Herbal Remedies for Muscle Pain By Gayle Povis Alleman, M.S., R.D.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Sprains result from over-stretching ligaments that surround joints. Bruises are the result of external pressure that's hard enough to break blood vessels. Sore muscles result from unusual movement or overexertion.

Luckily, nature provides remedies to heal these conditions and help you feel better sooner. Using herbal remedies that include vitamin C, wormwood and other items can help offer relief and help injuries heal faster.

Herbal Remedies for Muscle Pain

Bruises caused from light pressure indicate delicate blood vessels that could use some strengthening.

To help, eat produce from your garden that is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids -- both of which contribute to the integrity and elasticity of blood vessels such foods include berries of all types, including elderberry, hawthorn, and bilberry. Plums, citrus fruits, bell peppers, and broccoli are also rich in these nutrients.

Herbs that are chock-full of flavonoids include butcher's broom, nettle, oregon grape, rosemary, and skullcap; try some of these in tea. Infusions of witch hazel, wormwood, and chamomile can also be applied externally to speed the healing of bruises.

Applying a compress of St. John's wort, witch hazel, wintergreen, wormwood, or Chamomile can help a sprain heal quickly.

Arnica is one of the best pain relievers for sore muscles as well as sprains make a salve or liniment from this comforting plant. Several herbs, including valerian, skullcap, and rosemary, help decrease muscle spasms; drink tea made from them.

Black cohosh, chamomile, and mint applied topically decrease pain and inflammation. Lavender oil makes a fragrant and relaxing massage oil for sore or stressed muscles.

Cayenne pepper, a warming herb, will increase circulation when used in a liniment. Increasing circulation helps in the removal of substances such as lactic acid that are produced by overworked muscles.

No matter which herb you choose, the many herbal remedies for muscle pains can help heal bruises faster, relieve sore muscles and decrease inflammation.

Salt bath once a week (usually the night of a heavy leg workout), I sprawl out in our
massive bathtub for around 20-30 minutes. I do this about an hour before I go to bed.

Actually, I make a complete restoration soup out of it. The recipe involves epsom salts, Celtic or tropical sea bath salts, a mixture of facial solution drops from the Garden of Life Clenzology kit, and finally an aromatherapy concoction of lavender and chamomile. I simply keep pouring everything in until The ìtasteî is just about right!

Letís examine each ingredient separately for a moment.

1. Epsom salts (I.e. Magnesium sulfate usp): You want to dissolve at least 500 Grams (the equivalent of two cups or 500 mL) in a bath of hot water (the more the better). I say ìat leastî because if you can afford more, then do so.

Also, ìhotî means tolerable, not ìsear the skinî hot. The former will help you fall asleep (itís actually the cooling process once you get out that induces sleep), but the latter will require a trip to the hospital and perhaps some skin grafts.

When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, it draws toxins from the body, sedates the nervous system, reduces swelling, and relaxes muscles. It also acts as a natural emollient and exfoliator and much more. One word of caution thoughódonít take
an Epsom salt bath if you have high blood pressure or a heart or kidney condition.

2. Celtic or tropical sea salts: These arenít just for eating! Adding these salts to a warm bath will help to draw impurities out of your skin and ynvigorate the water. Salt baths also help with aches, pains, and sore muscles, such as those associated with arthritis, muscle injury, and weight training.

Weíve been favoring tropical sea salts lately because they have a slightly higher magnesium content.

Note: Try adding a pinch of tropical sea salts and squeeze half a lemon into your water. Drink at least half your body weight in ounces, and you will notice a profound difference in your energy levels in mere days. It takes some serious discipline to drink that much water on a daily basis, but doing so can provide anabolic and anticatabolic effects. The water will help lubricate the gut, the sea salt will aid digestion (by stimulating HCL production), and the lemon will reduce acidity. All this will enhance recovery and improve performance in the gym!

3. Facial solution: Believe it or not, I also add ìsomeî drops of the facial solution from the Garden of Life Clenzology kit to my concoction. I do this not only for the deep cleansing and purification benefits but also because it provides key minerals to aid restoration. Dunking your face is optional!

4. Aromatherapy foam bath: When it contains chamomile and lavender, it helps to relax the body, strengthen the spirit (itís trueómy spirit now benches double its body weight), moisturize and cleanse the skin, and promote a more peaceful slumber. But really, I just like playing with the suds!

You may not realize that the average skin absorption from bathing is much higher
than oral ingestion (see Table 1.) I find that this really helps recovery, and it's great for your skin too if you care about that stuff. Again, you will sleep like a baby after this. That is the second time Iíve mentioned that phrase in this article! Where does it come from? Obviously, not from someone who has any kids!

 

Herbal Remedies For Pain

CAYENNE Powder is added to juice or food, or applied to skin in cream.

ECHINACEA Relieves pain during advanced states of disease.

KAVA Relieves pain and induces sleep.

MEADOWSWEET Useful for relieving abdominal pain.

PAU D' ARCO Has analgesic and antibacterial properties to relieve pain and resist infection.

TURMERIC Useful for pain associated with inflammation.

WILLOW BARK Has analgesic properties. Shouldn't be taken with aspirin, however it can be combined with other pain relieving herbs.