Painkillers and Natural Anti-inflammatories: What are they? Complete list
Nature is an inexhaustible source of natural pain- relieving and anti-inflammatory active ingredients that we can exploit to our advantage to relieve small pains that can accidentally occur in the event of falls, traumas, muscle tears. We can also use them successfully for joints that often require long therapies based on synthetic anti-inflammatories with all the consequent side effects.
The relief that natural remedies can bring to our body is certainly not as immediate as that which can be obtained using synthetic drugs, but many scientific studies have shown that these plants can be even 100% effective in healing pain .
If the speed of action is not the strong point of natural anti -inflammatories , one point in their advantage is certainly that they have fewer side effects, especially at the gastric level.
In fact, as many surely know, one of the best-known side effects of prolonged use of oral painkillers is heartburn . For this reason, pain-relieving therapies involve the assumption, in almost all cases, of gastric protectors such as proton pump inhibitors or histamine H2 receptor antagonist drugs (anti-H2).
Having said that, in the following article we will review all the natural pain-relieving and anti- inflammatory remedies that we can use to regain the well-being of our bones or joints and beyond.
The plants friends of all forms of pain
Devil’s claw
It is a plant that grows in savannah and arid areas whose scientific name is Harpagophytum procumbens . Its popular name refers to its ovoid-shaped fruits which are equipped with a hook, precisely a claw, capable of causing injury to animals or humans if bumped. The drug of this plant, that is the part that is used for medicinal purposes, are the secondary roots which contain iridoid glucosides, the harpagosides, substances with anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory activity.
The active ingredients of this plant are used to formulate capsules or creams to be used for the treatment of various ailments such as cervical, lumbar, hip (coxatrosis) and knee osteoarthritis. The devil’s claw is considered one of the most powerful natural painkillers that can also be used to treat pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that affects about 400,000 Italians. Furthermore, the root of this plant is also used to promote the excretion of uric acid and therefore play a beneficial role in the treatment of gout.
Arnica montana
The popular name of Arnica montana is “panacea for trauma” and we can easily guess why. This plant is very useful in case of trauma, hematoma and ecchymosis. Arnica is the most used natural remedy in case of bruises and those who have a small child who is grappling with the first “exploration” of the world know well that in case of bumps and bruises the use of this remedy can be really effective to soothe the affected area and avoid bruising.
Its active ingredient, arnicin, is useful for preventing the formation of edema or the swelling or swelling that occurs in the event of bruises, muscle tears, low back pain. Arnica is often used in ointment or mother tincture to be applied on the affected area being careful to apply it only on intact skin and free of cuts and abrasions.
Angelica
Angelica is a perennial or biennial herbaceous plant which can even reach two meters in height. The drug consists of the whole plant (roots, fruits and aerial parts) which is used for its spasmolytic, muscle relaxant and sedative properties. This plant, in fact, has the ability to reduce spasms of the abdominal smooth muscle and relieve visceral muscle contractures.
The plant is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea and abdominal pain of various kinds. A limitation in the use of this plant is linked to the presence of furocoumarins which have photosensitizing properties, in fact, if during the intake of this plant you are exposed to sunlight or to tanning lamps, the skin can become stained and dermatitis may occur. cutaneous.
boswellia serrata
This plant grows in hilly regions of India and China. All plants belonging to this genus produce a resinous substance from which incense is obtained. This resin is rich in boswellic acids to which anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic and pain-relieving properties are attributed and therefore used in case of arthritic and arthritic pain. Boswellia is used, in the form of ointment or ointment, in the treatment of periarticular bursitis, tendonitis and rheumatism.
Hollow columbine
The scientific name of this plant is Corydalis cava which would be a very effective remedy against joint pain. This plant, probably unknown to some, has a millennial use as it represents one of the cornerstones of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of acute and chronic pain.
However, its underground part (the bulb) contains toxic substances capable of causing death by cardiac arrest due to the presence of toxic alkaloids as well as containing considerable quantities of tubocurarine, berberine reductase and coridaline synthase. On the contrary, its tuber contains active ingredients with a sedative, antispasmodic and analgesic action on the somatic nervous system.
feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium , this is its scientific name, is one of the most popular herbal remedies for the treatment of headaches and migraines . The mechanism of action of its main ingredient, parthenolide, is to interfere with the serotonergic system, preventing the onset of a migraine attack, in the same way as synthetic drugs used for the same purpose.
This plant has also proved effective in treating dysmenorrhea, characterized by painful spasms in the lower abdomen when menstruation arrives. The use of feverfew is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, small children and who is being treated with anticoagulant drugs.
Willow
Salix alba is one of the best-known plants for its analgesic effects as salicylic acid is extracted from its bark, an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and pain-relieving properties from which the common aspirin is obtained by synthesis. ®.
Painkillers at the table: what to eat?
Curcuma
Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) is a spice native to Southeast Asia and features heavily in Indian cuisine and folk medicine. The active ingredients of this plant, curcuminoids , are powerful natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that we can use to improve our well-being. Turmeric can be used to flavor our dishes such as chicken, but it can also be added to drinks such as milk or yogurt to create tasty and healthy preparations.
Garlic
Raise your hand if you don’t have garlic at home. This plant, whose properties date back thousands of years, was used to strengthen the immune system and to “drive away” bacteria and parasites. When you think of garlic, its antihypertensive properties immediately come to mind, but not everyone knows that this bulb, if peeled, crushed and applied to inflamed teeth and gums, is capable of soothing pain.
Cloves
Cloves, Syzygium aromaticum , thanks to the presence of eugenol, have local antiseptic and analgesic properties such as to be used in the past as local anesthetics by dentists during dental extirpations and against toothaches . Putting clove essence on a tooth that hurts because it is affected by caries can be a very valid alternative to synthetic painkillers;
Chili pepper
This other spice owes its rubefacient and anti- inflammatory properties to its active ingredient: capsaicin. It has antioxidant properties and is an excellent remedy in case of pain as it is capable of blocking the secretion of substance P, a protein involved in the transmission of pain. Chili pepper is very versatile in the kitchen and we can use it to make many preparations based on fish, meat, vegetables and legumes spicy and tasty.
Ginger
Ginger is a plant useful for relieving heartburn and pregnancy nausea but not everyone knows that the rhizome contains molecules with a powerful anti-inflammatory action. In fact, the pulverized rhizome of this plant is used to make effective food supplements to combat muscle pain, rheumatic pain and burns. In the kitchen, ginger is very versatile because it can be used to flavor our salads, you can add a small piece to your herbal teas or add it to the dough of desserts to flavor them.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that is extracted from the pineapple stem and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oedema properties, especially in case of trauma to the soft tissues. The advantage of bromelain over synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs lies in its mechanism of action; in fact, while common NSAIDs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins (pro-inflammatory molecules), bromelain acts by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory molecules that block the inflammatory process.
This is a very important advantage because the main side effect of NSAIDs is eliminated: gastric hyperacidity. To benefit from the properties of this substance it is recommended to take 80 mg of bromelain three times a day as a food supplement.
She defines herself as curious by nature. In 2006 she graduated with honors in Biotechnology at the Sapienza University of Rome. Between 2005 and 2009, she carried out a university internship and research activity in the field of tumor immunotherapy. She is a co-author of three scientific publications. Since 2007 you have associated your passion for science with that for the web, starting the management of the FitnessEquilibrium.com project.