any kind of chronic – can feel incredibly debilitating and make daily living life quite difficult.

For many people, it is often the case that they deal with this kind of pain by using (and in some cases over-using) over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

While these medicines can undoubtedly serve as effective pain relievers, consumers should know that by using these medications for an extended period, they can encounter some detrimental side effects – as in the case of liver problems and, in some cases, addiction.

That said, there is a solution – turning to natural ways to relieve pain. Some of the ways that people have traditionally turned to natural ways to relieve pain include using essential oils, herbs, and alternative therapies as part of their strategy to address pain.

While there isn’t any conclusive research on this, there is enough evidence to suggest that these remedies and therapies have helped many people – and that natural remedies more generally help people address pain.

Below, we explore five things you should know about the topic of natural pain relief.

Essential Oils Do Help

For an extended period, many people have turned to essential oils to help them deal with pain.

For example, some research suggests that consumers can extract oils from natural plants such as peppermint to address pain as this plant has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving properties.

This is because peppermint plants have active compounds that include carvacrol, menthol, and limonene. Therefore, to address pain in its wide varieties, peppermint essential oil can be diluted and used as a topical treatment that is then rubbed in the localized area where the pain exists.

According to 2015 studies, this essential oil is known to relieve arthritis, painful spasms, and tension headache pain (by rubbing the oil on the temples and forehead).

That said, experts caution that users should avoid putting peppermint oil on broken skin as it can lead to allergic reactions and irritation.

Another great essential oil to make use of to secure pain relief, ease anxiety and serve as a sleep aid is lavender oil.

According to a 2012 study, inhaling lavender oil can also address any pain associated with migraine headaches.

This is because lavender oil has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. That said, like peppermint oil, users should exercise caution as it can be toxic if used directly.

And so, as a practice, experts recommend that people dilute it using a carrier oil if they are applying it topically – and, of course, never ingest it.

Another great oil to use is eucalyptus oil which can reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in the body when inhaling it.

That said, experts caution that eucalyptus oil should not be used around children, pets, or public more generally as it can trigger asthma.

And when applying it topically, it is always wise to first do a spot check to ensure there won’t be an allergic reaction.

Spices and Roots Address Pain

Many do not know that if they are looking to deal with pain naturally, a great place to start is to go into your kitchen and find the spices and roots in your cupboards and fridge.

Two such examples are ginger and clove. This root is known to be a natural pain reliever in the case of ginger.

According to a 2015 study, experts found that ingesting 2 grams of ginger daily led to a modest reduction in muscle pain, accelerated recovery, and reduced inflammation – especially among those who engaged in rigorous exercise.

While you can undoubtedly build ginger into your diet by using supplements, you might just want to begin by adding raw ginger as a fresh ingredient to smoothies or teas.

In the case of cloves, people have historically used this spice to relieve pain from toothache. But, according to a 2006 study, experts agree that clove gel can be just as effective as benzocaine gel – that is, the topical gel used by dentists to reduce needle pain when getting any kind of minor dental surgery.

Experts agree that while more research is needed, it appears that cloves can be a great natural stand-in to address pain as cloves have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral activity.

Correct Your Posture

Would you believe that slouching – which leads to poor posture – can cause tremendous strain and pain in your back and neck.

When using Hempvana Straight 8, it has become clear that this item provides pain relief and helps you stand taller so that you are not slouching.

As a result, Hempvana Reviews have expressed excitement over the ability to stand straight and feel better with help from Hempvana Straight 8 training tool.

In addition to the pain relief it provides, Hempvana Straight 8 is discreet – that is, you can wear it underneath your clothing, and this one-size-fits-most training tool has fully adjustable straps and works on all body types.

Acupuncture

Another strategy to deal with natural pain is to turn to acupuncture. According to The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), this alternative therapy is excellent at reducing low back pain, neck pain, knee pain, tension headaches, osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal pain, and more generally.

Turmeric  

Finally, turmeric – which is also considered a spice – is also great at relieving pain. According to a 2014 study, turmeric is considered as effective as ibuprofen in managing pain and reducing inflammation.

Many use it as a natural ingredient by adding it to their curries, smoothies, or juices.