Certain foods can prevent perception of pain. This has been disclosed by recent researches on two common food compounds that can obstruct the perception of pain. One of these food compounds is caffeine. It has been recently discovered to be a mild painkiller, besides its common use in combination with other analgesic drugs. The other food compound is capsaicin, the hot chemical in chilli peppers.
This is now being widely tested as a potential painkiller. For years people have put hot pepper extract on their gums to alleviate toothache. Now it is known that capsaicin in peppers serves as a local anesthetic and a promising new painkiller. Capsaicin suppresses pain by draining nerve cells of something called substance P, which relays pain sensations to the central nervous system. Thus, capsaicin helps block the perception of pain. Recently, the hot pepper essence has been injected or made into medications to help several diseases characterised by pain.
FOODS THAT RELIEVE PAIN
Asafoetida, Bishop’s Weed, Clove, Ginger, Liquorice, Margosa, Mustard Seeds, Nutmeg, Onion and Poppy Seeds.
Asafoetida
This popular spice is a painkilling food. It is especially useful in relieving toothache. Asafoetida should be pestled in lemon juice and slightly heated. A cotton piece, soaked in this lotion should be placed in the cavity of the affected tooth. It will relieve pain quickly.
Bishop’s Weed
Bishop’s weed possesses pain-killing property. It is especially beneficial in treating earache. About half a teaspoon of the seeds should be heated in 30 ml of milk till the essence of the seeds permeate the milk. The milk is then filtered and used as ear drops. It decreases congestion and relieves pain.The oil extracted from the seeds is an effective remedy for treatment of rheumatic and neuralgic pains. It should be applied on the affected parts.
Clove
This popular spice is a valuable painkilling food. It can be used beneficially in relieving pain in case of toothache. It helps decrease infection due to its antiseptic property. Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also relieves toothache. A clove sauted in a teaspoon of sesame oil and 3 to 5 drops of this warm oil put into the ear can cure earache. Muscular cramps are often relieved when the oil of clove is applied as a poultice on the affected part. A paste of clove and salt crystals in milk is a common household remedy for headaches. Salt, as a hygroscopic agent, absorbs fluid and decreases tension.
Ginger
Ginger is an excellent painkiller. It can cure all types of pain. In headache, an ointment made from ginger, by rubbing dry ginger with a little water affords relief. This ointment should be applied to the forehead. It relieves toothache when applied to the face. In case of earache, a few drops of ginger juice instilled in the affected ear will give relief.
Liquorice
This well-known spice possesses pain killing property. It has been found especially helpful in muscular pains. An infusion should be prepared by soaking the dry roots overnight in water. This infusion should be given to the patients suffering from muscular pains. It is also very useful in chronic joint problems. It serves as cortisone in treating these conditions.
Margosa
The leaves of this popular tree are a pain killing food. Steam fomentation with neem decoction provides immediate comfort in cases of earache. A handful of leaves should be boiled in a litre of water and the ear fomented with the steam thus produced. The juice of neem leaves, mixed with an equal quantity of pure honey, is an effective remedy for boils in the ear. The juice should be warmed a little and a few drops instilled in the ear. Regular application for a few days will provide relief.
Mustard Seeds
Mustard is a pain killing food and a rubefacient. Its plaster or paste made with water is applied as an analgesic in rheumatism, sciatica, paralysis of limbs and other muscular pains. The plaster should, however, never be directly applied to the skin as it may cause painful blistering. A layer of linen material should be put between the mustard pastie and the skin.
Nutmeg
This spice is of great value as a pain killing food. A nutmeg coarsely powdered and fried in til oil until all the particles become brown, is very useful as an external application to relieve rheumatic pains, neuralgia and sciatica. The oil should be cooled and strained before application.
Onion
Onion is a valuable medicine tor suppressing pain resulting from piles. Onion possesses pain killing property. It is beneficial in the treatment of pain in eye. The juice of onion and honey should be mixed in equal quantity and stored in a bottle. This mixture should be applied to the eyes by means of an eye-rod. It will provide relief in a short time.
Occasionally, blind piles swell up and cause tortuous pain to the patient. It becomes extremely difficult for the patient even to sit. For treating this condition, two onions should be half-baked by burying them in live ash. They should then be thoroughly pounded into a paste after removing their outer covering. This paste should be fried in ghee and a tablet prepared from it. This tablet should be placed over the piles while hot. It should be retained there in position by applying a suitable dressing. The patient will feel comfort immediately after this application.
Poppy seeds
Poppy seeds on the stalks, which have not been slit to produce opium have sedative properties and are used for relieving pain. They can be used beneficially in griping pains after childbirth, colic and pain in the testicles. Opium is useful in rheumatism, tumours of different kinds, cancers, carbuncles, abscesses, ulcers, leprosy, syphilis or scrofula, a disease characterised by tuberculosis of the lymph node in which pain causes sleeplessness, especially at night. The commencing dose is 6 centigrams of the extract.
If it is insufficient, upto 18 centigrams may be advised to those who are unaccustomed to opium. Beyond this, it is unsafe to go without any professional advice. This may be combined with 12 or 18 centigrams of camphor. Opium is very effective in spasms of bowels. It is also useful in relieving pain and irritation of the bladder caused by stone.
Opium is useful as a liniment for soothing, both muscular and neuralgic pains. The liniment can be prepared by mixing 90 centigrams of opium in 15 grams of coconut oil. It even soothes painful piles. In painful teeth cavities, a centigram of opium is put into the hollow of the tooth. Care should, however, be taken not to swallow the saliva.