5 of the best natural pain remedies

Step aside Ibuprofen
Back Pain
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Amelia Glean10 May 2017

There’s no doubt that painkillers help reduce pain. However, taking them too regularly has been linked with an increased risk of a heart attack, a study published in the BMJ has found.

Researchers from Canada, Finland and Germany conducted an analysis of previous studies, which held data on almost 450,000 people - 61,460 of whom had suffered a heart attack.

They found that taking any dose of NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen and naproxen, for one week, one month, or more than a month was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack).

So instead of reaching for the antibiotics at the first sign of a headache, use these top five natural remedies for when pain starts to rear it's ugly head.

1. Cherries

Due to the presence of compounds called anthocyanins—the same phytonutrients that give cherries their rich ruby hue—you can count on cherries to tamp down pain. Muraleedharan Nair, PhD, says, “They block inflammation and they inhibit pain enzymes, just like aspirin, naproxen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.” Cherries are said to have the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food, making them great for remedying issues such as arthritis.

Cherries are currently in season
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2. Exercise

Although exercise might seem like the last thing you want to do when you're in pain, releasing your inner endorphins can work as a pain reliever. Endorphins work by binding to the opioid receptors in your brain to block the perception of pain, similar to opioid pain medications, such as oxycodone or morphine. Spurring increased production of these natural hormones can substantially help reduce your pain, as well as produce profound feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Any activity that gets your blood pumping for a sustained period will release pain-relieving endorphins into your system. It's best to pick an exercise that is tolerable and start with it, with help from the right type of health professional, such as a physiatrist, chiropractor, or physical therapist.

The gym may not be as good for you as you think
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3. Cloves

Whole cloves are often used to spice up meat and rice dishes. Ground cloves are used in pies and many other foods. As a medicine, cloves can be found in capsule or powder form. Clove oil is also available. Like other herbal supplements, cloves are used to treat a wide range of conditions. They may help ease nausea, treat colds and relieve the pain associated with headaches, arthritic inflammation, and toothaches.

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4. Pineapple

Whether you're a fan of pineapple on pizza or not, the tropical fruit contains many pain relieving benefits. Bromelain, which is a powerful enzyme found in pineapple, gets absorbed into our bodies whole, unlike other enzymes, resulting in system-wide effects. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, studies have shown that it can reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Eating pineapple will provide you with enough bromelain to feel the effects, especially if you juice the hard stem and drink it on an empty stomach. Juicing pineapple in a combo with aloe, ginger and turmeric is also a powerful anti-inflammatory pain relief remedy.

Fruits bananas and pineapples
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5. Turmeric

Turmeric is a root and part of the ginger family. You'll have seen it everywhere, in lattes, juice shots and now as the latest trend for adding to porridge oats. But you will need to take in around 1-2 grams per day to feel the benefit. The miracle spice curbs inflammation, says Eva Selhub, MD, a clinical associate at Massachusetts General Hospital and author of Your Health Destiny. You can cook with it, make tea with it or take it in capsule form.

(Shutterstock )
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