20 Pain Cures You Can Find in Your Kitchen
Make muscle pain a memory with ginger
When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger
it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent
of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called
gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The
study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2
teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.
Cure a toothache with cloves
Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can
ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA
researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a
powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground
cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this
simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of
artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.
Heal heartburn with cider vinegar
Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before
every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn
in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids
powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so
your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus,
triggering heartburn pain,†explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a
gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in
Huntsville, AL.
Erase earaches with garlic
Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every
year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your
aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear
infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of
New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients
(germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of
different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently
simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive
oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests
Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s
Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so
the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.
Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries
Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with
arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of
cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered
by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing’s Michigan State
University. Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that
give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times
stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the
powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent,
as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,†explains Muraleedharan Nair
Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University. His advice:
Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your
pain disappears.
Fight tummy troubles with fish
Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your
belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly
to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish,
called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation,
cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as
corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful,
natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve
the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,†explains biological
chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research
Foundation in Marblehead, MA. For best results, look for oily fish like
salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.
Prevent PMS with yogurt
Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its
uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous
systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that
occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can
slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York’s Columbia
University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the
nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,â€
explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale
University.
Tame chronic pain with turmeric
Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times
more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it
can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with
arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s
because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down
cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing
hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of
the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4
teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.
End endometrial pain with oats
The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal.
Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow
outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn
menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger
severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all
month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can
help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months
That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that
triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear,
explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University.
Soothe foot pain with salt
Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails
each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can
cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at
California’s Stanford University. The salt in the mix naturally nixes
inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs
that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of
water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and
then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your
infection subsides.
Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple
Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72
hours, say researchers at California’s Stanford University. That's because
pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that
help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small
intestine, say USDA researchers.
Relax painful muscles with peppermint
Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for
months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D.,
author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice:
Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of
peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint
oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle
cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and
cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.
Give your back some TLC with grapes
Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent
studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes
daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to
damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first
bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing
discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing
nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing
damaged back tissue, says Stengler.
Wash away pain injuries with water
Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing,
experts at New York’s Manhattan College, say you could kick-start your
recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a
pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key
building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your
joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,†adds Susan M.
Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these
tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without
causing pain.†One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find
out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s
juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings
could be enough to meet your daily goal.
Heal sinus problems with horseradish
Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health
problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it
also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over.
Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this
eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities,
helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more
quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One
teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat
topping) until symptoms clear.
Beat bladder infections with blueberries
Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or
in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60
percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's
because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap
around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold
and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers
University.
Heal mouth sores with honey
Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily
until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if
you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized
Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates. Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap
inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged
tissues, say the study authors.
Fight breast pain with flax
In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet
eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists
credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the
estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have
to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just
sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies
and veggie dips.
Cure migraines with coffee
Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser.
Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National
Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of
coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more
Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers
more quickly and more effectively.
Tame leg cramps with tomato juice
At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit?
Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by
diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But
sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed
your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as
little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.
http://www.ivillage.com/natural-pain-remedies-your-kitchen/4-b-334141?nlcid=ar#334145
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