When people can’t get the pain medication they need through their normal distribution channels, there are other alternatives which may help remedy their pain.

Whether you’re curious about some of the natural remedies for pain or you would like to know some alternatives for ‘just in case’ for SHTF, here are a 15 natural remedies…

Weight loss

It all starts with your body. A healthy weight, and losing weight if necessary is a good start to eliminate many pain associated ailments. It may not be easy, but it works.

Exercise

Again – a healthy body. Exercise programs should include both aerobic exercise like walking, swimming, or biking, as well as strengthening exercises.

Turmeric

Found in curry powder and in yellow mustard, may be the best herbal remedy. A component, curcumin, eases inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Some people take it in capsules, while others incorporate it into their food. The following doses have been studied in scientific research: 500 mg of turmeric twice to four times daily for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (WebMD).

Capsaicin

Chile peppers. An active component of chile pepper, capsaicin temporarily desensitizes pain-prone skin nerve receptors called C-fibers. It also is available as a dietary supplement or capsaicin cream-ointment used on the skin (topical use) to help relieve pain.

Fish oil

Digested fish oil breaks down into hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation. Available from eating fatty fish, or from over-the-counter capsules.

Vitamin D

D deficiency is linked to a host of chronic illnesses, including chronic pain. So many Americans have low vitamin D levels because we spend most of our time indoors. Getting five or 10 minutes of sun exposure two or three times a week in the summer is a great way to get vitamin D for free, otherwise tablets or capsules.

Ice or Heat

Ice packs can help reduce swelling and numb muscle and joint pain, but some folks prefer moist heat to ease aches and pains.

Vitamin B12

A B12 supplement boost helps to ease pain by encouraging your body to thicken its protective coating around your nerves, so they don’t “short circuit” and cause pain. Dosage recommendations include 2mg daily.

Ginger

Powdered Ginger and the oils contained in ginger reduce inflammation at the site of the joint. You can also take a ginger tablet.

Willow bark

Used for thousands of years in many different cultures to reduce fever and inflammation, willow bark is a powerful painkilling herb that is still used today to treat back pain, arthritis, headaches, and inflammatory conditions. The active ingredient in willow bark, salicin, is actually the compound that was first used in the 1800s to develop aspirin.

Skullcap

An herb native to North America, skullcap has been used for more than 200 years to treat anxiety, nervous tension, convulsions, and pain.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a powerful treatment for both muscle and nerve pain. It has been shown to balance levels of a brain chemical known as NMDA that is responsible for transmitting pain throughout the nervous system. Magnesium deficiency is also a common cause and amplifier of pain, so simply supplementing with it can help significantly improve pain symptoms. The foods that are highest in magnesium are things like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. Regularly drinking alcohol can also deplete your magnesium levels. A dose of 250 to 500 mg of magnesium a day can start to decrease these deficiencies as well as the pain, after just several weeks. If you have kidney problems, do not use without your physician’s OK.

Acupuncture

Many people find that acupuncture helps relieve pain and disability due to arthritis; several studies have found benefit from the procedure.

Glucosamine

There is some evidence that suggests that glucosamine alleviates arthritis pain. For osteoarthritis, the typical dose of glucosamine used in most studies was 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate taken three times a day. Ask your doctor about specific dosing.

Tart Cherries

Or tart cherry juice. Tart cherries contain higher amounts of anthocyanins — antioxidants that help repair the tiny tears of muscle damage.

Precautions: Do your due-diligence and your own research. The use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Article source: modernsurvivalblog.com

Sources: University of Maryland, Medical Center University of Vermont, vitamindcouncil.org ,Psychology Today, NaturalNews.com ,Health.com ,WEbMD