Natural Remedies for Pain (Herbal & Nutritional)

Pain is a culmination of physical, emotional, spiritual & mental disharmony in the body. Find relief with holistic remedies, inner-healing & nutrient therapy.

When we have any physical pain, life seems so unfair. It feels like the whole world is moving on...without you. You feel you are stuck with this horrible pain while others are enjoying their life and moving on. 

Not anymore - if you are someone with chronic pain, due to whatever reason - be it cancer or diabetes or accident or just high inflammation, rest assured this article WILL help you solve your pain issues for once and for all. This is a comprehensive guide to give you tools to combine that you feel will benefit you and hence, help you arrive at a 100% pain-free body. So, let's start - today's article is interesting!

                                Physical Pain - Topical Holistic Remedies

First, we are going to talk about what you can apply to take care of your pain. These will be topical analgesics that will bring you 100% relief - after all, to move and do chores, to go for therapy, to eat well, you need to first take care of your physical pain right away.

​1. Arnica (Arnica montana) - Arnica is grown in the mountainous regions of Europe and North America and comes from the sunflower family. It has been used for pain management since centuries in Europe.

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy used to treat arthritis, joint pains, muscle spasms and soreness, bruises and sprains. It is usually used in accidents and sports injury recovery. In fact, arnica is so effective that it has been studied to replace ibuprofen in pain management.

Why is arnica so effective? It is because of its anti-inflammatory & analgesic properties. It is best used topically as it can cause dizziness/tremors in some if taken internally - without any guidance or knowledge. Homeopathic remedies that contain arnica are highly diluted and safe so if you choose to take it internally, buy a good brand that sells high quality product and has an established name in holistic/homeopathic field or working with the guidance of holistic doctor. For topical application, which is a much easier and better option due to safety, you can easily find arnica gel, cream, ointment or salve in any health food store or online. Apply it 3 times a day on pain areas and you will see the difference.
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2. Castor Oil - Called Ricinus Communis, castor oil has been used since centuries in India, Egypt, Persian culture for beauty and pain. In the West, it was late Edgar Cayce who bought the benefits of castor oil to the mainstream.

Why is castor oil so good and multipurpose? Its ricinoleic acid, which is 90% of the the fatty acids found in castor oil, have anti-inflammatory as well as pain relieving properties. Castor oil is also used for constipation as it works like a laxative. It also works as a detox which is often done by castor oil packs/massage.
Castor oil has been used for relieving pain such as arthritis, sciatica, back & hip pain, knee or joint soreness, wound healing, psoriasis, acne or redness due to inflamed skin, menstrual pain/cramps.

How to use for pain? - Take some castor oil and warm it if you like. You can add coconut/olive/mustard/almond/sesame oil to thin it a bit. Saute 2-3 cloves of finely chopped garlic & ginger in coconut oil and then add this oil along with garlic cloves & ginger to the castor oil. Massage this mix to your pain areas everyday 2-3 times and feel the difference right away! You can also buy some ginger essential oil and add to the mix. 
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3. Hemp oil/salve - Hemp oil is derived from the hemp plant's seeds and contains the pain relieving chemical CBD (cannabidol) but in much less quantity and unlike THC from marijuana that gives people the "high" feeling.

How will hemp oil benefit you? Let me explain...

Our body contains endocannabinoid system which helps the body maintain homeostasis. This system contains endocannabinoids - fat based neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the cell. Cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids are present in pain circuits from nerve endings up to the brain. 

CBD is a cannabinoid - this is why CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system and in turn, promote homeostasis and maintain good health. This is also how it inhibits pain and inflammation and helps the body to recover faster. 

Hemp oil or salve is now being used as an effective pain management. It is also showing great results for seizures, ptsd, depression, anxiety and recovery from trauma/diseases like cancer. It is also used after chemotherapy for nausea and pain management. Arthritis sufferers, those with chronic inflammation issues, pains from multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia where joint stiffness and muscle tension is high - can all benefit from this oil. Because pain often causes stress and insomnia, it is also used by those who want to cure their anxiety and sleep better. Added bonus? Get beautiful skin and hair while using hemp oil!

How can you take hemp oil? You can simply buy it from any health store or online and start taking it internally right away. You can drizzle some over soups, lentils, rice, etc. For topical benefits, simply massage some on pain areas. 

NOTE: When buying, make SURE it says CBD and how much mg it contains. Some online retailers like amazon are not allowed to sell "CBD oil" so when buying, look for high quality brand and e-mail them to ask about this composition.
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4. Magnesium Oil (Magnesium Chloride Solution) - If you are having pain, insomnia, inflammation and...constipation, then it could be you need magnesium. This is the great part about magnesium oil - it cures everything at once. Thanks to industrial agriculture, our soils are now depleted in magnesium - so that means, most of us are deficient in magnesium - a vital mineral.

Magnesium oil is basically water and magnesium flakes but because of its texture, it is called "oil." Applying magnesium oil topically helps the magnesium get absorbed fast into the body and go where it needs to go first. 

Good to know - It works better than the oral supplements because your body absorbs the oil better than the magnesium tablets which are only absorbed between mere 4% - 10%. In the beginning, you may feel it is itching your skin but that is a sign that your body is deficient in magnesium. With regular use, this itching will disappear as your body gets the magnesium supply it needed. 

What does magnesium oil cure? It cures arthritis pain, joint/knee/back pain, migraines/headaches, muscle soreness, fibromyalgia pain, restless legs, anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms/soreness, low bp, pain from carpal tunnel, menstrual pain/cramps, constipation/gut issues, hair loss and skin inflammation.
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                                      Physical Pain - Herbs/Spices to Take
​In this section, we now talk about how you can add some herbs to your regimen to completely let go of your pain. 

1. Willow Bark - This has been used since the Hippocrates times for pain and fever management. In fact, it was advised that people chew on the bark to feel better. ​Willow bark is native to North America, northern Asia, and Africa. 
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Did you know aspirin is made from this bark? In 1828, the German chemist chemist Felix Hoffmann took the active ingredient called salicin from the bark. In 1899, Bayer began manufacturing and selling this new pill as acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin. And this is how aspirin was born! 

Willow bark is still used to relieve pain from arthritis, gout, spondilitis, muscle pains, headaches, menstrual cramps, sciatic nerve pain, back/neck/hip pain and spasms. It can be found in tea, extract, capsule or formulation form. Look for one that has at least 15% salicin present so it is effective for your pain. Also called white willow.
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2. Devil's Claw - Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers! Listen-up! This is REALLY for you. Devil's claw is a native herbal medicine from Africa and have been used since centuries for pain management - mainly arthritis. But it heals more than that - sciatic nerve pain, fibromyalgia pain, pinched nerves, multiple sclerosis pain, accident pain, osteoarthritis, gout, or basically any pain from inflammation. 

NOTE: Work with a holistic doctor before trying devil's claw as it may have some mild side effects like diarrhea and drug interactions with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Available in capsule form.
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3. Boswellia (Indian Frankincense) - Boswellia comes from Boswellia serrata tree and it is native to India & parts of Pakistan. It has been used in Ayurveda for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint issues, asthma, colitis, diabetes, migraines and Crohn's disease. 

It's anti-inflammatory properties are contributed to its 4 types of acids. These acids inhibit inflammatory enzymes and that is why it is so useful for arthritis. It is also being studied for cancer. So, if you have any kind of pain - whether from migraines or fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis, or even stiffness, do give boswellia a try. It is available in capsule, tablets, softgel,  powder form or even as a cream for topical application.
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4. Ginger - Garlic Paste - You bet!! If you want to use food as medicine, then you better run to kitchen and make my recipe of ginger-garlic paste w/healing spices. Both ginger and garlic are powerful anti-cancer herbs/spices and why is that? It is because they are great at beating the inflammation to none! 

​For more on WHY it is so important to incorporate this in your daily regimen, how to make and use this miraculous paste, visit my article at the end by clicking ginger-garlic paste. 
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5. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)  - This is a very famous Ayurvedic herb used in treating many conditions like arthritis, sleep, anxiety, rheumatism, immunity and as a stress reliever. It is also used as a thyroid balancing herb. It is revered due to its excellent adaptogenic properties, contributed to its withanolides content. Due to being a powerful anti-inflammatory herb, it is now being used to treat all kinds of conditions from cancer to blood pressure to  joint aches and pain to sleep!

Ashwagandha comes in capsule form or powder and you can take it for  nerve/back/hip/joint/knee/pms/whole body pain, sciatica, etc along with boswellia. A diet rich in turmeric, ginger-garlic, coconut oil along with proper rest is best to accommodate with this herb. 
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6. Turmeric w/Black Pepper - By now we all know how great turmeric is - it lowers inflammation and is great for aches and pain. But how do you take it everyday and how do you enhance its absorption in the body for optimal benefit?

This is another add-on to your new self-care regimen for busting your pain. So, take the time to read the article after you have finished this one (and the ginger-garlic paste one too!).  Turmeric Milk Article
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                                  Physical Pain - Nutritional Support to Take
​In this section, we now talk about what nutritional supplements you are missing & should add immediately to your regimen to be 100% pain-free.
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1. Moringa - Moringa oleifera is also called drumstick tree or horseradish tree is a native to South Asia and is also cultivated in Central & South America as well as in the Caribbean & Africa. Moringa is a rich source of phytonutrients and contains essential amino acids. It is also very rich source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium - all of which aid in lowering pain in the body.

Moringa powder is used for diabetes, pain relief from any type of arthritis, anemia/low energy, immunity, breastfeeding (to increase breast milk supply), joint/back/hip stiffness, hair fall, skin issues like redness/acne/pale or too red, menopausal/hormonal symptoms, digestive issues as well as for weight loss. So, if you have arthritis or any pain from inflammatory condition, take moringa and make sure it is organic. I recommend organic powder  as it can be added to juice and is free from plastic/chemicals used to make capsules or pills.

Available in tea, powder, pill or even herbal formulations along with other herbs added. I would HIGHLY advice you to take powder form - no more pills, no more plastic going in your body! You can find good sized bulk packets of organic moringa powder these days in all health stores, so get that and simply mix in your smoothie or turmeric milk or tea and even in lentils, veggies and take it like that.
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2. MSM (Methysulfonylmethane) - MSM is naturally found in humans, animals & plants. It contains sulfur which is essential for connective tissue as well as to effectively absorb the nutrients. Sulfur is also a precursor to collagen so with all these benefits, it  helps both the health of joints as well as skin/hair.

It also helps clean the body as it softens the cell membranes, thus allowing for toxic waste to leak out and nutrients to get in. This is one of the reasons why it is an excellent cancer prevention supplement.

MSM helps with shoulder/knee/arthritis/joint/back pain, increases energy, helps beautify skin/hair/nails, helps skin inflammation, muscle/joint stiffness, excellent detox aid, cancer prevention & cure regimen, and any inflammation issue like fibromyalgia pain, psoriasis, eczema, etc.

Available in powder, capsules, gel, cream & mixed formulas. I suggest you buy pure powder and take with organic orange juice as vit C helps in higher absorption of msm in the body. Leave the capsules out (it is extra plastic going in your body after all). Start with low dose and work your way up. You can also match it with some msm gel/cream to apple topically.
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All in all, just like sulfur rich foods (garlic, onions, leeks, cabbage,etc), msm is a miracle! 
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3. Tart Cherry Juice - Tart cherry is a native to Europe & Southwest Asia. Tart cherries work by delivering anthocyanins - the deep colors of some fruits & vegetables. Because they contain large amount of anthocyanins (flavonoids), tart cherries are anti-inflammatory and naturally reduce oxidative stress on the body. So, what can you heal with tart cherry juice?

Tart cherry juice is used for cancer prevention, arthritis, joint stiffness/pain, muscle soreness,
sleep - to cure insomnia, gout (high uric acid), migraines, skin inflammation, anxiety, pain from multiple sclerosis, pain from Lupus and such conditions.

Available as juice or capsule or softgel. Buy an organic juice and drink it everyday and you will see a difference in your pain/muscle soreness or uric acid levels or sleep for sure - whatever it is, this juice is God send! Truly! Mix some with organic fresh orange juice and along with some msm and you have a powerful drink for your pain & inflammation.
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4. Bromelain ​- It is one of the natural proteolytic enzyme - meaning it digests protein. It is extracted from the stems of pineapple plant. Just like pineapple juice that has zillion benefits, so does this enzyme called bromelain.

​It helps in autoimmune issues like swelling/pains, muscle soreness, digestive issues, inflammatory conditions like bronchitis or asthma, allergies/sinus/ear congestion, joint/body pain, sciatica, swelling, pre- & post- surgery healing, and arthritis pains. Available in capsules.
The best part about it? So natural and safe that you can add it to your regimen along with other remedies/herbs.
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5. Black Seeds/Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa/Kalongi) - Oh! the "blessed oil!" as it is called and for really good reason. Makes sense when it can cure just about everything except death - as Prophet Muhammad said about this oil. It can cure cancer and any inflammation in the body!

Black seeds have a long history - they have been used since ancient times in Egypt and Turkey, going back as much as 2nd millennium BCE. It is used a lot in Indian, Middle Eastern, Armenian, Turkish, and more cuisines. 

Why does black seed oil work so well? The reason it is so powerful is because of its thymoquinone content and add to it, its high nutrient and amino acid profile, it works fast to lower inflammation and cure any disease. It is great for joint/arthritis pain, cancer pains, post-cancer treatment care, cancer, skin & hair, respiratory conditions like sinus/mucus/asthma/bronchitis, for energy & better sleep, healthy digestion, for detox, muscle flexibility, and overall well-being!

How to take? Start with both oil & seeds. Take oil along with some juice and start right away. Oil can also be used to massage on painful joints.
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​As for seeds, start cooking with them in vegetables, lentils/beans/soup recipes as well as bread recipes. Many of my new recipes coming out on YouTube use the back seeds so you will benefit greatly by signing-up. Take advantage - it is FREE and black seeds are super powerful to cook with and add to your regimen. Sign-up at the bottom YouTube link and start the recipes right away! like my OKRA W/BLACK SEEDS recipe.
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                        Healing Pain - Emotional/Spiritual Aspects to Consider
In this we consider what causes physical pain - what is the emotional basis and spiritual explanation for this pain you are having?

Did you know that stress hormones can turn on & off genes to create disease? When we go through emotional trauma like sexual abuse, childhood abuse, loss of a loved one, bitter relationships, emotional neglect, unhealthy marriage/divorce, verbal abuse, etc., then our body is listening and absorbing all this through the emotions. 

As one adapts to flight or fight response to deal with such traumas in life, the body can't deal with it and goes into chronic inflammation. What is going to happen next? Chronic pain issues. So, take a paper and sit in silence alone. Write down what events in your life keep popping up in your mind again and again. Were you a victim of sexual abuse? Did you have highly dysfunctional parents? Did you experience verbal & emotional abuse? Were you in bitter divorce? 

When did your pain start? What area did it start? How many times you think about these incidents daily? Write all this down and you will see the link - and then burn the paper or throw away in recycling bin. You will be shocked at how light and free you feel - and this is going to be the real cure for your pain. 
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END NOTE: At the end, no supplement or herb will work fully unless you design you diet that is highly colorful and alkaline in nature - a plant based diet. Leaving out inflammatory foods like dairy, meat/animal products, refined carbs & oils, unhealthy fats like cheese and pizza, etc..and sugar as well as gluten - THIS is what's going to help you altogether and bring permanent healing so you can finally live a pain-free life! 

Another thing that I emphasize in my articles is using healthy fats like organic coconut oil and nuts/seeds in your daily diet. Adding organic apple cider vinegar along with unsulphured molasses will help you immensely. 

Last but not least, looking deeply into your emotions, your trigger points, the toxic people and your past painful moments will help you bring in 'whole-istic' healing and feelings of new energy and well being into your life. Understand the emotional aspects of your pain and then, go about healing it with the help of Nature. 

I hope this article helps you & you feel better soon! Until next article..

--Somyata.