What are the benefits of natural home remedies for body aches and how exactly do they work? We’ve got all the answers, practical tips, and household recipes you’ll ever need right here in this guide.
What Causes Body Aches?
Body aches can be a result of any combination of causes. It could be the result of exhaustion, statically sitting for too long, or perhaps some underlying health condition that’s causing muscle and joint pain. Before trying out any home remedies for body aches, it’s important to be aware of potential risk factors first. These include:
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Sleep Deprivation
- Strenuous Exercise
- Chronic Fatigue
- Arthritis
- Infections, such as Flus or Colds
- Fluid Retention (causing muscle swelling)
- Autoimmune Illnesses
While popping some painkillers or medication might provide temporary relief of sorts from discomfort, it mightn’t be the correct course of treatment for less serious causes of body aches and pains.
In many cases, simple at-home treatments for fatigue and muscle weakness are all that’s needed. If you’re experiencing body discomfort or weariness that isn’t being alleviated by at-home remedies, you should seek the advice of a medical professional as soon as possible.
In the meanwhile, however, why not try these common home remedies for body aches and pain relief.
1. Salt Water Soak
Most of us have submerged our tired feet in warm salt water after a difficult workout, long workday or lengthy hike at some point in our lives. Similarly, mainly have taken a long soak in the tub with some bath salts after an exhausting day, and felt all the better for it. There is some evidence to back up the folk treatment of bathing aching joints in salt water to relieve oedema and muscular aches induced by exercise and strain.
In a study of persons with osteoarthritis, foot soaks with Epsom salt, for example, were found to relieve symptoms of joint pain. This study backs up traditional folk medicine’s assertions that salt soaks are a great home remedy for body aches.
Here are some simple step-by-step instructions on how to use salt water soaks to relieve your aches and pains.
Instructions:
- Fill up a tub with hot warm and pour in a cup of bath salts (Epsom or otherwise).
- Submerge the aching body part in the hot tub for at least 20 minutes.
- If it’s not possible to completely submerge the affected body part in the salt water, you can soak a clean towel in the solution and place it on the body part it’s most needed. Once the towel loses heath, re-submerge in the salt solution and start over.
- For best results, perform this home remedy for body aches at least once daily, or twice daily if needed, until aching symptoms subside.
2. Cold Therapy
If you’ve ever been hurt while playing sports, you’re probably well aware of the benefits of using an ice pack to ease physical aches. A cold compress, in a similar vein, aids in the reduction of body aches due to its anti-inflammatory actions, which effectively inhibit nerve activity in the affected body areas and provide temporary respite from body pain.
Some researchers have proven the effectiveness of cold thermo-therapy as a means of relieving lower back pain. To make the most of this particular home remedy for body aches, all you will need is an ice pack or failing that, a frozen bag of vegetables or ice cubes from the freezer wrapped in a flannel also works a treat.
Instructions:
- Get a source of cold (ice pack, bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables wrapped in cloth), and apply to the area of discomfort in your body.
- Apply a gentle amount of pressure to the topical area and let it rest there for a few seconds at a time for at least 10 minutes in total. Be careful not to keep it there too long as it can cause further discomfort.
- Repeat this entire procedure at least twice or thrice daily.
3. Drink Ginger or Turmeric
The benefits of ginger tea are myriad, and something that we like to sing the praises of time and time again. The same is true of turmeric. This golden yellow ginger root is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties and its positive effects are also reported to improve blood flow and circulation.
Similar to ginger, turmeric is a tropical herb that has been used medicinally for centuries. Curcumin, which is present in the plant’s roots, is a potent anti-inflammatory compound and antioxidant.
According to published scientific studies on turmeric, the benefits include alleviation of joint and muscular pain, improved immunity, and even potential disease prevention. It also reportedly helps in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery in injured people.
Consuming ginger and turmeric in the form of tea is a popular way to reap their health benefits, plus it only takes approximately ten minutes to make. Check out our recipe for Ginger and Turmeric Tea below for a great home remedy for body aches that also helps with colds and other forms of discomfort.
Ingredients:
- Hot water, boiled
- 1” of ginger root, grated
- 1” of turmeric root, grated
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/2 slice of lemon,
- optional sweetener: vegan honey substitute
Instructions:
- Wash, peel, and grate your turmeric and ginger into a saucepan. Add your cinnamon also.
- Add water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
- Once boiled, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer and cool down.
- Once cool enough to drink, strain the mixture and pour your new tea into a glass.
- Slice a lemon slice in half for decoration. Squeeze the remaining lemon into glass for its juice and for an extra kick. Feel free to sweeten the mixture if desired.
- Enjoy!
You can also refrigerate this Ginger and Turmeric tea, and enjoy it the next day too.
Utopia Tip: It’s important to know where your ginger, turmeric, and lemons were grown because it’s sold worldwide. For instance, shipping Chinese ginger to the USA may be more environmentally damaging than shipping South American ginger.
Also, look for a label that your ginger and turmeric roots are certified USDA Organic. This method guarantees pesticide-free roots. By using your purchasing power in this way, you can promote environmental solidarity and simultaneously take a stand against harmful chemical pesticides.
4. Massage (With Essential Oils)
Our final entry for home remedies for body aches is massage, which is undoubtedly one of the most popular techniques for reducing pain and stress. Although research is ongoing, some convincing evidence suggests that massage is more effective than no pain treatment at all in alleviating pain and bodily aches.
Regardless of where the research is at, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that testifies to the effectiveness of massage for alleviating muscle and joint pain. Common effects of massages that are conducive to relieving body aches include:
- Tissue relaxation
- Decreased stress
- Lessened nerve compression
All of these elements combine and contribute to pain relief during a therapeutic massage.
In addition, a diluted blend of essential oils massaged into sore muscles can provide some additional relief. Studies have indicated that essential oils like tea tree oil can help reduce inflammation and boost white blood cell activity, which may aid in the healing process after an injury.
Do a skin patch test before applying any essential oils topically to rule out any potential allergies. Furthermore, a mixture containing only a few drops of oil diluted with water should be applied directly to the affected area to prevent skin irritation.
Instructions:
You can receive a professional massage, have a loved one massage you, or even give yourself a mild massage. So long as it’s not too far out of grasp. It’s quick simple really:
- Apply the warm oil all over your body and massage it in for at least 10 minutes before washing it off with a warm shower.
- Repeat this remedy several times a week.
Most muscle pains are completely benign and hopefully, these home remedies for body aches will clear them right up. Nonetheless, persistent pains should be taken seriously. Extreme or persistent muscle pain may indicate a more serious health problem that needs medical attention. You should see a doctor for an evaluation of whether your muscle discomfort is severe or ongoing.
Read more:
- 7 Natural Remedies for Sore Throats: How to Relieve Throat Pain
- The 5 Best Natural Remedies for a Stomach Ache
- Sitting Position: 12 Tips for Proper Posture
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