12 Natural Muscle Relaxers to Help Reduce Body Pain, Stiffness, Aches
Using natural muscle relaxers is the best way to soothe your muscles and reduce muscle pain.
Almost everyone experiences muscle pain or stiffness at some point in their life. Many people use traditional, synthetic muscle relaxants to reduce the muscle stiffness. But, these traditional medications come with some side effects.
Natural muscle relaxers can help you get rid of the muscle pain, aches, and stiffness with almost zero negative effects on your body.
Muscle spasms are painful and occur in the abdomen, hands, and feet generally. It leads to involuntary hardness and bulging in a muscle. It may be due to vigorous exercise or underlying health conditions.
Several natural muscle relaxers for back pain, body pain and stiffness are available. To make them work, one should take proper rest and sleep.
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12 Natural Muscle Relaxers for Back Pain, Muscle Aches, and Stiffness
Both overwork or underuse of muscle can cause problems in muscles. Whether you suffer from a sprain, strain or a cramp, they can be painful. It can hamper the daily routine of life.
People with acute neck pain and back pain often suffer from muscle spasms. There are several homemade natural muscle relaxers for relieving the pain. These natural muscle relaxants help to reduce pain without any major side-effect.
1. Massage and Movement
Massage and body movement are natural muscle relaxers. It helps to improve blood circulation in the affected area.
It happens because our muscles perform a work until we force it to change. If the muscle is tensed up, it will remain so.
So perform massage or movement like standing, walking, and stretching. They act as natural muscle relaxants. They help to prevent and reduce muscle aches and backaches.
2. Tart Cherries
One of the best muscle relaxing foods is tart cherries. They are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They act as natural muscle relaxers.
Tart cherry juice can minimize post-run pain. Runners ingest them for better endurance. They also help in combatting the muscles. Cherry juice is also helpful as a sleep aid. Relieve your pain and get your restorative rest.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile serves as a herbal remedy for muscle spasm. Massage chamomile essential oil to provide relief to sore muscles. This natural muscle relaxant has anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile tea also helps in relaxing sore muscles and spasm.
4. Blueberry Smoothies
The blueberry smoothie can speed up the recovery of damaged muscles. Being one of the natural muscle relaxers, blueberries have antioxidant powers.
They help to lower stress, inflammation, and exercise-induced muscle damage. A muscle-relaxing food, drinking blueberry smoothies is thus, beneficial for sportspersons. They are even helpful for aging seniors.
5. Peppermint and Essential Oils
Peppermint is also a natural muscle relaxer. It is useful in the treatment of sore muscles. It is a natural muscle relaxer for back pain.
Peppermint is a natural painkiller. This essential oil also serves as one of the essential oils for muscle aches. Dilute it in a carrier oil and apply in the affected area.
Other essential oils for muscle aches include lemongrass essential oil. It improves blood circulation. Frankincense and cypress essential oils reduce inflammation. They are essential oils for muscle pain.
6. Epsom Salt
Epsom Salt is a natural muscle relaxant. It is also called magnesium sulfate. Epsom Salt can help in increasing the internal magnesium levels.
It can help in reducing muscle pain and can avoid muscle cramps. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt in warm water. Take a bath with it for at least 15-20 minutes per week.
Related Reading: Drinking Epsom Salt: Health Benefits and Side Effects Explained
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is an essential oil for muscle pain. Add few drops of this essential oil along with coconut or olive oil. Apply and massage in the affected area.
A warm bath with few drops of Rosemary herb in water will ease muscle tightness. The tea prepared with one teaspoon of dried rosemary promotes blood circulation. It helps to treat arthritis and headaches too.
8. Pepper
Capsaicin is a natural compound which is present in cayenne pepper. It is one of the natural muscle relaxants. Chilli peppers, cayenne peppers, and Tabasco peppers are pain relievers. Use them to prepare muscle relaxing foods like soups, stews, and stir-fries.
Add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to two tablespoons of warm extra-virgin oil. Apply it to the affected area. Topical capsaicin cream helps in the treatment of chronic soft tissue pain.
9. Valerian
This herb contains volatile oils which help to relieve neck tension. It relaxes your muscles and reduces muscle pain.
Valerian is an excellent natural muscle relaxer for back spasms. It is highly effective in treating sciatica pain. It is also useful in relieving stress and promotes sleep.
To reduce muscle pain and cramps, take half teaspoon of valerian liquid extract daily. You can also drink valerian tea a few times a week.
10. Arnica
Arnica is one of the natural muscle relaxers for back spasms. It is available in the form of oil, cream, ointment or salve. A natural muscle relaxant, it reduces pain and heals muscle damage. It also improves blood circulation.
Apply arnica oil daily in the affected area by mixing it with any carrier oil. Over-the-counter arnica balm can also be used for the same.
11. Rest and Stretching
Stretching and rest are also natural muscle relaxers. Stretching reduces the likelihood of experiencing pain.
Rest, on the other hand, gives you the time to recover from an injury. Proper stretching before and after exercising warms you up. It reduces pain due to muscle tears or lactic acid build-up.
Overworking and overstimulating your muscles can cause muscle spasms. Proper sleep, keeping your body hydrated and resting the joints can help you heal faster.
12. Lavender
Lavender is also one of the natural muscle relaxers. It provides relaxation in muscles aches and pains. It also reduces swelling and inflammation. This herb can treat headaches, sore muscles, neck pain, and arthritis pain.
Massage lavender essential oil is an essential oil for muscle pain. Massage it on affected area by blending it with warm coconut or olive oil. Then take a hot bath with few drops of lavender oil. It will increase the blood flow to the muscles.
Passionflower, Vitamin D capsules, liquids and tablets and exposure to sunlight are also natural muscle relaxers. Catnip is also a fantastic natural muscle relaxer for back pain. They prevent painful muscle spasms.
Related Reading: 10 Essential Oils for Cough or Cold and How to Use them
Conclusion
Some of the above mentioned natural muscle relaxers can cause minor side effects. They include drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, and addiction. It may happen due to overdosage.
They are still better than the conventional muscle treatments. Synthetic treatments can be harmful to the body. The natural herbs and therapy can also benefit the body if proper dose is followed.
Read Next:
Sources:
Andre, D., “Top 12 natural muscle relaxers to fix aches and pains,” Bone Health, BelMarraHealth, January 21, 2017,https://www.belmarrahealth.com/top-12-natural-muscle-relaxers-fix-aches-pains/
“The 8 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers,” Dr. Axe, 2017, https://draxe.com/muscle-relaxers/
“10 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers,”Top10HomeRemedies, August 14th, 2017
https://www.top10homeremedies.com/kitchen-ingredients/10-best-natural-muscle-relaxers.html
Fanous, S., “The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers,” Healthline, August2,2017 https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/best-natural-muscle-relaxers
