Regular pain is something too many of us deal with, whether it be related to a pulled neck muscle, chronic conditions like hip bursitis, or monthly menstrual cramps. The question is, do you feel comfortable putting pharmaceuticals (with their well-known side effects) into your system on a daily basis? 

We absolutely believe NSAIDs and similar products provide value to users, and advocate for adherence to medical professionals' advice. However, we also believe that plant-based, natural topical ingredients offer powerful anti-inflammatory properties and overall relief with minimal symptoms, making them valuable additions to your regular pain management regimen. 

For centuries, all-natural pain relievers and anti-inflammation solutions like lavender, eucalyptus, and CBD have been used to topically treat everything from nerve pain to arthritis to sunburns. This article provides all the details you need to find natural ingredients that can be used to treat a variety of painful issues without worrying about any negative ramifications. 

CBD

How to use CBD 

A myriad of CBD products awaits those seeking pain relief, ranging from versatile tinctures to soothing topical creams and ointments. For many conditions, topical CBD is preferable because it is swiftly absorbed by the skin without having to go through your digestive system, delivering natural pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits to the specific area you want to target. 

How does this natural topical ingredient work to lessen inflammation and relieve pain? CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors) to influence how your system recognizes pain. In response, you are less “responsive” to pain signaling, also lessening your body’s inflammatory response.

Click here to learn about the pros and cons of using CBD for pain relief

What is CBD good for?

As a natural and reliable healer, CBD is widely employed for a diverse array of concerns, spanning chronic pain, inflammation, headaches, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, neuropathy, or nerve pain, stands as another health issue effectively addressed by CBD. 

Aloe Vera 

How to use aloe vera 

Aloe vera can be applied directly to the skin allowing its natural relieving properties to quickly absorb. You can also consume aloe vera in food, smoothies, and drinks. If you have a sunburn or other wound, apply aloe throughout the day as you feel needed. Best of all, aloe is a common household plant that you can be heavily harvested; simply cut one of the “branches” and rub the residue directly onto the skin.

What is aloe vera good for?

Aloe vera, a medicinal plant with centuries of historical use, boasts a myriad of healing benefits, including improved digestion. Primarily recognized for its topical application, this all-natural pain reliever is commonly associated with healing burns and wounds, while also providing hydration to the affected areas.

Click here to learn more about aloe vera

Arnica 

How to use Arnica

Arnica is a time-tested, all-natural topical pain relief remedy with a global history spanning thousands of years. Apply a thin layer of arnica gel, ointment, or oil to the affected area and gently massage to experience its therapeutic effects.

Take note, while there is such a thing as “arnica cream,” this natural pain-reliever is also found as a secondary ingredient in other plant-based products. Take, for example, our CBD pain relief roller, which combines arnica with CBD, lidocaine, and menthol.  

What is arnica good for?

As a versatile homeopathic remedy, arnica addresses a range of concerns, from joint pain to soothing sore muscles. This natural healer is frequently employed for alleviating post-injury or post-surgery bruising, offering a safe, natural, and effective solution as a topical pain reliever.

Capsaicin 

How to use capsaicin

Capsaicin is available in various forms, including creams, lotions, ointments, and patches. For headaches, consider applying a small amount inside your nostrils or rubbing it on the affected area of your face or head several times a day. When dealing with nerve pain, apply capsaicin to the specific area and allow it to soak in.

Patches—containing higher levels of capsaicin than what’s offered in creams—require a prescription from your doctor and are commonly recommended for conditions such as nerve pain relief.

What is capsaicin good for?

A widely recognized pain reliever, capsaicin interacts with nerve receptors to block pain messages to your nerves. This positions capsaicin as a potent all-natural source of topical nerve pain relief, commonly employed to alleviate neuralgia—a condition characterized by symptoms of shooting or burning pain in the nerves. Additionally, capsaicin finds utility in addressing arthritis as well as various types of muscle sprains and strains.

Turmeric 

How to use turmeric 

Turmeric is readily available in the form of a spice, extract, and supplements providing a multitude of healing benefits. 

When using turmeric in cooking, make sure to combine it with pepper to activate its main healing ingredient. The active component in turmeric that makes it such a powerful healing agent is called curcumin, which is an effective anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. 

When using turmeric for inflammation and pain relief, the typical dose is between 400 and 600 mg, three times a day. 

What is turmeric good for?

With antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric also contains natural medicinal properties that have been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other debilitating diseases.  

Regular use of turmeric has been used for centuries across the world for arthritis pain, digestive disorders, and respiratory infections. Its all-natural healing properties are also used to alleviate allergies and help with depression. Turmeric is one of nature's treasures. 

Click here to learn more about tumeric

Fish Oil 

How to use fish oil 

The benefits of fish oil can be obtained from eating specific types of fish like herring, mackerel, and tuna, but should also be supplemented by taking supplements. Your body does not naturally produce omega-3 fatty acids (aka the healing ingredient in fish oil) so this nutrient must be obtained through diet and supplementation.

The specifications for taking omega-3 fatty acids are generally 1,100 milligrams for women and 1,600 milligrams for men. Make sure to check the label when buying fish oil to determine your supplements are free from mercury. 

What is fish oil good for? 

The anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oil can help reduce chronic and acute inflammation, along with pain. By increasing the levels of omega-3s in cell membranes, your body’s inflammatory response is decreased, which can help with various diseases, fatigue, and pain issues.

Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your daily regimen can also help ease joint pain caused by arthritis and other physical issues like psoriasis.   

Click here to learn about fish oil

Valerian root 

How to use valerian root

Valerian root is taken in pill form or brewed as a tea for sleep, anxiety, and pain use. If you are dealing with insomnia, take 300 to 600 milligrams of valerian root 30 minutes to two hours before you get in bed at night. For tea, soak 2 to 3 grams of herbal valerian root in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. 

For anxiety, take a lower dosage, 120 to 200 milligrams of valerian root up to 3 times per day. Research shows that valerian root works best after taking it regularly for two or more weeks. 

What is valerian root good for?

Valerian root produces a calming effect on the body, which is why this natural remedy is often used for anxiety and insomnia. Used as a natural supplement for a variety of sleep issues, valerian root can help you fall asleep faster and improve your quality of sleep. When it comes to pain, anything that promotes sleep will also help your body have a chance to heal.

Not only does valerian root have a calming effect on your nervous system, but it can also reduce pain from headaches and menstrual pain.

Lavender 

How to use lavender 

Lavender oil is safe to put directly on your skin, however, it is a good idea to dilute most essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil to avoid any skin irritation. By applying lavender oil or lotion to a painful area of your body, you can experience natural topical pain relief without negative side effects. Our preferred way to introduce lavender oil topically is through our luxury lavender CBD bath bombs.

Another option for using lavender is taking it by mouth, including teas and specific oil supplements, or inhaling lavender oil as aromatherapy, which can be helpful for overall relaxation and mood enhancement. 

What is lavender good for?

Well known for its aromatherapy benefits, lavender is a star when it comes to its calming scent. A lesser-known fact is that lavender oil can be used for natural topical pain relief. With powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic (aka pain relieving) properties, lavender can be used to ease muscle and joint pain, menstrual cramps, sunburns, and even bug bites. 

The scent of lavender is helpful for calming headaches while applying a diluted application of lavender oil directly on your skin can offer pain-relieving properties. Using lavender oil via aromatherapy and directly on the skin can be useful for painful issues such as menstrual cramps. 

Eucalyptus 

How to use eucalyptus

Diluting eucalyptus essential oil in a carrier oil (like coconut oil) and applying it to your skin can offer relief from common aches and pains. From joint pain to muscle aches or strains, applying eucalyptus oil topically can relieve pain like strains or sprains, muscle aches, or arthritis. 

Interesting fact… studies have shown inhaling the scent of eucalyptus oil can also aid in pain reduction. 

What is eucalyptus good for?

There are at least a dozen therapeutic uses for eucalyptus, from pain relief to relaxation, even reducing cold symptoms and treating insect bites. Widely recognized as a potent natural topical pain reliever for muscle and joint pain, eucalyptus lotion or oil is a popular choice. Its cooling effect adds a soothing touch to painful muscles and joints. Like lavender, eucalyptus can be incorporated in all-natural CBD bath bombs for the ultimate head-to-toe relief. 

An overlooked bonus tip: Meditation 

How to use meditation

The positive effects of meditation range from impacting blood flow and brain wave activity to nervous system function, making it obvious why it is a good addition to anyone’s daily routine. There are many different methods of meditation such as body scanning, breathwork, and visualization which can all be done on your own or in a guided manner. Here is a resource with details on each method. 

What is meditation good for?

In addition to providing mental clarity and reducing anxiety, meditation can also help you deal with pain. Meditation impacts neural pathways in your brain making you you less sensitive to pain while increasing natural pain-reducing opioids.

Studies have shown that regular meditation can help you heal from surgery, chronic physical conditions, and illnesses. Fibromyalgia, migraines, multiple sclerosis, and arthritis are all health issues that can benefit from daily meditation. 

For more tips, read Ideas for Incorporating CBD Into Your Meditation.

Finding the Right All-Natural Pain Relief

In short, there are a number of all natural topical pain relief and anti-inflammation solutions to explore, from CBD and aloe vera to arnica, capsaicin, turmeric, fish oil, valerian root, lavender, and eucalyptus. These time-tested remedies offer diverse applications, addressing issues such as muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, headaches, and inflammation. By incorporating these natural alternatives into your routine, you can potentially find effective relief with minimal side effects, contributing to a holistic approach to well-being.

By Emily Wegener

With a unique background as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Masters Degree in Teaching and experience in Psychology, Emily spends much of her time researching and trying out new holistic healing modalities.