Toss Your Aspirin- 5 All Natural Pain Relievers

There are so many reasons to avoid taking aspirin or ibuprofen. They’ve been linked to anemia, DNA damage, hypertension and even heart disease but most people don’t think twice about popping one, or two, or three, of these pills regularly or even daily.

If you’re taking pain medication on a regular basis you might want to do a little digging to find out what is the real culprit causing the pain. Diet plays an important role in things such as headaches and body aches. If you need a little something every once in a while here are some great alternatives to put in your medicine cabinet.

Cramp Bark. This plant is extremely beneficial in relieving cramps, including muscle spasms and menstrual cramps and should replace. Taking 2 tablets at a time on an empty stomach will help get rid of even the worst menstrual cramps. It is also available in a tincture for even faster relief.

White Willow Bark. This is probably one of my favorites. It is the original form of aspirin it contains salicin which converts to salicylic acid in the stomach which happens to be the main component in aspirin – except in a synthetic form which can irritate the stomach. You can use this for the same things you would use aspirin: pain relief, inflammation and fever and it can be found in capsules or in a tincture form, just follow the instructions on the bottle to find the right dose.

Cats Claw. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory agent it can help block the production of prostaglandin, a hormone that contributes to pain and inflammation. Be careful not to overdo this one since too much can cause loose bowels.

Capsaicin. Found in chili peppers it can be used topically to relieve nerve pain, joint pain and muscle aches. It can be found in either gel or cream forms. It may give you an initial warm feeling, much like icy hot, that goes fades and is nothing to worry about.

Boswellia. It contains anti-inflammatory properties, which help improve blood flow to the joints and help ease pain. It can be found as either a cream to apply topically or a supplement.