pain relief Archives

September 26, 2019 By Harpreet Kaur 2 Comments

6 Natural Painkillers To Relieve Common Ailments

When faced with even a minor headache, muscle tension or other pains, popping a pill seems like the easiest way out. It has almost become a habit to such an extent that we don’t even think twice before gulping down a painkiller or an antibiotic. What we fail to realize is how toxic such dependence can become! “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” said Hippocrates. On that note, I will be listing down some foods that act as natural painkillers. The good news is that they do not have any side effects!

1. Ginger & Turmeric

Ginger and Turmeric have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. They are far more effective than drugs like ibuprofen for pain relief. Ginger helps block the formation of inflammatory compounds and also has antioxidant effects. Both the herbs can be added in tea, milk, hot water and smoothies.

Turmeric also improves blood circulation and prevents blood clotting. Turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin is responsible for lowering inflammation in our body, acts as a pain reliever for headache, menstrual cramps and even normal body aches. Gulp down a glass of turmeric milk or ginger + turmeric water before sleeping and say hello to a super relaxed body the next day!

2. Cloves

Cloves have been long used since ancient times to treat toothaches. Cloves may also help ease nausea and treat cold. They may also help relieve the pain associated with headaches, arthritic inflammation and toothaches. A compound called Eugenol is responsible for the pain relieving properties of cloves. Rub a small amount of clove oil on gums for battling gum issues or dip a small pulse size cotton ball in clove oil and keep on aching tooth to get immediate relief.

3. Plain Yoghurt

Plain yoghurt has been long used to ease the symptoms of bloating and inflammation. The healthy bacteria in yoghurt improves digestion and helps in relieving abdominal pain. Try having a bowl of curd with some black salt, asafoetida and roasted cumin powder for long term good gut health. Buttermilk made from low fat milk is also a good way to treat indigestion.

4. Green tea

Green tea is emerging as the new age miracle food. It is packed with polyphenols, antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation and muscle damage. The miracle compound present is an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) which helps blocks pain signals and provides relief in body ache, menstrual cramps, headache and even arthritis.

5. Peppermint

Most of us have heard of and even used a small green mint pill, popularly sold as a capsule to relieve stomach ache! It actually contains extracts of Peppermint which is known for its therapeutic properties. Mint has a cooling nature and can help in relieving indigestion, nausea and headache. Menthol, peppermint’s main active ingredient, is found in the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. So next time before you pop a pill for stomach ache or indigestion, try a cup of mint tea.

6. Asafoetida

Asafoetida, commonly known as ‘Hing’ in Indian households is a common ingredient used in curries and vegetables. It is known to reduce bloating, stomach ache and gastric issues. To effectively relieve abdominal pain, try applying Hing paste on the naval area. A powder consisting of roasted Asafoetida, cumin seeds and carom seeds works wonders for digestion and reducing bloating. It has antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties which make it a very useful common kitchen ingredient.

Hopefully, this article will help you rely less on pills and more on natural ingredients which can help you relieve common ailments. Do share your thoughts in the comments below!

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#BeTheForce

August 9, 2017 By Trishala Chopra 11 Comments

Should it be a Hot or a Cold shower after a workout?

Man Shower

What’s the first thing you’d like to do after getting home from the gym? Or after a home workout, a trek and the likes?

“Drink water!” – Says my mind!

“Please go and take a bath!”- Shouts my body!

Obviously! Who likes to sit around with sweat all over! However, the question arises if to take a shower with cold water or hot water? More often than not I find people saying take a bath- with a cold shower as it makes them feel better!

But, did you know that what you choose, why you choose and what happens after you choose your bathing water has a lot to do with good health!

Let me explain this better by getting a little technical and a little scientific. Many trainers and fitness experts feel that cold shower or ice bath is the best after a sweaty workout.

Cold shower after a sweaty and hot gym is a shock to the system. The immediate drop in the body temperature directs the blood flow towards the vital organs which leaves the muscles alone to repair and manage with the lactic acid accumulation which has happened. When this happens, vasoconstriction takes place (Vasoconstriction is the constriction of blood vessels which increases the blood pressure) which reduces the temperature of the damaged tissue

Cold water prevents the swelling and typical pain which sometimes happens after any strenuous workouts. Cold water shower works in the same way as the ice pack will work for a post workout injury. This also helps in increasing the blood circulation in the body.

Hotvs Cold

If you have any post workout pain or soreness- Go ahead with cold water shower for some relief.

But, there are some do’s and don’ts while you take a cold-water shower. People with high blood pressure issues should avoid taking post workout cold water shower. Water can be at room temperature; extremely cold water is also not a good option.

Well, the argument doesn’t end here. While some experts believe that hot water shower is better than a cold shower. Let’s check the theory behind what hot water does to your body after a workout!

If cold water causes vasoconstriction as mentioned above, hot water causes vasodilation (Dilates the blood vessels which decreases the blood pressure).

Hot water shower stimulates the blood flow to the skin and helps in soothing the muscles. When the blood flow increases to the muscles, the lactic accumulation disperses out reducing the post workout soreness and reduces the uneasiness. As far as it is a soreness pain; hot water shower can work but if at all there is a post workout injury and the tissue has got damaged then please go for an ice pack and cold-water shower. Hot water might make you relax but ice will actually start healing the damaged tissue.

When I say hot water, it doesn’t mean boiling hot water! The temperature of the water can be slightly more than the room temperature which gives you soothing relief.

The argument of whether hot or cold water will always remain. Basis, the above explanation choose what suits you the best and go ahead with that option!