Natural Painkillers – The Best Alternatives to Ibuprofen & Co.

Painkillers like ibuprofen are a quick and easy fix. However, they are not healthy for your body in the long run. We show you proven herbal home remedies that can relieve your pain without any side effects. Here are the best natural pain relievers.

drugs and their side effects

Medicines are now available quickly and easily in pharmacies, even without a prescription, without the appropriate dose or treatment time being adequately communicated. Ibuprofen is one of the most commonly used drugs Many take ibuprofen as soon as they experience any type of discomfort, such as a headache. The active ingredient of the remedy usually works quickly and promises relief. However, as with other medicines, taking it can cause side effects and put a strain on your health . Therefore, if the symptoms are not too great, use herbal, natural remedies.

Herbal painkillers and their effects

It doesn’t always have to be conventional painkillers that help us with severe pain. Natural remedies have always existed, a healing effect has also been confirmed and usually solves the problem. They are used not only because they are natural, but also because they work naturally and do not harm the body with side effects . As a chronic patient, you should of course be in constant consultation with your doctor. However, the additional intake of natural painkillers can usefully supplement therapy and alleviate your symptoms.

Important: As long as the symptoms are kept within limits, natural remedies help to relieve our pain. If there is no improvement after taking the home remedies , please see a doctor for advice.

Top 8 Natural Pain Relievers

Below we present helpful, natural alternatives to the painkiller ibuprofen .

1. Arnica for pain

Arnica is a now widespread and often used plant that is best known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties . It particularly helps with muscle pain and tears, shock, stomach pain, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation.

You should only use arnica externally and not ingest it. To use, pour a teaspoon of arnica in a cup of warm water. Then use a clean cloth to apply the active ingredient to the affected areas.

2. Ginger for pain

Many people know that ginger is healthy and strengthens the immune system – but the fact that it can also be taken for pain is certainly new to some. In addition to strengthening the immune system, ginger has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic function, similar to the active ingredients in arnica.

Ginger can be used externally, especially for sprains, arthritis , general inflammation and carpal tunnel syndrome. To do this, cut off a piece of ginger, pour warm water over it and let it steep for about five minutes. Then dab the affected areas with a cloth and the natural treatment is complete.

If you are suffering from nausea, ginger can also lead to improvement. Eat a small piece of ginger, which stimulates the appetite and keeps the gastrointestinal tract going.

3. Turmeric for pain

The natural active ingredient turmeric is anti-inflammatory and keeps our joints healthy. Therefore, the medicinal plant is pain-relieving in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis . Refine your dishes easily with turmeric, which goes particularly well with oriental dishes such as curry. Golden milk is particularly popular and health-promoting. A drink that consists of plant milk, turmeric, ginger and a few other ingredients. In Ayurvedic teachings, golden milk has been considered a healing, stimulating and cleansing drink for centuries. The turmeric milk relieves discomfort in the joints, supports digestion and strengthens the immune system. If you don’t like turmeric in a dish or as milk, you can also use the active ingredient in capsules .or take powder form in a highly concentrated form.

4. Licorice for pain

Before you start taking licorice, you should discuss it with your doctor first . If he doesn’t see any concerns about your treatment with licorice, you can easily buy licorice as a tablet, cream or capsule in pharmacies or health food stores and take it instead of conventional painkillers. However , in the case of hypertension , potassium deficiency, type II diabetes, hepatitis and during pregnancy, the active ingredient of the medicinal plant should be avoided. The reason: The substance increases blood pressure , cortisol levels and placenta permeability, so that the healthy endocrine and brain development of the unborn child is disrupted.

5. Cayenne pepper for pain

The natural plant cayenne pepper is not only a culinary delight for seasoning, it also acts as an anti-inflammatory. Still, you should keep in mind that cayenne pepper is hot and very tasty, not everyone can handle the hotness. Avoid contact with the mucous membrane and protect your eyes. If you don’t want to use it as a powder, you can buy it as an ointment, cream, or essential oil at health food stores.

If you prefer the powder for treatment, pour hot water over 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and drink small sips from time to time throughout the day. Once you have decided on the ointment, apply it carefully to the affected area. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards or use gloves from the start . Otherwise unpleasant side effects such as severe burning could occur.

Also interesting: 3 reasons why pepper is so healthy. >>

6. Willow bark for pain

Willow bark has an analgesic effect. It is often used as a natural painkiller for headaches, muscle and menstrual cramps . Willow bark, for example as a tea , also helps to reduce fever and with osteoarthritis and arthritis. If you are allergic to the drug aspirin, we advise against treatment with willow bark, as both willow bark and aspirin contain salicylic acid, to which some are allergic.

7. Peppermint Oil for Pain

Peppermint oil is also a real all-rounder among natural painkillers. It not only helps with digestive problems and an irritable bowel syndrome, but above all with tension headaches and muscle pain. The reason for this is probably the ingredients contained in the oil, which stimulate the skin’s cold receptors and make pain fibers less sensitive . If you want to take advantage of this effect, then massage the diluted oil directly onto the painful area.

8. Onions for pain

Onions are not only known for their flavor, but also as a well-known home remedy for sore throats, earaches and insect bites. The onion acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and has an antibacterial, pain-relieving and germ-killing effect. Therefore, if you have a sore throat or cough, you can mix onion juice with honey and take it regularly.

The onion is also used for a painful middle ear infection. Cut an onion into small pieces and wrap them in a handkerchief. Then place the onion pouch over your ear. The onion relieves the symptoms and has a decongestant effect.

Foods as natural pain relievers

Not only remedies like arnica, turmeric and ginger serve us as effective  natural pain relievers . Food can also reduce inflammation. Plant-based omega-3 sources in particular bring the ratio of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids  back into balance. Therefore, eat walnuts, hazelnuts , almonds, flaxseed and dark green leafy vegetables regularly, but also vegetable oils such as olive and flaxseed oil. Fatty fish can also be on the menu once a week, such as salmon, sardines and trout. Try it!

You should avoid white flour products as much as possible due to the large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids. You should only consume animal products in moderation, as the purines they contain attack your joints and can lead to gout.

More tips for physical ailments

Editor’s note: This article contains, among other things, product recommendations. When selecting the products, we are free from the influence of third parties. For mediation via our affiliate links , we receive a commission from the relevant service provider/online shop when a purchase or mediation is made, with the help of which we can continue to offer independent journalism.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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