Experiencing muscle soreness and tightness at times is expected. While some OTC (over-the-counter) medicines can help, most people are interested in using natural muscle relaxers instead.
There are several possible causes of muscle tightness, reduced range of motion, and pain, including [1]:
- exercise, particularly unfamiliar exercise
- pregnancy
- a backache
- fibromyalgia symptoms
Individuals who wish to avoid synthetic drugs, such as ibuprofen, may find some natural muscle relaxers useful.
Natural Muscle Relaxers
These include the following supplements, foods, and techniques:
1. Turmeric
The active compound present in turmeric is known as curcumin. One of its most potent aspects is its ability to handle inflammation. It’s so potent, in fact, that a journal called Oncogene published a study that compared several anti-inflammatory substances.
The results showed that curcumin was one of the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds globally, while the common painkillers ibuprofen and aspirin were among the least effective. Ground turmeric can be incorporated into your daily meals, or you can purchase a highly potent turmeric supplement [2].
[Read: Benefits of Turmeric]
2. Essential Oils
Many essential oils are effective muscle relaxers and pain relievers. One of the most widely used oils for this purpose is peppermint oil. It’s extremely effective at getting rid of tension headaches and soothing sore muscles.
Other oils beneficial for pain relief include lemongrass oil, which improves circulation, alleviates muscle spasms, and cypress, and frankincense oils. These, too, ease inflammation and tension.
Of course, most essential oils shouldn’t be directly applied to the skin. Be sure to put some drops of your essential oil of preference into a carrier oil, like coconut oil.
3. Protein
Sufficient protein intake after workouts could help minimize muscle inflammation. A review looking at workout-induced muscle damage in women found that supplementing with casein and whey, two kinds of protein minimized muscle damage [3].
Another small research looked at sixteen novice marathon runners. Runners who received a combination of carbohydrate and protein during the race felt less muscle soreness seventy-two hours after the marathon than those who only took carbohydrates.
[Read: Surprising Benefits of Protein Bars]
4. Cannabis Oil
Evidence suggests that cannabinoids may prove useful in pain modulation by inhibiting neuronal transmission in pain pathways, making cannabis oil a smart choice for a natural muscle relaxer.
The oil can relieve chronic pain and inflammation, which is why it’s sometimes used as a natural fibromyalgia treatment. If you use cannabis oil, make sure it’s purchased through a reputable company that sells pure and lab-tested oils.
5. Peppermint
Menthol is an active ingredient in peppermint. Peppermint tea or peppermint oil or can help reduce inflammation, cool your muscles and relax them. Peppermint is believed to have anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, which help relax your muscles and reduce soreness and spasms, and muscle pain [4].
6. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is known to help strengthen muscles and stabilize them and help them function better. Vitamin D deficiency can be the main cause of muscle pain and soreness. The finest technique to get rid of this problem is to go sunbathing or consume some vitamin d pills.
7. Pomegranate juice
Pomegranates contain abundant amounts of polyphenols. The antioxidant potency of their juice is possibly thrice than that of green tea. One research on elite weightlifters found that pomegranate juice can help quicken up muscle recovery.
8. Arnica
Arnica is a common ingredient in oils and creams for reducing bruising. Arnica should only be topically applied because ingesting high doses can be fatal.
While few individuals use arnica as a muscle relaxer, scientists are yet to prove its worth. Some earlier studies on marathon runners observed that the use of arnica might minimize muscle soreness. However, another research cited in the same review found that it did not affect.
9. Magnesium
Magnesium is crucial for human nutrition, as it maintains nerve and normal muscle function. Although it’s rare, early symptoms in individuals who are deficient in this mineral include muscle pain. This mineral is abundantly found in foods such as almonds, bananas, brown rice, and legumes. It’s also available in supplemental form.
10. Rest
Perhaps the most and best natural way to relax your muscles is to rest. Make sure to drink enough fluids, get adequate sleep, and try not to strain the affected muscle. Using ice packs or heat pads on the muscle can provide instant relief.
Sometimes, muscle spasms are due to over-stimulated muscles, and ice can help calm down the brain’s transmission of impulses to the overactive muscle.
[Read: Why proper sleep is Important]
11. Capsaicin
Capsaicin occurs naturally in the fleshy or pith part of chili peppers, and it may provide effective pain relief for patients with fibromyalgia.
Some studies have shown that applying capsaicin to the skin could have a positive impact on muscle soreness.
However, capsaicin may be more suitable as a treatment for nerve pain rather than inflammatory muscle pain. Experts believe that capsaicin minimizes the density of nerve fibers underneath the skin.
Bottom Line
As you can notice, there are various ways to alleviate painful, tense muscles without prescription drugs or NSAIDs. Of course, everyone is different, and the natural muscle relaxers that are most potent for one individual may be different for another.
Besides, this list is by no means complete. With these natural muscle relaxers, create a plan to reduce and eliminate your pain naturally!
