A heavy exercise, intense workout at the gym or vigorous sport often comes with a high price that we all have to pay – muscle spasms. Soreness in the muscle is a common issue that can be frustrating, cause mild to extreme discomfort and throw a wrench into your schedule. Aching muscles are associated with muscle tension, overuse or injury as a result of pushing yourself too hard or doing exercise, especially unfamiliar ones.
Since severe pain and aches are enough to prevent you from doing routine activities, it is only natural that everyone wants to relieve pain as soon as he or she first feels it, and is looking for an effective remedy that works quickly. While some over-the-counter medicaments can help, many individuals are interested in using muscle relaxants that can reduce pain naturally. Here are the top nine natural muscle relaxers, which can help to provide relief.
Arnica
Arnica is considered a natural muscle relaxer that’s available in the form of oil, ointment or cream. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of this herb can help to decrease pain, extreme inflammation and exercise-related injuries. The thymol found in arnica is an effective vasodilator of subcutaneous blood capillaries, which allows the body to transport blood, activate the flow of white blood cells and help to disperse trapped fluid accumulations to diminish inflammation and promote faster healing.
To alleviate muscle tension, you can simply apply arnica balm or ointment on the affected area a few times every day or gently massage it with a blend of arnica essential oil and other carrier oil.
CBD Oil
No matter whether you are subjected to tight muscles, arthritis, aching joints or body discomfort, using CBD oil for pain can be beneficial. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the major non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis. CBD is proven to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) responsible for crucial processes of the body, including pain, stress, inflammation, memory, sleep. Activating special receptors of ECS allows for many of the health benefits associated with the use of CBD.
CBD products are proven to be helpful in the alleviation of inflammation and pain as well as muscle relaxation. It also helps to reduce anxiety, boost energy levels and improve your sleep as sleep is essential for relieving tight and tense muscles that are usually caused by stress and possible anxiety. What’s more, cannabidiol can be taken in several different ways, including tinctures, capsules, edibles and topicals. To receive its benefits, you can buy CBD oil online or in various health stores, depending on your country.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a commonly used herbal remedy loaded with flavonoids, compounds known for their anti-inflammatory qualities and provide a relaxing and soothing effect on the body. It works as a natural agent to address muscle pain and soreness and helps to facilitate more rapid healing of the muscle tissues.
Massage the affected area with a mix of chamomile essential oil and coconut oil to improve the blood circulation and soothe discomfort or drink chamomile tea daily to relax sore and stiff muscles.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is an active compound naturally found in cayenne pepper. It not only gives its spicy kick but also works as a natural muscle relaxant. Capsaicin is known to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to decrease muscle pain, stiffness and inflammation.
Capsaicin can be added to food or found in capsule form and as a cream and ointment. However, never apply this product on irritated skin.
Cherry Juice
You may not believe it could be that easy, but relaxing your muscles is as easy as drinking fresh fruit juice. Cherries are a rich source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidants compounds, which help to relax muscles naturally. They also can help to combat the inflammation and relieve muscle pain that occurs after an intense workout.
Cherry juice can be purchased in stores or prepared at home.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a widely used home remedy for varying types of muscle pains like backaches, leg pain or sore muscles as well as tension headaches. Peppermint is rich in menthol that has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which can help to relieve swelling, inflammation and muscle pain, enhance blood circulation and lower pain and spasms.
You can purchase peppermint oil in health food stores and online to apply it to the affected area or drink peppermint tea daily. At the same time, peppermint oil is unsuitable for some individuals, including those with problems affecting the liver, bile duct or gallbladder.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a critical mineral for human nutrition, as it helps to sustain nearly all bodily functions, including normal muscle and nerve function. Although it’s rare, the first indicator of magnesium deficiency includes muscle spasms and tension. Magnesium is a very good natural muscle relaxer renowned for its ability to soothe spasming muscle tissue and can also aid in nerve damage.
To replenish the body’s supply in this mineral, you can consume various magnesium-rich food such as bananas, spinach, cashews, almonds, brown rice, black beans and edamame. It’s also available as a supplement online, in health food stores or drug stores.
Curcumin
Cinnamon, turmeric and ginger all are packed with curcumin, an active component that has anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin can be useful in preventing and reducing inflammatory and other types of pain as well as discomfort like muscle soreness after intense exercise. It also can lower a blood marker for muscle damage, which might help with muscle repair.
Taking a curcumin supplement or including ginger, cinnamon or ground turmeric into your daily meals can help relax the muscles.
Vitamin D
Individuals that have regular nerve pain, muscle aches or spasms might also be deficient in vitamin D. This crucial vitamin comes in many formats such as liquids, capsules and tablets. You can also minimise vitamin loss by consuming foods like eggs, fatty fish and fortified milk. Getting outside is another simple yet effective way to receive much-needed vitamin D.
