Natural Pain Relief

Hippocrates said it, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. The Bible says it, “The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12). The Chinese Proverb states, “He who takes medicine and neglects to diet wastes the skills of his doctors”.

So, what exactly does nature have in store when it comes to natural pain relief?Let’s take a look.

Leafy greens

We’ll start with the obvious because leafy greens top every list of health options, right? They’re loaded with vitamins B, A, C, and K, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron. It’s the calcium and magnesium, in particular, that are believed to be beneficial for relieving cramps (but the exact reason behind it is not fully understood).

Although, it’s important to remember that the darker the greens, the more nutrient-dense the greens will be. One of my favorite ways to enjoy leafy greens is by adding them to a cup of soap. I add them at the end once the hot soup is poured into the bowl. The temperature of the hot broth will naturally soften the leaves, but not at the same high temperature as if they were cooked on the stove which would cause them to lose some nutrients.

Try increasing your greens over the next month – salads, soups, smoothies, side dishes, etc. – to see if you feel a difference.

Pineapple

This one often catches people by surprise, but pineapple provides a lot of healing properties. Yes, it’s a fruit that’s higher in sugar, so you want to be mindful from that perspective. However, pineapple contains bromelin which is an enzyme that helps to relax muscles and alleviate muscle cramps.

So, if you’re like me and tend to get cravings for something sweet leading up to your period, you can add pineapple into the mix. I know It’s not exactly the sweet treat we may be craving, but it offers sweetness and avoids the processed sugar and inflammatory components of the treats we may be more likely to reach for.

Ginger

This may be my all-time favorite healing food. Ginger is amazing. It reduces inflammation, alleviate nausea, and can support digestion. All of these properties can be helpful during your period. I find it helpful to simply start adding a piece of recipes like stir frys, soups, and smoothies. Consuming it on a regular basis will support your body is having more consistent pain relief.

Bananas

Many of us associate bananas and their potassium content to be helpful in relieving muscle cramps, but did you know that it also applies to menstrual cramps?

What I like most about this food is that it’s truly so versatile. You can freeze bananas to make a yummy, banana, dairy-free ice cream. They can also be added to smoothies (mix some spinach in that smoothie and you have two pain-relieving ingredients). They can even be dehydrated into chips, again just keep in mind the fruits are going to be higher in sugar.

What's your favorite form of natural pain relief? Tell us in the comments below!