Pain management is the number one reason that people use drugs, both prescription and over the counter. Although there are many drug therapies available for pain relief, they often have a myriad of adverse effects. For instance Vioxx and Celebrex can cause heart disease and have been linked to many deaths. Over the counter medications , such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) has been recalled due to contamination, and more recently, has been linked to dangerous liver toxicity. Here are the startling facts: in one year

Acetaminophen causes:
• 26,000 hospitalizations
• 100,000 calls to poison control centers
• 50,000 emergency room visits
• 450 deaths from liver failure

Acetaminophen interferes with the liver’s ability to do its normal job of detoxification, and reduces the amount of the important antioxidant called glutathione. In addition acetaminophen has been linked to a severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). This condition can happen the first time the drug is ever used, or at any time, even if it has never occurred before after multiple uses. Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can also cause serious skin conditions, which, at times, can be fatal. This information was released by the FDA on August 1, 2013. (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm363041.htm)

The FDA will now require prescription drugs that contain Tylenol to be labeled with a warning about the possibility of this skin reaction and will ‘suggest’ that manufacturers of over the counter products do the same! Rather weak response to a potentially hazardous situation!

Don’t be lulled into believing that just because a drug is readily available over the counter, that it should be used in a flippant manor. Pharmaceutical drugs can be life saving when used appropriately, but often carry risks of illnesses far worse than what the drug was taken for in the first place.

A good option is to consider using natural remedies. That have a very long history of safety, and can really make a difference when dealing with painful conditions, especially if used along with an anti-inflammatory diet, high in vegetables and devoid of junk food, fried food and processed food.

Since pain is such a common human affliction, societies around the globe have experimented with many natural remedies to discover which ones were most useful for this purpose. The first line of defense against pain is to bring down overall inflammation in the body. Avoid ALL junk food, fried food and processed food. In addition , these herbs have been used around the world for thousands of years to decrease pain. Now, science is discovering the mechanism of action that makes them work.

Boswellia: Boswellia (Boswellia seratta) is a gum resin that has a long history of traditional use. It was honored as frankincense, the ‘sacred gift of the Magi’. Modern science has established that boswellia interferes with the inflammatory cascade, and supports joint health. Boswellia supplements are often standardized for 65% boswellic acid.

Turmeric: Turmeric (Curcumin longa) has been revered in cultures around the world for its food value and medicinal properties. Turmeric gives curry powder its characteristic golden color. It is considered “Queen of the Herbs” in Indonesia, and has been used to support health in Ayurvedic Medicine- the ancient medical teaching from India. Modern science has uncovered turmeric’s powerful antioxidant, free radical scavenging, anti-cancer and cell protective effects. Turmeric is often standardized for 95% curcumins.

Ginger: Ginger is a common spice that grows in India, China, Mexico and the Caribbean. The part of the plant used is the rhizome, or underground part of the stem, which has the characteristic spicy aroma of ginger. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years by traditional healers, as well as physicians, to address all kinds of issues that require improved circulation.. Ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, which calms aches and pains.. Try this ‘hot ginger toddy’ for instant relief. Grate about a teaspoon of ginger root ( rhizome) into a cup, or use a Ginger Tea bag. Add hot water, the juice of ½ lemon and a teaspoon of honey. You can also use a ginger compress directly on painful joints.

There are many great products that offer these herbs.

Photo Credits:

• “Boswellia sacra – Köhler–s Medizinal-Pflanzen-022” by Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen – List of Koehler Images. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boswellia_sacra_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-022.jpg#/media/File:Boswellia_sacra_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-022.jpg
• “Curcuma longa roots” by Simon A. Eugster – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Curcuma_longa_roots.jpg#/media/File:Curcuma_longa_roots.jpg