It is very common to have body aches. It can result from exercise or tiredness, but also it can be a symptom of some underlying condition. Pain felt in joints and muscles can be debilitating, discomforting, and annoying. We want immediately to get relief from the pain at the moment we first feel it. We want to get a quick remedy which will work fast. Some forms of pain need more intense pain remedies, but others can be treated with home remedies. There are many home remedies which can help you with the treatment of body aches. You need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies, so in this way, you can avoid possible side effects caused by them.
18 Home treatments for body aches
Garlic
This home remedy is rich in sulfur and selenium, and both of these elements can help you to get relief from joint and muscle pain. The sulfur in it can help you to get relief from the inflammation, while selenium has an anti-rheumatic effect. This can help people who have arthritis and who tend to have low levels of selenium in the blood. If you are experiencing pain on a regular basis, then you may need more advanced treatment. If you have chronic pain, then you should know that it could be a symptom of osteoarthritis, and it should be addressed sooner or later. So, you need to talk with your doctor as soon as possible if you have chronic pain so that the right cause can be identified. [1]
Turmeric
Turmeric has an active ingredient called curcumin which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is an excellent home remedy for joint and muscle pain. In some studies are said that using turmeric as a home remedy for body aches is effective as Ibuprofen is used for pain relief for people who suffer from osteoarthritis. [2]
Regular exercise
It is very important to have regular exercise because this can help to strengthen and stretch affected joints and muscles, often reducing the pain. A lack of physical activity can worsen joint pain in the body. So, it is very important to make exercises which you like.
Apple cider vinegar
This home remedy has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which can be used as a home remedy for body aches. You should mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of warm water. Then, add honey to this mixture and drink this mixture two times per day for at least two to three days for the best results. Also, you can soak yourself in warm water with two cups of apple cider vinegar for a nice and relaxing bath. This will also help you to get relief from the pain caused by body aches. [3]
Ginger
People have been used ginger for thousands of years for treatment of many different health problems, including nausea and pain. This home remedy has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which can help you to get rid of the frequent body aches. People, who suffer from peptic ulcers, should not use it, because it can cause irritation and a burning sensation in the stomach. You should grate two tablespoons of fresh ginger and boil four cups of water. Then, add grated ginger to the warm water. You should let it steep for ten minutes. Then, strain it and remove the ginger pieces. You should allow the water to cool and sip the mixture through the day for best results. Ginger has a strong taste, so you can add honey or lemon to improve the taste. [4,8]
Body massage
You can get a professional body massage, because this will give you a relief from the muscle tension. At the same time, it will relax your muscles. In one study was said that massage therapy is functioning better than no having treatment in the way of reducing pain.
Vitamins
Your body needs vitamins to function properly. Vitamin B1, Vitamin E, and Vitamin D deficiency can lead to muscle weakness and pain, which is making you to feel exhausted, fatigued, and tired with the minutest of physical activity. You should incorporate foods like sweet potatoes, spinach, almonds, apricots, apples, and carrots to steer clear of body pains and aches. Also, you can take additional supplements, but talk with your doctor first. [5]
Cherry juice
Cherry juice is one of the best natural remedies to reduce the pain caused by inflammation. This home remedy is used to treat muscle pain, as well as peripheral neuropathy, and both of them can lead to body aches. You should consume a glass of unsweetened cherry juice on a daily basis so that you will get the best results. [6]
Mustard oil
One of the best home remedies which can help you to treat the body ache is the gentle massage with some lukewarm mustard oil all over your body. You should let your body to soak the oil for a minimum of thirty minutes before you wash it off with warm water. You should do this natural treatment once on a daily basis to get the best results. [7]
Bananas
It has been shown that a deficiency in potassium can lead to body and muscle aches. You should consume two bananas on a daily basis, so you will counteract the deficiency and provide your body with instant energy.
Cinnamon
This home remedy has anti-inflammatory, healing, and analgesic properties, which is making it one of the most sought–after remedies for treating body pains, as well as improving overall health. You should add one teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one glass of warm water and stir it well. Then, add some honey to the mixture and consume it right away. You can have this mixture on a daily basis so that you will have the best results. [8]
Epsom salt
You should soak your body in a tub filled with warm water mixed with a couple of scoops of Epsom salt. It has been proven that this is effective home remedy for getting a relief from the aching muscles over the years. Epsom salt is made of magnesium sulfate which is known as a natural relaxant. Also, it can help to reduce swelling by drawing the excess fluids out of muscle and joint tissue. You should try soaking for fifteen minutes at a time and do it three times per week.
Rosemary
Rosemary has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which can help to combat body pain naturally and effectively. You should add a teaspoon of rosemary tea to one glass of hot water. Then, allow it to steep for 5 – 10 minutes, strain it and add some honey to the tea and consume it immediately. Also, you can mix rosemary oil with a carrier oil and massage it all over your body. You can drink rosemary tea three times per day. [9]
Peppermint oil
This home remedy has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. They can help you to get a relief from the muscle spasms and inflammation which usually includes body aches. You should add 12 drops of peppermint oil to 30 ml of any carrier oil and mix it well. Then, massage this home remedy on the affected area and let it stay there for 30 – 40 minutes, after which you can go ahead with your bath. You need to do this natural treatment once per day. [10]
Heat and cold compress
You can use hot and cold compresses because this can help to ease joint pain. Heat can help to increase blood flow, and this can relax sore muscles and joints and decreases pain. Cold treatment can help to reduce inflammation, and it can numb the area around the aching muscle or joint. In most cases, people alternate between hot and cold for the best results.
Rest
You need to rest because this will allow your body to have time to repair and recuperate.
Cayenne pepper
This home remedy has capsaicin. This element can help to block the sensations of pain. Also, it will stimulate blood flow, and it acts as a natural pain reliever for combating body aches. You should add a teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper to one cup of warm water. Mix these ingredients and add some honey to it and consume this home remedy. You need to do this natural treatment once or twice per day. [11]
Lavender oil
This home remedy has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and pain-relieving properties. It can help you to get relief from the body aches and the underlying inflammation which can cause it. You should add 12 drops of lavender oil to 30 ml of any carrier oil (like olive oil or coconut oil) and mix it well. Then, gently massage this home remedy all over your body and let it stay on your body for 30 – 40 minutes, and then wash it off. You need to do this natural treatment once on a daily basis. [12]
References:
[1] Pareek S, Dixit M, Govil S, Jadhav I. Garlic and its role in arthritis management. In Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for Arthritis and Related Inflammatory Diseases. 2019.
[2] Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2016;19(8):717–29.
[3] Atik D, Atik C, Karatepe C. The effect of external apple vinegar application on varicosity symptoms, pain, and social appearance anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016.
[4] University of Georgia. Daily ginger consumption eases muscle pain by 25 percent, study suggests. Science Daily. 2010.
[5] Helde-Frankling M, Björkhem-Bergman L. Vitamin D in pain management. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017;18(10):2170.
[6] Kuehl KS, Perrier ET, Elliot DL, Chesnutt JC. Efficacy of tart cherry juice in reducing muscle pain during running: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2010;7:17.
[7] Andersen HH, Vecchio SL, Gazerani P, Arendt-Nielsen L. Dose-response study of topical allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil) as a human surrogate model of pain, hyperalgesia, and neurogenic inflammation. Pain. 2017;158(9):1723-32.
[8] Mashhadi NS, Ghiasvand R, Askari G, et al. Influence of ginger and cinnamon intake on inflammation and muscle soreness endued by exercise in Iranian female athletes. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S11–S15.
[9] Keshavarzian S, Shahgholian N. Comparison of the effect of topical application of rosemary and menthol for musculoskeletal pain in hemodialysis patients. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2017;22(6):436–41.
[10] Akbari F, Rezaei M, Khatony A. Effect of peppermint essence on the pain and anxiety caused by intravenous catheterization in cardiac patients: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pain Research. 2019;12:2933-9.
[11] McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH. Capsaicin may have important potential for promoting vascular and metabolic health. Open Heart. 2015;2(1):e000262.
[12] Lamadah S. The effect of aromatherapy massage using lavender oil on the level of pain and anxiety during labour among Primigravida women. American Journal of Nursing Science. 2016;5(2):37.
