Make the Pain Go Away with These Foods and Drinks
People take a lot of pills today. And
sometimes that's okay. But using too many painkillers can really cause
damage to your body. So, if your pain is mild to moderate, you should
know that nature has provided us with quite a number of natural
painkillers. These 19 foods are natural remedies that can be used to
alleviate many types of pain.
1. Muscle Pain – Ginger
Danish researchers found that regular
consumption of ginger could reduce chronic muscle and joint pain, as
well as swelling and stiffness within just a couple of months. The
credit goes to the main ingredient in ginger – Gingerol, which inhibits
the production of pain-inducing hormones. A teaspoon of dried ginger or 2
teaspoons of fresh ginger every day will do the trick.
2. Toothaches – Cloves
Powdered cloves are a known home remedy for
toothaches and gingivitis. Furthermore, recent research from the
University of California proved it scientifically by isolating the
active ingredient that reduces the pain. It is an organic compound
called eugenol – a powerful natural anesthetic. ¼ teaspoon every day
will help keep your heart healthy, and scientists are saying that it
also aids in stabilizing blood-sugar levels and even starts lowering
cholesterol levels within three weeks.
3. Acid Reflux – Apple Cider Vinegar
If heartburn constantly plagues you, you
can stop it with apple cider vinegar. The active ingredients in the
vinegar that treat reflux are malic acid and tartaric acid, which
quicken digestion and help your body break down fats and proteins.
Faster digestion means fewer chances for the stomach to overflow with
acids, causing the reflux. By adding just a tablespoon of apple cider
vinegar to a cup of water before every meal can prevent acid reflux
within 24 hours.
4. Earache – Garlic 
Often referred to as “nature’s antibiotics”, garlic indeed possesses
powerful anti-inflammatory qualities. Experts from the Mexico School of
Medicine claim that applying two drops of warm garlic oil into the ear
can cure an ear infection in five days. Garlic contains minerals such as
selenium, germanium and sulfur, which are all very toxic to most kinds
of bacteria.
To make your own garlic oil, slowly cook (do not boil) three garlic
cloves in half a cup of olive oil for two minutes. Filter the oil and
use it as instructed (make sure it’s not too hot). The oil can keep for
up to two weeks in the fridge.
5. Headaches and joint pains – Cherries
Michigan State University found that the
daily consumption of a bowl of cherries is highly beneficial for people
who suffer from headaches and various joint inflammations. Anthocyanin
is the pigment that gives cherries their bright red color. It is also a
powerful anti-inflammatory, ten times more powerful than ibuprofen or
aspirin. Anthocyanin actively paralyzes the enzymes that cause tissue
inflammation, making cherries the perfect treatment. Eating about 20
cherries every day will do the trick.
6. Stomachaches – Fish
Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome,
enteritis – all of these can be treated by eating fish. Many a research
has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can actively reduce
stomach cramping and enteritis. In some cases, Omega-3 was found to be
as effective as prescription medicine. The fatty acids aid in
maintaining the general health of the digestive system thanks to their
anti-inflammatory properties.
1 pound of fish per week is enough to support the digestive system. The
fish richest in Omega-3 are salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines,
and trout.
7. PMS – Yogurt 
80% of women suffer from PMS-related pain before and during their
periods. The reason for the pain is the nervous system’s sensitivity to
the changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. A study conducted at
Columbia University found that eating two servings of yogurt daily can
reduce the intensity of PMS pain by almost 50%. Yogurt is rich in
calcium, a mineral that naturally soothes the nervous system, thus
preventing painful symptoms despite the hormonal changes.
8. Chronic Pains – Turmeric 
Turmeric was found to be three times more powerful than ibuprofen,
aspirin, and naproxen. Researchers from Cornell University found that
turmeric can heal up to 50% of people suffering from arthritis and
fibromyalgia. The active ingredient in turmeric – curcumin, paralyzes
the enzyme that causes serial pain. A ¼ teaspoon of turmeric every day
will reduce your chronic pain considerably.
9. Endometriosis – Oats
When the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside the
uterus, it may cause a severe and painful inflammation that drags on
long after the end of the period. Luckily, an oats-rich diet can reduce
up to 60% of the pain within six months. The reason is that oats don’t
contain gluten, which can induce inflammation in many women.
10. Ingrown Toenails and Toothaches – Salt 
An ingrown toenail is a common ailment that affects millions of people
around the world. Luckily, it’s easily treatable by using salt-water.
Stanford University researchers found that soaking your feet in salt
water can heal ingrown-related infections in just four days. Salt is
antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
To make use of its benefits, add just a teaspoon to a cup of warm water,
and then add it to your foot bath to use twice a day until the
infection is gone. Additionally, dentists recommend gargling with salt
water to treat and prevent gingivitis. Doing this can also help when
you’re suffering from a throat infection.
11. Indigestion – Pineapple
Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit that are rich in
protein-breaking enzymes. These enzymes help the body with the digestion
processes, speeding it up and reducing stomach pains that come from gas
buildups. Researchers at Stanford University found that one cup of
fresh pineapple every day can treat pain caused by gas within 72 hours.
12. Muscle Pains – Mint
Cramped muscles can be painful for months, especially if they originate
from incorrect posture or reoccurring overexertion. A hot bath with ten
drops of mint oil, three times a week, is 25% more effective than
prescription drugs. The hot water helps relax and loosen the muscles
while the mint oil soothes the aching nervous system. Such treatment
will also help reduce the frequency of future pain.
13. Backaches – Grapes 
In a study conducted at the University of Ohio, researchers found that
one cup of fresh grapes per day can help improve blood flow to the
damaged tissue in the back, sometimes within as little as three hours.
The spine is highly dependent on the nutrients and oxygen in the blood,
making eating grapes a highly beneficial act.
14. Injury-Related Pains – Water 
Good old H2O – we need it to survive, but researchers at Manhattan
College in New York found that water can also ease pain from injuries.
When body tissue is damaged, it produces a chemical compound called
histamine, which causes pain. Water dilutes the amounts of histamine in
the blood, thus effectively reducing the level of pain.
Water is also essential for the health of the cartilage tissue between
our bones, as well as lubricating our joints and the soft tissue in our
spine. A well-hydrated body is a well-lubricated machine, which prevents
joint pains. Doctors recommend drinking 8 cups of water per day.
15. Sinus Pain – Horseradish
Sinusitis is a chronic disease that affects many people. It is
effectively a state of infection of the cavities in the skull. Sinusitis
causes severe headaches, face pains and can even hinder breathing.
German researchers discovered that horseradish can increase the blood
flow to the sinuses, decongesting them and draining any obstructions
that may cause the infection. Eat a teaspoon of horseradish every day
until your symptoms are gone.
16. Oral Infections – Honey
Experts from the Dubai Center for Health recommend treating mouth sores,
cold sores and other oral infections with honey. Honey contains
anti-inflammatory enzymes that destroy viruses and speed up the healing
process. To effectively treat such sores, it is recommended that you
apply unpasteurized honey directly onto the wounds four times a day. The
healing process will take 43% less time compared to OTC ointments and
creams.
17. Chest Pains – FlaxSeeds 
Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogen, a compound that prevents changes in
estrogen levels that cause some women pain. All you need to do is to add
three tablespoons of flaxseeds to your daily diet. This should help
with the pain within 12 weeks.
18. Migraines – Coffee
People suffering from chronic headaches or migraines can benefit from
drinking coffee. Caffeine improves the stomach lining's ability to
absorb medication, increasing its effectiveness by up to 40%. If you’re
taking headache medication – take it with a cup of coffee.
19. Cramped Muscles – Tomato Juice 
Our muscles tend to cramp when our bodies don’t have enough potassium.
Diuretics or excessive sweating can cause potassium deficiency.
Potassium is a mineral that is essential to our muscles’ health. A study
conducted by the University of California found that drinking one cup
of tomato juice every day can help ease cramped muscles and prevent
future occurrences