Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if
they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the
book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each

week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm
water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your
nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively
than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half,
says Stengler.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72
hours, say researchers at California ’s Stanford University . That's because
pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help

speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small
intestine, say USDA researchers.

Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails
each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can
cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ’s
Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s
anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain.
Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest
temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot
area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.

End endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal.
Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow
outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation
into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping
during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long.
Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce
endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s
because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers
inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains
Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University.

Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times
more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can
help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and
even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because
turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2,
an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains
nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing
Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice
daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

Prevent PMS with yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its
uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous
systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone
that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can
slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ’s
Columbia University . “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms
the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in
flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale
University.

Fight tummy troubles with fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your
belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly
to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called
EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and
belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and

other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free
anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire
gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D.,
president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For
best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and
herring.

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries

Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis,
gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries
could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s
painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University . Their
research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their
brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and
aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start
tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds
of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at
Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or
dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.

Erase earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every
year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching
ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections
faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico
School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium,
selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different
pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three
cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes,
strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.,
co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an
optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel
soothing in your ear canal.