The 10 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers

Muscle spasm is a sudden involuntary contraction of muscles that can cause a great deal of pain. Spasms are common in the abdomen, arms, hands, and feet. You can also feel them in your calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, and along the rib cage. This type of cramping can happen to anyone for a variety of reasons and in many areas of your body.

There are many causes for sore muscles, several due to injury through sports, car accidents, and everyday stress. Stress especially causes the muscles in the neck and shoulders to spasm. Muscle spasms are painful and can impact every day normal activity. A muscle spasm can also occur when muscles are tired, over-used or over-extended. The body can be low in specific minerals; magnesium and calcium in particular.

If you have been injured and are experiencing muscle pain or spasms, a muscle relaxer is your best bet to feel better. There are a handful of natural muscle relaxers available to you, which we believe can be extremely effective and without the risk of side effects or addiction. Many prescription synthetic muscle relaxants come with the risk of side effects and the possibility for addiction. Natural is definitely the way to go when it comes to relaxing your muscles.

Muscle relaxers work by blocking transmission of the pain signals that help in reducing the sensation of pain and relaxing the smooth muscles. The natural muscle relaxers work in the same manner as the commercial products. Let’s take a look at 10 natural muscle relaxers.

1. Chamomile

Chamomile is an ancient herb that’s used to treat a variety of ailments. This is an amazing natural calmer for muscle spasms. It contains 36 flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat muscle pain but also for menstrual problems, tension, headache, anxiety, stress, nerves, etc. The relaxing effect that it gives your body facilitates faster healing of the tissues. You can massage chamomile essential oil onto affected muscles to provide relief from spasms. You can apply the oil by mixing it with carrier oil like coconut oil. You can also make chamomile tea and drink it 2 to 3 times a day which can help relax sore muscles. To make the tea, steep a chamomile tea bag or 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea while it is still warm.

Those taking diabetic medications should take chamomile in moderate quantity after consulting with doctor.

2. Rosemary

It is very common spice in the kitchen for giving taste and aroma to many plates. It has a lot of health benefits, especially for relaxation. You can have a bath by diluting a little bit of rosemary to relieve menstrual cramps or muscle spasms. You can also sprinkle rosemary essential oil on a warm compress and apply to the areas of joint or muscle stiffness, soreness and pain. It actually warms the muscles and allows them to stretch. It promotes blood circulation to support speedy recover. You can add 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary to 1 cup of hot water and then cover and steep for about 10 minutes. You can drink this tea 3 times a day. You can also mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil in 1 tablespoon of warm coconut or olive oil and then use it to massage the affected area a few times daily. Another option is to add 1 teaspoon of rosemary essential oil to a bathtub filled with warm water and soak in the bath for 15 minutes to relieve muscle spasms.

3. Cherry Juice

People who sign up for marathons train vigorously, often causing a lot of stress on their muscles. Cherry juice can help combat the inflammation and muscle pain that is common in runners. Studies reveal that drinking tart cherry juice can minimise post-run pain. Cherry juice is clinically proven to combat inflammation, and its antioxidant properties help to relax muscles naturally. They are also highly beneficial for arthritis and fibromyalgia. Intake of tart cherry juice for 7 days prior to and during a strenuous running event helps reduce post-run muscle pain. It can also heal post-exercise muscle pain.

4. Lavender

Lavender has been used for centuries as both a calming, sleep inducing herb, and to relieve muscle pain. Lavender oil for example is known as one of the most effective natural muscle relaxers. You can use it to massage the area that hurts with circular movements in order to increase blood flow. Another great way to use the herb Lavender is to put Lavender essential oil in a warm bath. The warm water will increase blood flow to the muscles, and the scent will induce a calm relaxed state for sleeping.

5. Blueberries

Another sweet and natural way to relax your muscles is by eating blueberries. A recent study suggests that having a blueberry smoothie before and after exercise can help accelerate recovery from muscle damage. Blueberries have antioxidant powers and have been shown to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation.

6. Cayenne Pepper

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia, cayenne pepper may be just the thing for you. A substance contained within cayenne pepper called “Capsaicin’, is a well-known muscle relaxant and can alleviate some of the pain you may be experiencing from those aforementioned conditions. It increases body heat and strengthens the heart without increasing blood pressure. It can be added to food, like this grilled shrimp with lime cream recipe or you can find cayenne pepper in capsule form and as a cream. When used as a cream, you can apply to areas affected by muscle spasms. You can mix this with olive oil and use it to massage the affected area. You can add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to 2 tablespoons of warn extra-virgin olive oil and then apply the mixture to the affected area. Then leave it on for 30 minutes. You can also gently massage the cream in the affected areas a few times daily until the pain is gone.

Do not apply these remedies on broken or sensitive skin.

7. Vitamin D

People who have regular muscle pain or spasms might be deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements are natural muscle relaxants that help with muscle pain that is noon-specific. Fortunately, there are several methods for taking Vitamin D, including capsules, liquids, and tablets. You can also get it in foods, like eggs, fish, and fortified milk. Getting regular exposure to sunlight is another way to get vitamin D.

8. Magnesium

Magnesium is vital for human nutrition, as it maintains normal muscle and nerve function. Signs of magnesium deficiency include muscle pain, fibromyalgia and leg cramps. By soaking your whole body or even just your feet in Epsom salt, you can increase your internal magnesium levels. In general, healthy magnesium levels from Epsom salt use can help overall bodily inflammation. This mineral is mostly found in foods such as bananas, almonds, legumes, and brown rice. It works best when added to a warm tub and soaked in for 15 minutes or until the waters gets cool. It works by drawing extra fluid build-up in the muscles out. It is that fluid that contributes to the stiffness in the muscles. Magnesium cream for muscle pain is great to rub on shoulders and back to relieve pain. The magnesium is absorbed through the skin for immediate relief of muscle pain. You can fill a bathtub with warm water and then add 2 cups of Epsom salt and stir it thoroughly and then enjoy the soothing bath for at least 15 to 20 minutes once a week.

9. Catnip

Catnip is an herb that facilitates relaxation. It is natural muscle relaxer and muscle pain reliever because it is an antispasmodic and is soothing to the nervous system It has nepetalactone isomers that are natural tranquilizers. You could take catnip as tea to ease hyperactive children before bedtime and relieve menstrual pain. It can also help you with connective tissue and joint swelling. It also relieves headaches caused by tension, cures injuries in soft tissues, among other properties.

10. Peppermint

Another great muscle relaxant is peppermint. It is very effective in treating sore muscles, backaches and headaches. The menthol in peppermint offers analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that help relieve muscle pain and inflammation. It even improves blood circulation which helps reduce pain and spasms. Both the herb and essential oil reduce swelling, relieve pain and eliminate inflammation. You can drink a few cups of peppermint tea daily. To make the tea, steep 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried peppermint leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. You can also prepare massage oil with 2 drops each of peppermint oil and sandalwood oil blended and 1 tablespoon of sweet almond carrier oil. You can then use it to massage the affected area. Alternatively, you can also use pain ointment that contains peppermint.

Originally published at justdoc.com on November 22, 2016.