Natural Remedies to Help with Pain During Long Term Travel

I couldn’t believe her when she said her actual age. And you won’t either. She really does look much younger than her age. Don’t we all want it? Ciki is an experienced traveler and obviously she knows how to stay healthy on the road. Now she’s finally sharing her secrets through her new blog Cikipedia. When I was in Korea we used to talk in the morning on my way to work, which was 5am for her, on her way to morning running routine. Let’s hear Ciki’s tips to help us during the long-term travel.

Natural Remedies to Help with Pain During Long Term Travel

Long term travel is something many dream about. Burning the suit, donating the briefcase, telling your boss just what he can do with his manuscript and then taking off to explore the world.. ah, the stuff that dreams are made of!

Once on the road however, things may not be as easy as one thinks. Being always on the go, the stress of the unknown, constantly changing accommodations and being subject to different sleeping conditions, can make a traveler prone to aches and pains. Old illnesses or injuries might flare up again due to the stress of travels and all of a sudden you might have to deal with arthritis, shingles, or even neuropathy when they rear their ugly head.

So what about popping some pain killers then? Well, the truth is, you’re in pain, and Naproxen just won’t cut it. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, don’t agree with your stomach, and you’re wary of stronger medication. Fortunately, you have alternatives, and they happen to be natural ones.

CHERRY JUICE

This tiny, power packed, red fruit is one of a class of superfoods, and is packed with chemicals called anthocyanins, which soothe inflammation. Drinking cherry juice daily for one week before a race has also been shown to stifle runners’ post-marathon pain. Tart cherries also help reduce muscle damage, help in to promote faster muscle recovery, and reduce pain, according to new research published in the American College of Sports Medicine’s journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. In a study at Michigan State University, the anthocyanins in cherries were found to be equivalent to two common over-the-counter painkillers(NSAIDs) for inhibiting the COX-2 enzymes associated with inflammation. Eating cherries regularly will help in the long run to alleviate pain caused by muscle inflammation.

CAPSAICIN

Capsaicin is great for pain due to arthritis, shingles, or neuropathy. An active component of chile pepper, capsaicin temporarily desensitizes pain-prone skin nerve receptors called C-fibers. As the nerves recover, soreness is diminished for 3 to 5 weeks while they regain sensation. Nearly 40 percent of arthritis patients reduced their pain by half after using a topical capsaicin cream for a month, and 60 percent of neuropathy patients achieved the same after 2 months, according to a University of Oxford study. Patients at the New England Center for Headache decreased their migraine and cluster headache intensity after applying capsaicin cream inside their nostrils. Capsaicin ointments and creams are sold in pharmacies and health stores. For arthritis or neuropathy, try 0.025 percent to 0.075 percent capsaicin cream one to four times daily; best results can take up to 2 weeks.

MUSHROOM EXTRACT

Cordyceps Mushrooms, i.e. Cordyceps sinensis is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years. While Chinese herbal doctors have used Cordyceps to promote vitality and sexual vigor, recent studies have shown numerous other health benefits. Cordyceps are known to increase blood flow and reduce lactic-acid buildup in muscles. As a result, Cordyceps have been used to enhance athletic performance, staving off muscle fatigue and improving recovery time.

FISH OILS

Fish oils contain prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation. In one study, 40 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients who took cod-liver oil every day were able to cut their NSAID use by more than a third, Scottish scientists recently reported. People with neck and back pain have fared even better: After about 10 weeks, nearly two-thirds were able to stop taking NSAIDs altogether in a University of Pittsburgh study.
Taking 1,000 mg daily is good for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, but you should up the dose for pain. For osteoarthritis, go with 2,000 to 4,000 mg daily; for rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases associated with joint pain (such as lupus), consider a much higher dose of upwards of 8,000 mg daily. Always consult your doctor regarding using higher than standard doses.

EPSOM SALTS

Magnesium, the primary component of epsom salts, is essential for healthy muscles and is a gentle natural muscle relaxant. The salts, when added to a warm bath or compress, are absorbed by the skin and are actually more effective this way than by taking an oral magnesium supplement. But then do you really need a reason to go take a nice, hot bath right? Oh, and here’s a bonus.. the next time you take a bath in Epsom salt, throw in a few tablespoons yellow mustard too. The mustard will enhance the soothing effects of the Epsom salt and also help to relax stiff, sore muscles.

ARNICA

This herb has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Taking oral homeopathic arnica reduces surgery-related knee swelling. Using homeopathic arnica as an adjunct to ice, herbs, or conventional pain medication actually helps to improve symptoms faster. Rub arnica ointment on bruises or strained muscles, or take it in the form of three lactose pellets under the tongue up to six times per day. You can get this at most pharmacies.

About the GuestWriter:

Cikipedia is about Ciki, a 30-something pharmacist, who looks like a 20-something (Don’t believe us? Ask her friends!) Though she studied conventional medicine, she has a keen interest in alternative forms of treatment and medication that she believes are essential to the well-being of the human body. We cannot reverse time, but we sure as hell can slow down the aging process! Cikipedia is a health, fitness and travel blog. Follow this blog and learn Ciki’s personal routines on how she stays fit, energetic and young at heart. Follow her on Twitter too!