herbs and oilChronic pain is discouraging, to say the least. You visit your doctor for relief, but all you get is a prescription for pain pills. If you’re tired of relying solely on medication to keep your pain under control, it might be time to start looking for natural remedies.

As it turns out, many of the foods in your pantry and refrigerator have the ability to fight pain naturally. The suggestions here each have a place in a healthy diet, but as an added bonus, they may even help keep your pain under control. Here are eight of the top pain-fighting foods as recommended by Everyday Health and Prevention.com.

Olive Oil

Researchers have identified compounds in olive oil that work similarly to the ingredients in ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory medication. By using this oil when you grill vegetables and make salad dressing, you may decrease pain from joint disease and reduce your chance of contracting diabetes.

Fish

Several types of fish, including salmon, sardines, and herring contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation-related pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Thyme

You may think the fragrant green leaves of the thyme plant are used for nothing more than enhancing the flavor of your stew, pasta, or rice, but various compounds in thyme are thought to interfere with pain receptors. In one study, thyme was just as effective as dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug, at reducing pain perception in mice.

Ginger

Ginger has been used throughout history to soothe upset stomachs. More recently, this spicy root has also been found to contain anthocyanins, which fight inflammation and inhibit pain similarly to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This means increasing your ginger intake can help fight everything from sore muscles to migraines to arthritis pain.

Here are some options for eating ginger:

  • Grate fresh ginger root into Asian dishes and fruit smoothies.
  • Make ginger tea by placing peeled, sliced ginger root in boiling water and steeping it for 15 minutes.
  • Make ginger lemonade by combining grated ginger root, lemon juice, and honey in ice water.

Turmeric

The spice that gives Indian food its signature yellow color is such an effective anti-inflammatory that it’s considered a supplementary way to ease rheumatoid arthritis pain. It can also protect against tissue destruction and preserve healthy nerve function.

To get more turmeric in your diet:

  • Eat curry.
  • Sprinkle the spice on salads, soups, vegetables, rice, and pasta.
  • Take turmeric supplements with your doctor’s permission.

Peppermint

While mint is known to freshen your breath, it can do much more thanks to its menthol content, which has the ability to reduce muscle spasms. This makes peppermint an effective way to fight headache pain naturally. To get peppermint into your system:

  • Chew on the leaves.
  • Rub peppermint essential oil on your temples or wrists and breathe in the scent.
  • Brew peppermint tea and add a squeeze of lemon to extract as many pain-reducing chemicals as possible.

Red Grapes

Resveratrol is the key component in red grapes that gives them their anti-inflammatory properties. This compound stops certain cells from reacting to inflammation, meaning it can fight pain naturally. Research shows that combining resveratrol—which is also found in peanuts and berries—with turmeric may enhance the inflammation-fighting abilities of both.

Cherries

These and other red to violet fruits contain anthocyanins, the same powerful antioxidants that make ginger such an effective anti-inflammatory and pain inhibitor. Add a bowl of cherries to your breakfast each morning or drink tart cherry juice daily to reduce inflammation and muscle pain.

Visit Spine Correction Center for Treatments that Fight Pain Naturally

What ailment causes your ongoing pain? Whether you have headaches, arthritis, joint disease, or another condition, changing your diet is an effective way to fight pain naturally. You can also access natural treatments at Spine Correction Center to reduce your aches and pains without pills or invasive procedures.

If you’re interested in pursuing natural pain relief, please contact us online or call our Fort Collins office at (970) 658-5115 and set up your free consultation today!