When you first feel the signs of a migraine attack coming along, do you immediately pop the pills that your doctor prescribed? If you have the common headaches, muscle or joint pains, do you ‘prescribe’ a medication for yourself and look for an over-the-counter pain killer?
It’s good to rely on medications for the more serious medical conditions that you may have- but for the common aches, pains and health complaints, it really makes much more sense to rely on natural remedies.
This is especially true because of the recent spate of health news about how some over-the-counter medications are discovered to actually cause more complications to your health after treating a supposedly simple ache or pain in your body.
Why ‘Natural’ is the Way to Go when Treating the Most Common Aches, Pains & Health Conditions
Let’s say that you feel a headache coming along and you swallowed a couple of Aspirins. This over-the-counter drug is used to relieve minor aches, pains and is also used to reduce fever.
Aspirin is also used as an anti-inflammatory medication and when given in low doses, can be used to repair damaged blood vessels; that is why it is used on a long-term basis by some individuals who have problems with their heart.
But the side effects of aspirin include stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers. When improperly given to children with flu or chickenpox, taking Asprin may cause Reye’s Syndrome to appear.
This is not to say that Aspirin is something that you should completely steer clear of. In fact, this drug is one of the most widely-used medications in the world.
However, it does pay to realize that rather than risking the possibility of experiencing undesirable side effects when you are taking over-the-counter medications for the most minor aches and pains – you do have the option of going ‘natural‘.
Although some individuals may scoff at natural treatments being old-fashioned or mere old wives’ tales, there really are a lot of natural treatments and home remedies which are equally effective as over-the-counter drugs. And the one advantage that natural treatments have over pills is that they do not cause any side effects.
In addition, natural treatments are less expensive, more effective, they are gentler to your body and they are environment-friendly.
The Top 10 Best Natural Treatments & Home Remedies for the Most Common Aches, Pains & Health Concerns
So what are some of the best natural treatments and home remedies for the most common aches, pains and health concerns that people experience on a regular basis? Read on to find out:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar may be a staple ingredient in most kitchens, but did you know that this is a great natural remedy for heartburn?
If you are experiencing heartburn, it could be due to overeating, stress, indulging on too much spicy food or having too many trips to the refrigerator to steal a snack or two at midnight.
Rather than taking your typical dose of antacids, you can down a spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar.
What this does is to break down the excess foods that you have consumed and restore the normal balance in your stomach.
2. Natural Oils
If you feel a headache coming on, try rubbing lavender or peppermint oil on your temple.
You can also apply the soothing natural medication on your neck – and sniffing its aroma may actually lessen the pain that you are feeling – as indicated in science of aromatherapy.
Another type of natural oil that you can use to treat toothaches is clove oil. That shooting pain on your gum is no fun at all and while you are waiting for your dentist to address the problem; places a couple of drops of clove oil on your tooth and gum.
Another alternative is to bite on a crushed garlic clove, which has antibacterial properties.
3. Green Tea
Yet another natural treatment that you can use as a substitute for antihistamines is green tea.
When you have this habit of reaching for the really strong prescription medications like antihistamines the minute that even the mildest of allergies attack – it will actually cause your body’s immune system to get weak.
As such, it pays to go for natural and body-friendly treatments like green tea. Down two to three cups of this soothing beverage when you have an allergy attack and wait for this natural wonder to work.
In addition to being a natural antihistamine, green tea also has the following benefits to your health:
• Lowers the blood pressure and prevents hypertension.
• Provides protection against cardiovascular diseases.
• Protects against certain types of cancer.
• Speeds up the body’s recovery after a heart attack.
• Thins the blood and helps prevent blood clotting.
4. Cayenne Pepper
Although cayenne pepper puts the sizzle and spice in most foods, it can be actually soothing when used as a natural remedy for cuts.
Aside from stopping the bleeding immediately, sprinkling cayenne pepper on the affected area will actually ease the pain.
5. Flaxseed
Women who are experiencing discomfort due to undergoing the menopausal stage will be glad to know that there is a natural remedy for it: flaxseed.
Hot flashes are a particularly common problem for menopausal women and flaxseed can effectively prevent this.
All you need to do is mix about 1.4 ounces of ground flaxseed into the foods that you are eating and it will relieve menopausal symptoms as effectively as prescription medications.
6. Honey-lemon Tea
If you’re in a job which requires you to talk almost all day, then you might often experience sore throats.
This could also be a sign of the common colds or a flu coming on – and you can counteract the pain on your throat by gargling with warm salt water.
Then, follow it up with a cup of hot honey-lemon tea and you’ll feel better in no time at all.
7. Honey, Mustard, Potato
No, this is not a recipe for a salad – they are actually the natural first-aids which you can use to treat a burn.
Don’t subscribe to the myth that rubbing toothpaste on the burnt area will help heal the burn.
Sure, it may feel cool and soothing to your skin but it is not actually doing anything to help heal your burnt skin.
What you can use instead is honey which has antibacterial properties; a slice of raw potato whose juices will soothe the burn; or mustard which can also double up as a burn salve.
Finally, Aloe Vera gel is also a great natural treatment for burns, which you can apply after rinsing the affected area with cold water.
8. Chamomile Tea
If you have digestive problems, down a cup or two of chamomile tea.
What the herb in the tea does is to relax the spasms in your stomach.
9. Tart Cherry Juice
One of the most common pains that most people immediately treat with medication is muscle pains.
Let’s say that you just came from a workout and you feel drained, and it seems as if every muscle in your body is aching.
For this, you can depend on the natural treatment of drinking a bottle of tart cherry juice. This helps the sore muscles on your body recover, and it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Turmeric
If you are experiencing arthritis or joint injuries, the Indian spice turmeric will work wonders for you.
All you need to do is include a couple of tablespoons of turmeric or yellow curries while cooking meat or any curry dish – and you will generally feel better afterward.
With these top 10 natural remedies for the most common aches, pains and health complaints, you will feel better afterwards – and you would not have to go through any side effects at all.
