By: Kathryn Powell, PA-C
I have ten alternatives to discuss to Ibuprofen that are safer and have less side effects!
Advil, Ibuprofen, and Motrin are the same anti-inflammatory medication. I used to pop these pills like candy when I was younger. I would also use it monthly for menstrual cramps and for occasional headaches throughout my 20's and early 30's. I used it when I felt sick. I gave it to my kids if they were teething or had a cold to make them feel more comfortable on a routine basis. It was truly magic.
I never thought about it causing any harm. Never. I mean, what else was I supposed to give them? Tylenol? That never did anything.
Do you think this way? Are we taught as a culture to think this way? If you have pain, just take a pill. It magically goes away so we can push our bodies throughout the rest of the day. What if you have asthma or another lung disease or allergic to Ibuprofen?
What does your doctor recommend? Why?
Have you ever thought about what else you could take to support your body that can have the same anti-inflammatory effects but not as damaging on your kidneys? Motrin is notorious for causing stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and kidney damage. Tylenol depletes the body of glutathione, which is the number one anti-oxidant in your body to help keep your body healthy. Tylenol is one of the top causes of liver damage.
Let's explore other options...keep in mind, this is not medical advice - only educational. Always talk with your provider about supplements - especially if you are pregnant, nursing, on blood thinning medications, or with your little ones. I also encourage you to do your own research.
Ginger: Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale, is a flowering plant that is closely related to turmeric and cardamom. Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It actually can PREVENT kidney disease. It protects AGAINST stomach ulcers. It EASES menstrual pain. It helps relieve joint and muscle pain. You can take it in capsule form, you can eat fresh ginger everyday in smoothies or in food, you can blend up ginger, strain it and add some lemon juice and honey and drink it! An easy way to consume ginger is by taking ginger capsules, I love these .
More information: https://rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/ginger.html
Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. Ginger--an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. J Med Food. 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2005.8.125. PMID: 16117603.
Anh NH, Kim SJ, Long NP, Min JE, Yoon YC, Lee EG, Kim M, Kim TJ, Yang YY, Son EY, Yoon SJ, Diem NC, Kim HM, Kwon SW. Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 6;12(1):157. doi: 10.3390/nu12010157. PMID: 31935866; PMCID: PMC7019938.
2. Turmeric: Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant, which grows in India and other Southeast Asian countries. It is a member of the ginger family.
Arguably, the most powerful aspect of curcumin is its ability to control inflammation. I like to take these turmeric capsules.
More information: https://rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/turmeric.html
Chandran B, Goel A. A randomized, pilot study to assess the efficacy and safety of curcumin in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Phytother Res. 2012 Nov;26(11):1719-25. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4639. Epub 2012 Mar 9. PMID: 22407780.
Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. J Med Food. 2016 Aug;19(8):717-29. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2016.3705. PMID: 27533649; PMCID: PMC5003001.
Takada Y, Bhardwaj A, Potdar P, Aggarwal BB. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents differ in their ability to suppress NF-kappaB activation, inhibition of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclin D1, and abrogation of tumor cell proliferation. Oncogene. 2004 Dec 9;23(57):9247-58. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1208169. PMID: 15489888.
3. Pain Potion Tincture: Blend of Turmeric root, Meadowsweet, Dandelion, Mullein, and Peppermint. You can get relief from occasional tension headaches and migraines to other body and muscle aches. For ages 6 and older.
Meadowsweet: multi-use herb, anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve pain and fevers.
Dandelion Root: antioxidant properties, promotes healthy blood sugar levels.
Mullein Leaf: anti-bacterial properties, relaxes muscles, soothes related pain.
Peppermint Leaf: promotes liver and lung health, making it easier for your body to absorb and use the natural relief in this tincture. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362857/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103722/
Turmeric Root: reduces inflammation, helps reduce pain related to arthritis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/
4. Magic Muscle Ease: Combines Arnica and magnesium in a cream to rub on sore muscles. Magnesium is well known to relax sore muscles! Arnica is an herb that has been used forever for pain and bruising. The mint version is NOT safe for pregnancy (wintergreen), and may not be safe for nursing (peppermint) if you are especially sensitive to mint. Mint version: ages 10+. Unscented: ages 1+. Citrus: ages 1+, but may cause photosensitivity, so avoid excessive sun exposure for 18 hours after using.
5. Pain Relief Rub: Combines Yarrow, CBD, and St John's Wort , Rosemary, and Ginger - ALL herbs that help reduce inflammation! Safe for ages one year and older.
6. Teeth Tamer: Tincture that has whole cloves and catnip. This tincture is a much safer alternative to Motrin and Tylenol for your babes who are teething! Cloves have been used FOREVER to help with oral pain. Safe for ages 4 months and older.
Cloves: anti-bacterial, good for pain or inflammation, promotes overall wellness. Clove essential oil is potentially harmful to infants because of its high concentration. Earthley Wellness uses whole cloves, which are gentle and safe. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16530911/ and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074903/
Catnip: calming, anti-bacterial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385634/
7. Tension Relief Essential Roller: Use the power of essential oils like Helichrysum Essential Oil, Copaiba Essential Oil, Ginger Essential Oil, Cardamom Essential Oil, and Clove Essential Oil. All of these oils are powerful anti inflammatory! Rub on temples for a headache or any body part that is sore! Safe for ages six years+. Caution while nursing (do not use around nursing babies; it is safe for mama and will not affect milk supply, but baby should not breathe cardamom EO under 6 months).
8. Anti-inflammatory Tincture: Use of many herbs that can help reduce a fever and help relieve pain/inflammation! Organic Cinnamon, Ginger, Orange peel, Motherwort, and Echinacea. Safe for ages 2 years and older.
Cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as blood pressure regulator.
Ginger can protect your gut health and fortify your gastrointestinal system.
Orange Peel along with having anti-inflammation properties, is a potent antioxidant.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556677/
Motherwort helps modulate inflammation and can help in pain relief.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23042598
Echinacea helps with pain relief, while also boosting the immune system.
9. ICE! Ice is powerful anti inflammatory, and ice bath can do wonders!
10. Arnica Homepathy: Homeopathy, as an alternative branch of medicine, has been steadily growing worldwide. Arnica oil has been used in cases of bruises and inflammation for pain management and healing of wounds.
Thakur JH, Katre AN. Comparison of the Efficacy of Homeopathic Drug Arnica and Ibuprofen on Postextraction Pain in Children: A Triple-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):332-337.
Are you shocked??
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Last updated January 01, 2023
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