Naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are some of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that sell as common painkillers and most of us have at least one of them in our homes. Whenever you suffer from a stomachache, toothache, backache, headache, or any other type of pain, you simply pop one of these top 10 painkillers, and they do provide relief.
However, the fact that these drugs can have short-term side effects like nausea, heartburn, and rashes also cannot be denied. Prolonged use of such medications can also cause many serious side-effects like stomach ulcers, kidney problems, liver damage, and more. It will thus be wise to think twice before using these drugs. But does that mean you will have to bear the pain? Of course not, you can treat them in a safe way by opting for some of these top 10 painkillers that are readily available in your home, about which we shall learn right away.
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Top 10 Painkillers That You Have At Home:
10. Ice pack
An ice pack can give you relief from many types of pain in a much quicker way than you can imagine. Whether you are suffering from back pain, jaw pain, or a pain from an injury because of falling suddenly then using an ice pack can offer you great relief. Ice pack proves beneficial even if you are suffering from postpartum pain.
An ice pack reduces pain and inflammation during the initial 48 hours, and the cold temperature restricts circulation, creating a numbing effect on your nerves, and this reduces inflammation and swelling. You can use a store-bought ice pack or throw a few ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrap it in a towel, and then apply it the painful area for at least 20 minutes at a time.
9. Hot compress
For getting rid of the pain you can also use a hot compress. A hot compress serves as a perfect painkiller for any kind of chronic or acute pain. The heat dilates the blood vessel, making it easier for the blood to distribute nutrients through your body and also flush out toxins, and this helps relieve pain.
To use this method, you have to take a bowl of hot water, soak a clean cotton cloth in it, wring out the excess water and then apply the cloth on the affected area for at least 15-20 minutes. You can repeat this in every 2 hours if required.
8. Cloves
Ground and whole cloves are used commonly for culinary purposes. It can also serve as a wonderful painkiller and relieve pain associated with headaches, arthritic inflammation, and toothaches. You can use either clove oil or whole cloves as a topical pain reliever.
If you are suffering from a toothache then you can simply chew a whole clove or dab a little clove oil on the paining tooth and the surrounding gum with the help of a cotton ball, and soon you will enjoy great relief. For joint or muscle pain, you can mix a few drops of clove oil with your chosen carrier oil and massage the painful area with it for a few minutes.
7. Turmeric
You surely must have used turmeric many times while cooking and you can also use it to get relief from your pain in a natural way. Turmeric contains Curcumin, which is an antioxidant that keeps your body protected from free radicals, and this, in turn, offers relief from pain.
The best way to use turmeric as a painkiller will be to mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and drink this 2-3 times a day.
6. Cayenne pepper
If you love spicy food and always have a bottle of cayenne pepper available in your home then you also have one of the best natural painkillers sitting on your kitchen rack. Cayenne pepper contains a compound known as capsaicin which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and pain. It even blocks the activation of the pain transmitter of your brain, and this helps to minimize the feeling of pain.
What you can do is take about 2-3 teaspoons of warm coconut or olive oil, add 1/2 teaspoons of ground cayenne pepper to it and mix well. Now apply it on the painful area and allow it to stay for about 10-15 minutes and wash off. You can repeat this once every day until your pain is gone.
5. Olive oil
The oil that you have so long used as a dressing for your salad or for cooking pasta can also help reduce inflammation and pain. Olive oil is known to contain a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits the activity of COX (cyclooxygenase) enzymes that causes inflammation in your body.
To use this remedy, you need to warm a little extra virgin olive oil and massage the painful area with it to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation from muscle cramps and arthritis.
4. Ginger
Ginger is known to affect some inflammatory process at a cellular level. This helps make it a perfect treatment for chronic as well as acute inflammatory diseases. Also, ginger consumption can reduce muscle pain that you can experience after exercising.
You can add some grounded ginger to your everyday meals, or you may even steep about 1 tablespoon of ginger in a cup of hot water for about 5 minutes and then drink it 2-3 times a day to enjoy relief from the pain.
3. Garlic
Garlic has been known to help people cope up with an ear infection, arthritic pain, and toothaches. So, you can also use it to enjoy relief from pain rather than popping any painkiller.
You can make your own garlic oil by adding 3 crushed garlic cloves to 1/2 cup of olive oil and simmer it for about 2 minutes. Strain it and when it is just warm then you can apply it gently on your painful muscles or joints, or you may add 2 drops of this warm oil in your infected ear and enjoy quick relief. For toothaches, you just need to combine a little garlic paste with a pinch of salt, mix it, and apply it on your affected tooth.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint has many medicinal uses. It has a nice aroma that can enhance appetite naturally. Also, if you are suffering from painful stomach due to a gastric problem then peppermint can prove to be of great help. Also, if your stomach is upset due to other reasons you can give peppermint a try.
All you need to do is add a few drops of pure peppermint oil in a glass of water and drink it. Or, you may extract the juice of peppermint leaves and consume it to enjoy relief from pain.
1. Tart cherries
You can also use tart cherries to ease chronic headaches or gout and arthritis pain. But that is not all, even athletes can enjoy great benefit by using these cherries. As per a certain study, those athletes who drank tart cherry juice at least for 7 days before an intense running event experienced less muscle pain after the race. So, you too may start consuming tart cherry juice right from today.
When you have pain-relieving remedies at home why should you opt for the store-bought pills? Not only are these remedies inexpensive, they are also safe, invite no side-effects, and starts showing results really fast. So, the next time you suffer from any type of pain, give these natural painkillers a try straight away.