Topical Pain Relievers:
Statistics show chronic pain is now a problem for more people in the United States heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined together. While there are many prescription or over-the-counter drugs available, as well as physical therapy and surgery options, many patients have found relief using natural analgesics. Natural emollients such as shea butter and jojoba seed il are known as great skin softeners and moisturizers, but they are also great at relieving pain when applied as topical creams, Natural emollients – for example, beeswax, shea butter and cottonseed oil – are popular for their skin softening and moisturizing benefits, but they can also be effective when used as analgesic topical creams.
A lot of OTC pain creams and ointments use artificial ingredients like benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, diglycol stearate and petrolatum, which are cheap but rather irritating to the skin. On the other hand, because natural oils penetrate deep through the skin more quickly, they leave a soft and smooth feeling after application.
But of course, what could be a more important benefit to using these natural oils than pain relief? Combining these essential oils with common analgesics such as camphor and menthol, the relief felt is even more pronounced.
Let’s take a more detailed look into the components of natural topical pain creams up natural oils and emollients:
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil, while called an oil, is actually a liquid plant wax that is found in folk medicine for a wide variety of health conditions. Native Americans, in particular, use jojoba oil to treat bruises and sores.
Menthol
Menthol is a naturally occurring substance found in spearmint, peppermint and many other mint plants. We all know it for its soothing cooling sensation that helps relieve irritation and minor pains, including tension headaches.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is used for so many skin conditions because of its anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. In most cases though, it is used for pain and inflammation management and even for treating wounds and burns.
Clove
Every part of the clove plant has been used for centuries to treat pain and infections.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a typical ingredient of many skin care products, thanks to its anti-skin irritation properties, along with its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects.
Camphor
People is commonly used to treat pain as well as to reduce itching. When used topically, it serves as a “counterirritant” by energizing blood flow in the problem area.
Tea Tree Oil
The antiseptic and anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil make it a choice natural treatment for cuts, abrasions and skin allergies.
Hemp Oil
There are virtually endless benefits of hemp oil known today, and research hasn’t stopped to discover even more. The most common of these uses pain, anxiety and nausea relief, better sleep and stronger immunity. The benefits of hemp seed oil are particularly linked to its beneficial Omega 6 to Omega 3 essential fatty acids, which are necessary for skin health.