No one wants to run to the doctor for every ache, cramp, or cough. There are many reasons you experience pain, from arthritis-related joint inflammation to overdoing it in the garden. No matter the cause, when you’re aching, all you want is for the hurt to stop. Don’t let common aches and pains keep you off your mat or ruin your practice. Recover faster with these natural fixes!
JOINT PAIN
Remedy 1: Massage therapy helps relieve joint pain by improving circulation and soothing inflammation. In fact, several studies indicate that regular massage can improve pain, stiffness and range of motion in the affected joint. To massage the affected area, use warm oil like coconut, olive, mustard, castor or garlic oil and apply gentle pressure while massaging.
Remedy 2: Swallow one teaspoon of finely ground fenugreek seeds followed by a glass of lukewarm water. Do this daily in the morning until you get positive results.
SORE THROAT
A warm saltwater gargle can help clean out mucus, germs, and bacteria and may even help prevent upper-respiratory-tract infections. Gargle with a mixture of 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/2 cup warm water. Do it two to three times per week all winter as a preventive measure, increasing to once a day at the first sign of a sore throat!
MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
Remedy 1: Grate a small piece of ginger and boil it in a cup of water for five minutes. Strain it and add a little honey and lemon juice. Drink this tea three times a day during your menstrual cycle.
Remedy 2: Place a heating pad over the lower part of your abdomen and lower back. You can even use a regular plastic bottle filled with hot water. Apply the heat until you feel more comfortable.
BACK PAIN
Remedy 1: Massaging your back with herbal oil can help your muscles relax and relieve pain. You can use any herbal oil such as eucalyptus oil, almond oil, olive oil or coconut oil. Heat the oil until warm and massage it gently over the aching area.
Remedy 2: Simply eat two to three cloves of garlic every morning on empty stomach. You can also massage your back with garlic oil.
INDIGESTION OR STOMACH ACHE
Remedy 1: Mix 1/2 tsp baking soda into a glass of room-temperature water, and sip.
Remedy 2: Grind together some carom seeds and dried ginger into a fine powder. Add one teaspoon of this powder and a little black pepper to a cup of warm water and drink it. Do this once or twice a day.
HEAD ACHE
Remedy 1: You can make a herbal tea by adding 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint to a cup of boiling water. Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and add some honey to sweeten it. Sip the tea slowly.
Remedy 2: Fill a large bowl with steaming hot water and add 3 to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to it. Hold a towel over your head and take in the steam for 10 to 15 minutes.
NECK PAIN
Remedy 1: Take a hot bath or shower to relax your sore neck muscles. Rub some lavender oil on your neck and shoulders. Apply gentle pressure in small circular motions to massage the affected area for 10 minutes. Repeat daily as needed.
Remedy 2: Mix one tablespoon of blackstrap molasses in a glass of warm water. Drink this mixture twice daily until you get relief from the pain.
EAR ACHE
Remedy 1: Extract one tablespoon of onion juice from grated onions and heat it over low heat. Then put 2-3 drops of the juice into affected ear 2-3 times a day.
Remedy 2: You can also mix one teaspoon of fresh grated ginger root with two tablespoons of olive oil. Leave it to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes and then put a few drops of the oil in the aching ear.