7 Plant-Based Whole Foods For Pain Relief

We all experience pain and discomfort in our lives. For some it may be an infrequent

occurrence, and to others pain is a challenging part of daily life. Whatever the duration, the experience of living with pain can be both mentally and physically draining.

For those who are seeking comfort through natural means, there are various options which can prove useful without the side effects of many drugs. Whether you suffer from chronic pain or simply want this knowledge in your arsenal, keep these options in mind.

1. Cinnamon

You can thank cinnamon for helping to reduce pain, especially in terms of joint discomfort and arthritis. The presence of cinnamaldehyde is a compound which provides anti-inflammatory assistance. In addition, you can count on cinnamon to keep cramps at bay, especially considering the scientific findings confirming its effectiveness.

2. Cherries

As delicious as these are, cherries also play a valuable role in pain reduction. Specifically, tart cherries are your best bet in terms of relieving pain– particularly for muscles, joints, and arthritis among others. Thanks to those anthocyanins and polyphenols, pain can be limited by the reduction of inflammation and has depicted comparable effectiveness to aspirin.

3. Beets

When it comes to being a powerhouse of pigment and health, beets can’t be beat. Few would have guessed that they’re also great for helping manage pain as well. The deep color and pain-killing qualities of beets come from betalains, which are antioxidants useful in calming areas of agitation. These allow for the alleviation of pain, and have been scientifically shown to do so for arthritic subjects especially.

4. Papaya

This forgotten fruit is an honorable underdog. Papaya has papain, an enzyme that reduces inflammation and has been used historically to treat discomfort. This assists with easing pain by breaking down the proteins which cause it. In fact, it is sometimes injected into sites of pain as a method of relief.

5. Cayenne

For those of you who like to turn up the spice, cayenne can also ease pain in the process. You can thank the capsaicin inside for its ability to reduce pain signals to the brain. Even though this ingredient is often used topically for pain, you can also work it into your diet. In fact, cayenne has been hailed as an analgesic which can also be harnessed to help with chronic pain.

6. Acai

Lastly, who knew that one of the biggest food crazes on the block had pain relief potential? In fact, acai contains antioxidants and polyphenols which allow it to act similarly to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that are often taken for pain. Recent scientific findings have unearthed acai’s effectiveness in reducing pain as well.

7. Blue Lotus

This is one that you may not be familiar with. Blue lotus is a flowering plant often used to handle pain when it comes to ear problems, headache, and muscle problems. This is because of Apomorphine, which helps to ease pain by stimulating dopamine receptors. Research on the full analgesic abilities of blue lotus is still new in development, so be cautious with this one.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/plant-based-whole-foods-pain-relief/?utm_source=Green+Monster+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=dd9b2e3986-NEWSLETTER_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bbf62ddf34-dd9b2e3986-106919241