Pain and inflammation are signs that the body is attempting to heal itself. However, when the pain lasts for several days, it may indicate an underlying condition or a heightened risk of developing inflammatory disorders.

Fortunately, there are natural remedies that you can use to relieve pain and minimize the inflammation. When you have home remedies on hand, you are well-equipped to deal with painful spasms, stiff joints and abdominal discomfort, among other things.

Use the following foods, herbs and spices the next time you need a quick and effective painkiller.

Cherry

Like most antioxidant-rich fruits, cherries contain high levels of anthocyanins, a group of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that support tissue repair. The ability of anthocyanins to reduce pain naturally are especially effective against joint pain caused by arthritis. Cherries can also help relieve sore muscles after strenuous exercise.

Ginger

If you have chronic inflammation and joint pain, it’s best to make ginger a part of your diet. This widely used spice has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease stiff joints and sore muscles. When used to make herbal tea, ginger helps relieve migraines and clear nasal congestion.

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice is commonly used to relieve abdominal discomfort caused by stomach ulcers. But you can also consume cranberries to prevent the spread of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which causes painful ulcers in the first place.

However, you can’t just rely on any store-bought cranberry juice — foods and beverages that are loaded with sugar promote inflammation, even if they’re supposed to be anti-inflammatory. So stick to 100 percent natural cranberry juice if you want to fight ulcers with it.

Fatty fish

Fatty fish like salmon, herring and sardines are excellent sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory and natural painkilling activities. If you have chronic lower back pain and stiff joints, eat more fatty fish. Salmon, in particular, also contains high levels of vitamin D and vitamin B12, both of which help with chronic pain.

Turmeric

This popular medicinal spice is known for its anti-inflammatory effects and is often used to address all sorts of ailments, such as joint pain, toothache and gastrointestinal inflammation. Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, is responsible for the spice’s potent medicinal abilities.

Plain yogurt

If you’re prone to digestive problems and abdominal discomfort, eat more foods that contain probiotics. These gut-friendly, live bacterial cultures promote healthy digestion and help maintain a good gut environment. Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics, but only consume the plain or unsweetened variants to avoid added sugars or sweeteners.

Coffee

Migraines can greatly interfere with your daily activities. The next time you feel a throbbing pain on the temples, grab a cup of coffee. Caffeine in coffee constricts dilated blood vessels caused by headaches and provides instantaneous relief. Caffeine also reduces pain by temporarily blocking adenosine receptors in the brain that influence pain signaling.

Peppermint

As a medicinal herb, peppermint is commonly used to relieve congested sinuses and eliminate odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. But the menthol in peppermint can also prevent painful muscle spasms and treat irritable bowel syndrome, thanks to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties.

Edamame

Edamame beans contain plant compounds known as isoflavones that have anti-inflammatory effects against joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. To ease chronic back pain and tense back muscles, eat edamame beans.

Red chili pepper

Red chili peppers contain capsaicin, an active compound that can shut down pain-sensing nerves. Sprinkle red chili slices over dishes to relieve swollen muscles, or create homemade chili paste and slather it over stiff joints to reduce pain.

If you’re constantly battling with pain, try adding the anti-inflammatory herbs and spices listed above to a well-balanced diet. You can also complement proper nutrition with healthy lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, yoga and mindfulness exercises to help your body process pain much better.

Sources:

Prevention.com

MayoClinic.org

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

BestHealthMag.ca