The Best Natural Muscle Relaxers

#1

Tight muscles can be caused by many different factors, including injury and stress. When muscles are tight, it makes your daily life difficult and painful. While there are several pharmaceutical muscle relaxants, like Valium or Soma, you can also look to natural home remedies to treat this problem.

There is a long list of natural treatments to change the muscle pain that is bothering you. The good thing is that they have barely any side effects, making them much safer than medications, although it is true that their effectiveness takes a little bit longer. If you want quality and leaving your pain behind, then you should add these medicinal herbs to your every day life.

#2 Chamomile

Chamomile is an ancient herb that’s used to treat a variety of ailments, including muscle spasms. It contains 36 flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. You can massage chamomile essential oil onto affected muscles to provide relief from spasms. Chamomile tea can also help relax sore muscles.

#3 Arnica Oil

Applied to the skin in the form of an oil, cream, ointment, liniment or salve, arnica oil is a potent remedy for various inflammatory and exercise-related injuries. The positive effects of topically applying arnica have proved to be effective in reducing pain, indicators of inflammation and muscle damage.

The thymol found in arnica has been found to be an effective vasodilator of subcutaneous blood capillaries, which helps facilitate the transport of blood and other fluid accumulations and acts as an anti-inflammatory to aid the normal healing processes. Arnica oil also stimulates the flow of white blood cells, which process congested blood to help disperse trapped fluid from the muscles, joints and bruised tissue.

#4 Tart Cherries

Being rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, tart cherries have a positive effect on muscle pain. As they help relax muscles naturally, they are highly beneficial for people suffering from muscle pain, arthritis or fibromyalgia.

A 2010 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition reports that intake of tart cherry juice for 7 days prior to and during a strenuous running event helps reduce post-run muscle pain.

Another 2010 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports notes that tart cherries can help prevent post-exercise muscle pain.

Drink a cup of tart cherry juice to reduce muscle inflammation and soreness. Also, try to include a cup of tart cherries in your daily diet to prevent muscle pain.

#5 Peppermint

Known for its analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties, peppermint may be effective for relieving the symptoms of muscle spasms. The menthol component may relieve pain and inflammation, and help to maintain good blood circulation, the cause of many cases of muscle tension. Use peppermint for tension headaches, an aching back, sore muscle, and leg pain.

Enjoy peppermint tea with one teaspoon of fresh or dried peppermint leaves steeped in hot water. You can also use a topical application of peppermint essential oil, ensuring to mix with a carrier oil. Never use peppermint oil alone or take orally. Use two drops of peppermint essential oil and sandalwood oil mixed with one tablespoon of sweet almond carrier oil directly on the affected area.

#6

#7 Radish

It’s spicy variant has been used since old times to relieve muscle tension, that also includes cramps and pain. You will need to buy or make a radish essential oil and mix with hot water for a bath or do massages with it.

#8 Epsom Salt

Epsom salt natural increases the body’s magnesium levels. Magnesium is an important nutrient when it comes to preventing pain. Epsom salt also contains properties that stabilize the body’s inflammatory response. When you soak in an Epsom salt bath, magnesium enters your body through your skin.

To take an Epsom salt bath, fill the tub with very warm water. Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt while the water is running to help it dissolve. Soak for at least 10 minutes and relax.

#9 Blueberry smoothies

Get the benefits of this powerful berry in a delicious smoothie. According to a May 2012 study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, drinking a blueberry smoothie before and after exercise can speed up the recovery of muscles after they’ve been damaged. Blueberries have plenty of antioxidant powers and have been shown to lower stress, inflammation, and what’s called exercise-induced muscle damage, or EIMD. That’s good news for the sporting community and aging seniors.

#10 Kava Root

Kava Root is also probably among the most popularly used herbal muscle relaxers today. The natural herb, although commonly used to alleviate or manage a variety of pain episodes, including toothaches and muscle cramping can also be used to treat depression.

Kava Root which is a beneficial herb commonly used for its powerful relaxing effects is especially helpful during extreme muscle pain. Some common side effects attributed to using the herbal remedy include skin discoloration, dizziness and headaches.

#11 Rosemary

Another useful herb that has marvelous health effects on the body, rosemary helps to reduce inflammation in muscle tissue while minimizing pain and soreness.

The herb works to increase blood circulation activity and also has intensive anti-inflammatory qualities. You can use rosemary both to ease headaches and soothe muscle pain and soreness. The herb has been known to can help with arthritis and rheumatism as well.

To use rosemary, you may choose several methods. First of all, you can drink rosemary as a tea. Add 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary to a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink 2-3 times a day.