7 Best Homemade Natural Painkillers

We are fortunate to have access to several kinds of over-the-counter pain relievers, because daily
life comes with bumps, bruises, and aches. Sometimes chronic conditions like arthritis, sciatica,
or spinal stenosis can be behind the pain. Our first instinct is usually to reach for some
acetaminophen (Tylenol), Motrin (ibuprofen), or naproxen (Aleve). They all do the trick.

However, despite relentless marketing to the contrary, these medications all come with side
effects and are extremely toxic in doses uncomfortably close to the effective dose. It is easy to
overdose. In fact, acetaminophen in the number one cause of preventable liver failure worldwide.
Nothing else even comes close. These medications certainly have their place, but why not
attempt a natural remedy first?

The 7 best homemade natural remedies on our list are all quite effective and come with virtually
no dangerous side effects. You’ll be shocked to learn the old-timey dinner recipe that actually
relieves pain.

And while we’re at it, did you know that people have actually been making tea with a close
cousin of aspirin for many hundreds of years? Read on for these and other fascinating facts about
natural painkillers.

1. Turmeric
Turmeric is instantly recognizable to curry-lovers because it is the spice that gives that signature
dish its distinctive flavor and gold color. Besides tasting delicious, turmeric contains a compound
called curcumin which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
It both prevents free radical damage to your cells and reduces the swelling that occurs in
damaged tissues. A great deal of pain is caused by inflammation, which is why OTC ibuprofen,
an anti-inflammatory more than a direct painkiller, is so often used for pain.

2. Willow Bark
Willow bark is actually quite similar to a common OTC painkiller because it contains salicin, a
close relative of acetylsalicylic acid, i.e. aspirin. People have long chewed willow bark to relieve
aches and pain, lower fevers, and reduce inflammation. These days, willow bark is sold dried for
use in teas, or as a liquid or capsule supplement.
Because willow bark is so closely related to aspirin, it carries similar side effects. Prolonged use
may upset the stomach, increase your risk of bleeding disorders, and slow down kidney function.
It is not recommended for children and should not be mixed with other painkilling medications.
Willow bark is not safe if you’re taking warfarin or any other anticoagulant medicines because of
its association with bleeding disorders.

3. Epsom Salt
Sometimes an external remedy is just as effective as something you ingest. Epsom salt is a prime
example. Soaking in warm water with Epsom salt can relieve bone and joint pain as well as
muscle soreness. This treatment can also be a lifesaver for women with post-childbirth soreness
and for anyone with arthritis or fibromyalgia.
It works because Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate when dissolved in water,
which then penetrates to painful areas. Magnesium, especially, has been found to play an
important role in the way pain signals are sent from brain to body. It also helps regulate muscle
contractions and reduces the symptoms of depression.

4. Bone Broth
Bone broth may have fallen out of popularity in today’s diets, but that’s a shame. Not only does
it mean less of an animal is wasted, it also adds collagen, proline, glycine, and glutamine to
Western diets now largely lacking these critical elements. Made from bones, marrow, and skin,
bone broth is very flavorful and contains many nutrients that can reduce pain.

For example, bone broth contains chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, which you might
otherwise be dropping big bucks for in the form of a supplement. Due to its gelatin content, bone
broth lubricates and reduces friction in your joints. The amino acids glycine and proline work to
reduce inflammation, build muscle, and repair tissue.
5. Cloves
Cloves are a sweet and spicy herb that can relieve pain whether eaten or applied topically.
Cloves come whole, powdered, or in oil. Many people use clove to treat headaches, arthritis and
other forms of inflammation, and toothaches. They may even be good for knocking out fungal
infections, though more research is needed on this topic.

The painkilling compound in cloves is called eugenol, and it is found in lots of OTC ointments
for pain. Straight clove oil can also be applied to gums in the case of toothache or to sore joints
and muscles, but too much clove oil can damage skin so avoid using it for days on end. People
who take blood thinners should skip cloves all together.
6. Comfrey Extract
A promising study of comfrey root cream has shown that it can do wonders for people with back
pain. In the study, 95% of participants who received the comfrey cream as opposed to a placebo
reported a significant reduction in their pain. Other studies have found similar results in the
treatment of arthritis and ankle sprains.

Researchers think comfrey works because the roots and leaves contain allantoin and rosmarinic
acid. It’s the rosmarinic acid that reduces inflammation and relieves pain, but allantoin is
credited with accelerating the growth of new skin cells. However, comfrey should only be used
externally as there is some concern that it may be carcinogenic when consumed.
7. Heat And Ice
Often used in conjunction with other medications, you may want to try the process of alternating
heat and ice before popping any pills. Used together, this is one of the very oldest and most
effective ways of knocking out pain caused by an injury or chronic inflammation. However, it
needs to be done in the correct order to work.
First, apply ice to the site of your pain. This not only reduces swelling and inflammation, it
numbs the area. Make sure to keep a towel between your skin and the ice to prevent ice burn.
Then, after no more than 30 minutes, remove the ice, let the affected area return to room
temperature, and apply heat. Once the inflammation has been reduced by cold, heat relieves
stiffness and relaxes muscles that have contracted around the painful area.