When Chronic Pain is pestering you, flavor up your foods with these natural pain relieving spices.
One thing is certain: Pain is no fun. Many conditions require a doctor’s care over a long period of time, and others come on more suddenly and acutely. Regardless of the pain condition, there are ways to ease the discomfort without relying exclusively on expensive and potentially harmful medications. When preparing your next meal or perusing your favorite menu, try working your way through this list of healing spices and herbs to see if there are any that might help relieve your burden.
- Cinnamon: Natural Anti-inflammatory, bacteria fighter, and blood-pressure regulator. Also aids in managing blood sugar and cholesterol. Versatile and potent spice common in an array of relief.
- Ginger: Anti-inflammatory, increases blood flow.
- Tumeric: Anti-inflammatory, especially reducing swelling.
- Bay Leaf: Digestive agent treating illness and colic. Can also be used as a compress to alleviate pain or to stimulate the lungs during colds and flus.
- Basil: Anti-inflammatory and effective pain treatment when applied to wounds. Also effective at lowering fever when consumed in larger amounts.
- Thyme: Aids in digestive tract issues like stomach cramps, diarrhea, and indigestion. Powerful aid in healing bronchial infections. Also used as an anti-parasite and anti-fungal medicine for conditions like crabs or scabies.
- Sage: Used as a digestion agent and also used topically for treating skin conditions like acne.
- Rosemary: Anti-inflammatory, mild diuretic, pain reliever. Also used to stimulate hair growth.
- Paprika: Promotes healthy circulation and helps alleviate menstrual cramps.
- Cayenne: Pain reliever with characteristics of an analgesic. Can be used internally or externally. Also promotes healthy circulation.
- Parsley: External anti-itch medicine. Commonly used as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-spasmodic. Used for a variety of ailments.
- Cilantro/Coriander: Natural Anti-inflammatory, also helps to remove toxins from the body.
- Cardamom: Indigestion, colic, and gas treatment. Best when brewed into a tea.
- Nutmeg: Used externally for eczema and arthritis pain. Internal use helps with upset stomach and diarrhea, as well as aiding in the long term treatment of chronic nervous disorders and heart problems.
- Clove: Pain reliever when used directly on toothaches, insect bites, or to treat areas of joint pain. Anti-microbial and anti-fungal, so it treats skin conditions like athletes foot. Settles hiccups and upset stomach.
- Boswellia/Frankincense: Topical pain relief and anti-inflammatory.
- Allspice: Pain relief in compress, digestive tract settling, diarrhea and gas treatment.
- Black Pepper: Aids in healthy circulation and joint health. Also sometimes used as a preventative medicine.
- Saffron: Antioxidant, also used for pain relief.
- Garlic: Anti-inflammatory and stomach settling agent in teas (but common cause of heart burn).
- Oregano: Antioxidant. Also helps relieve headaches, throat pain, and colds. Also has antiseptic properties for bug bites.
NEW UPDATED LIST
- Cumin: Supports digestion, may help control blood sugar levels, and has antioxidant properties.
- Fennel: Aids digestion, may reduce bloating and gas, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Mustard Seed: Rich in antioxidants, may help alleviate muscle pain, and has antimicrobial properties.
- Coriander Seed: Supports digestion, may lower blood sugar levels, and has antioxidant properties.
- Anise: Helps alleviate digestive issues, may improve sleep quality, and has antimicrobial properties.
- Caraway: Aids digestion, may reduce bloating and gas, and has antioxidant properties.
- Juniper Berry: Supports digestive health, may reduce inflammation, and has diuretic properties.
- Celery Seed: May help lower blood pressure, supports digestive health, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Podcast: Can spices improve your health?
Episode Description:
Kanchan Koya grew up in a house filled with wonderful fragrances from the spices simmering on her grandmother’s stove. In India, it was a common belief that spices were more than just pleasant tastes. Ancient wisdom said they had medicinal properties, and it was common for household medicine cabinets to store dried spices, not pills.
Kanchan grew up to become a molecular biologist, studying in the US at Harvard Medical School. When her lab began to investigate turmeric’s healing properties, the ancient wisdom from her childhood met the scientific inquiry of her adult life – beginning a lifelong obsession with the health benefits of spice.
In today’s episode, Kanchan and regular guest Tim Spector help us understand whether there is any scientific evidence to support the health benefits of spices, the easiest way to add spice to our diet, and which ones to choose.
Kanchan Koya: is the founder of SpiceSpiceBaby and The Radical Vitality Podcast with a Ph.D. in Biomedicine from Harvard University and training from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.
Tim Spector: is a co-founder at ZOE and one of the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.
Regardless of their effectiveness, all of these spices are harmless to most patients, other than common allergic reactions. There is no guarantee that these spices will heal any condition or will work better than prescribed or over the counter medications, but evidence has proven them all to be effective in battling pain. We always recommend you speak with a doctor about any condition that is painful or gets worse over time. This could be a sign of a more serious health condition.