Top 6 Natural Alternatives To Ibuprofen

Top 6 Natural Alternatives To Ibuprofen. Graphic © herbshealthhappiness.com. Photo © AdobeStock 30255435 (under license)

Ibuprofen is a type of “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug” (NSAID) that is in wide use as a painkiller. It has been demonstrated to be effective at pain removal, however there is the possibility of some serious side effects, including internal bleeding and heart problems such as higher risk of heart attacks or stroke.

Despite this, ibuprofen remains one of the most popular painkillers in the market and continues to be sold in most drugstores, grocery stores, and convenience stores throughout the world. ^[1]

The risk of this varies depending on the amount used and from person to person. But I had a personal experience with Ibuprofen, not so long ago, where I only took ONE and the following morning there was blood. It did seem a mighty strange coincidence that the one time I took Ibuprofen in years just so happened to be several hours before the one time in years I passed blood. Now your mileage may vary and I cannot of course make medicinal recommendations of any kind – but it was “game over” for me. I have no intention of ever taking it again. Anyway I hope that’s not “too much information”.

#1 – White Willow Bark

With the scientific name Salix alba, white willow is a plant used for the extracts from its bark. Historically, white willow has been widely used to manage a variety of conditions because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and analgesic properties. In modern times, it is an excellent natural alternative to manage headaches, chronic lower back pain, joint pain, and osteoarthritis. Though more research is needed, willow bark is also promising in dealing with menstrual cramps, fever, flu, inflammation of the tendons, and even pain caused by cancer. ^[2][3]

#2 – Chili Pepper

Chili pepper is a pretty unusual method of managing pain. Its spicy flavor and inherent heat make it a favorite in cooking but did you know that it also has potent analgesic properties. Capsaicin, the active component of hot peppers has been used in topically-applied creams since the 1980s to manage pain. In recent times, the EU and USA has approved the use of a capsaicin patch, which has been shown to manage neuropathic pain effectively, compared to pain medications. A single 60-minute application of the Qutenza™ patch was able to prove pain relief for up to twelve weeks in patients experiencing neuropathic pain. The capsaicin patch does this by desentisizing pain receptors, reducing pain effectively and immediately for a prolonged period of time. ^[4]

#3 – Boswellia

Boswellia is a tree famous for its fragrant resin which has therapeutic effects in the management of pain. Studies have shown how variants of Boswellia extract can rapidly alleviate pain as well as be able to manage chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis. In the case of people affected by arthritis, Boswellia was able to improve pain, mobility, and joint flexion after eight weeks of treatment. ^[5][6]

#4 – Cat’s Claw

Cat’s claw is a popular treatment method for osteoarthritis. It has potent anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate the swelling in the joints. Because of this, cat’s claw is able to greatly reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent further damage to the affected joints – all within the first week of treatment. ^[7]

#5 – Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in numerous fresh fish like salmon and tuna, as well as vegetables like brussel sprouts and kale. This kind of food is known as “good for the heart” because it promotes cardiovascular health and decreases a person’s risk for hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. All this is because of omega-3’s potent anti-inflammatory properties, which can concurrently also reduce pain in cases. In a study in 2015, omega-3 fatty acids were seen to reduce pain alone or in conjunction with morphine. ^[8]

#6 – Curcumin

Curcumin is a primary component of the herb turmeric, which also displays potent analgesic characteristics. In two studies published in 2011 and 2011, the effectiveness of curcumin was seen in cases of neuropathic pain and post-operative pain after laparascopic cholecystectomy. By the third post-operative week, test subjects included in the latter study were completely pain free. Another study even revealed how curcumin was able to alleviate the worst kind of pain – pain caused by burns – because of its strong anti-inflammatory characteristics. ^[9][10][11]

Further Reading:

Note that we also have some other pages on natural pain remedies, here are two:

Top 20 Natural Painkillers In Your Kitchen

Top 10 Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Here’s to finding a pain-free life!