Try These Topicals for Pain Relief

Daily Health Tips update for August 11:

Think all pain relieving cream and topicals have to smell like menthol? Think again. Mother Nature provides a variety of non-menthol herbs to help deal with pain. The next time you have a sore muscle, try a cream or lotion with these ingredients:

• St. John’s Wort: This herb is a powerful player in pain relief. It may even help repair damaged nerves. A simple salve made from St. John’s Wort buds and flowers infused with olive oil can help relieve back pain.
   
• Cayenne: With capsaicin as its active ingredient, cayenne brings the heat to topical joint and muscle creams. It increases circulation and helps reduce inflammation, but it stings. Use sparingly until you get used to it.
  
• Arnica: This popular homeopathic ingredient helps with aches, bruises and post-surgery healing. Arnica tablets are also common, but creams and topicals often provide results faster.

Source:  The Herb Quarterly