Natural pain killers may offer pain relief without the side effects of traditional medicines.

Herbs, relaxation techniques, and unique therapies can serve as effective natural pain killers to help you find relief from a variety of painful conditions. Learn about 8 of the best natural pain relievers below.

Herbs for Natural Pain Relief

There are a variety of plants that offer natural pain killers qualities.

1. Devil’s claw is an excellent remedy for conditions like back pain and osteoarthritis._[1] It may have even broader pain-relieving abilities than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)._[2] Read more about Devil’s claw here.
2. Feverfew is one of the most effective natural treatments for migraine pain._[3] It is also effective in reducing joint and nerve pain. Researchers believe that its anti-inflammatory and other pain-relieving properties may make it an effective treatment for many types of pain._[4]
3. A homeopathic staple for pain treatment, arnica can help with sprains, strains, bruises, and osteoarthritis._[5-8] It can also help with pain after exercise as well as relieving pain after surgery. Read about the many uses of arnica here.
4. The compound responsible for making hot peppers spicy, capsaicin is effective in pain control, too._[9] Capsaicin acts on sensory receptors that help to turn down the feeling of pain. Topical application of capsaicin can bring relief from osteoarthritis pain and neuropathic pain (as with diabetic neuropathy), for example._[10,11]

Mind-body Therapies as Natural Pain Killers

Did you know that the sensation of pain actually originates in your brain? Fortunately, we can actively alter the way our brain evaluates painful stimuli, helping to increase our pain tolerance and decrease painful symptoms._[12,13] Several techniques that aim to take more control over our minds and that relax the body can work wonders for pain control. Here are a few good examples:

• Meditation and mindfulness. Mindfulness meditation, which focuses on awareness of the present moment, can reduce the way we perceive pain. In one study, only four days of training led to a 40% reduction in pain rating and a 57% reduction in pain-unpleasantness._[14] This kind of meditation can help you to control back pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines. Read more about meditation and mindfulness for pain control here.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy can benefit your health and well being in numerous ways. It is a therapeutic technique that helps you to identify negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and learn how to replace them with productive alternatives. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for chronic pain,_[15,16] as you learn to respond less to your pain and live a life less controlled by your pain.

Additional Therapies for Pain Relief

• Infrared sauna therapy is an effective non-drug treatment option for pain conditions ranging from fibromyalgia to rheumatoid arthritis. In this type of sauna, infrared energy is emitted, which allows the heat to penetrate your tissues deeply without you feeling too overheated.
• Ozone therapy uses ozone (O₃) applied to the body. One of the many benefits of ozone therapy is natural pain relief. Find a doctor trained in the use of ozone therapy in the NHA Directory.

Getting Started with Natural Pain Relievers

If you’ve been suffering from pain, whether it is due to arthritis, migraines, or back pain, its time to get started finding relief today. Try out some of the herbal remedies listed above, and combine those with mind-body therapies that can help you gain control over your pain. Make sure to be getting good, regular sleep, which will also help in decreasing your pain levels._[17] If you still don’t find relief, try infrared or ozone therapy treatments.

Share Your Experience

How do you manage pain naturally? Have you had success with herbal treatments as natural pain killers? What about meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

This  article was originally published in 2016. It is regularly updated.

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[14] J Neurosci. 2011 Apr 6;31(14):5540-8.

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[16] Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002 Nov 15;27(22):2564-73.

[17] J Pain. 2013 Dec;14(12):1539-52.