Muscle pain can be incredibly challenging to manage and treat. Whether caused by injury, lifestyle, health conditions, or medications, muscle pain can keep us down and inactive. Often, muscle pain results from spasms, tightened muscles or circulatory conditions. There are many prescription medications that can treat muscle pain. Unfortunately many of them carry sedative qualities and can make everyday activities difficult. Further, aside from a literal state of over relaxation, there are other side effects that can be associated with these medications.
Home care techniques can be very useful in treating muscle pain. Cold therapy, heat therapy, physical therapy and dietary and lifestyle changes can all help keep muscle pain at bay. In addition, there are many natural compounds found in plants grown all around the world that may also hold a key to quelling muscle pain. Many of them can be brewed into a tea for muscle pain for soothing and comforting relief. By combining powerful herbs that bear antispasmodic and analgesic properties as well as those that boast circulatory benefits into herbal tea recipes, relief can be had naturally with a reduced risk of side effects.
We compiled a list of the best five herbs to include in a tea for muscle pain. Before trying natural herbal remedies one should consult a health care provider. While generally safe for use in healthy people, there are side effects associated with some natural herbs. These side effects can be exacerbated in individuals taking certain medications and those with certain health conditions. Check with a doctor before trying any of the herbs on our top five list and get started on your way to healthy and nutrient packed relief for sore and painful muscles.
1. Kava Root
Kava root has been used medicinally for a very long time, though this herb is well known in the areas that it is indigenous to. While it has several medicinal benefits, its role in relaxing the muscles is what its best known for. Kava root is thought to act upon GABA receptors, which can lessen the amount of signals traveling to the brain. Alongside the herb’s obvious benefits in a tea for muscle pain and spasms, kava kava is also thought to have anti anxiety effects.
2. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh has long been celebrated as an herbal remedy for discomfort associated with menstruation. While that may seem unrelated to muscle pain, the herb is actually much more intimately linked than most might imaging. Muscle cramping can be a big contributing factor to menstrual discomfort, and black cohosh is thought to provide these pain relieving benefits to both organ and skeletal muscles. This is an all around excellent choice in a tea for muscle pain, and can provide additional pain relief benefits for conditions like whiplash and eyestrain.
3. Wood Betony
For sore muscles and those that are painful from over exertion and tension, wood betony is an ideal herbal remedy. The herb is used in massages and prior to acupuncture in order to loosen up and relax tight and tense muscles. Cramping and discomfort can persist in cases of muscle strains, sprains and overuse and this is where wood betony really shines. It can be used in a tea for muscle pain, and works well alongside exercises for muscle relaxation like stretching and yoga.
4. California Poppy
The bright and vibrant flowers of the California poppy demand attention for their appearance, but their antispasmodic and muscle relaxant properties are worth noting as well. Known as a sedative and remedy for anxiety, the California poppy can relax and soothe the entire body, a property furthered by the act of drinking a hot cup of tea. Because of its sedative nature, California poppy is best enjoyed in a tea for muscle pain before bed and when driving and other attention requiring activities are not on the horizon.
5. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is an odd herbal remedy, not because it falls flat in terms of effectiveness, in fact, just the opposite. Nutmeg has actually been used as the active ingredient in some over the counter medications for cough and cold relief and also makes an appearance in some topical treatments for pain relief. Many people don’t know how widely valued nutmeg is for its medicinal uses and consider it an excellent choice for use in a tea for muscle pain due to its natural analgesic and muscle relaxing properties. Nutmeg also carries the distinction of being easily added to a wide variety of herbal tea recipes thanks to its familiar and delicious flavor.
