Muscle pain is a common ailment that can affect your daily routine. It may be mild or severe, completely debilitating you and preventing you from performing your daily activities. The cause of muscle pain can be overwork, stress, dehydration or muscle injury and fatigue. Chronic muscle pain can be due to underlying disease conditions and vitamin or mineral deficiency. Various home remedies are available for muscle pain. Try these home remedies before you consult a physician.

Home Remedies for Muscle Pain

Massage

Massaging the affected area improves the blood supply of the affected muscles, thereby, reducing pain and inflammation. Massaging using essential oils is more effective. You can use peppermint oil, marjoram oil, roman chamomile oil, basil oil and lavender oil.  

Rest

Taking proper rest ensures quick healing of your muscles. When you have muscle pain make sure you sleep well, drink lots of water and not stress your affected muscles by performing labor intensive activities. 

Cold therapy

Cold therapy constricts the blood vessels in the affected area, reducing pain and inflammation. Place a few ice cubes in a thin towel and wrap it. Place it on the affected area for 15 minutes. Repeat several times during the first 24 hours of onset of pain.

Heat therapy

Heat therapy also provides pain relief but you should apply heat only after the first 24 hours of the onset of pain. Fill your bath tub with warm water and soak the affected part of the body in it for 20 minutes. The hot water bath will reduce stiffness and soreness in your muscles. You can also add Epsom salt to the warm water. Epsom salt is an effective remedy for muscle pain. Epsom salt baths are not recommended for people suffering from diabetes or heart problems.  

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the effective home remedies for muscle pain. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. You can either consume turmeric orally or use it topically. Mix turmeric with warm milk. Drinking this preparation will help you heal internally. For topical application, mix turmeric with lemon juice and salt. Apply the mixture on the affected area and rinse it with warm water after 30 minutes. You should repeat this twice everyday for relief from pain and inflammation. 

Tart cherry

Tart cherry contains compounds that have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is effective for preventing muscle pain after work outs. It reduces pain and inflammation in the muscles. You should eat about one and a half cup of tart cherry after your work out to prevent muscle pain. You can also drink sugarless tart cherry juice for relief.

Ginger

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and improves blood flow in the affected area. Take two tablespoons of grated ginger in a cotton cloth or cotton bag and place it in hot water for a minute. Place the warm ginger compress on the affected area for 15 minutes. You can repeat the procedure several times in a day for effective results. Another way of using ginger for pain relief is by consuming it in the form of tea. Boil a small piece of ginger in two cups of water. Strain it and add a little honey. Drinking 3 cups of ginger tea a day will provide effective pain relief. 

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is also one of the effective home remedies for muscle pain. It has anti-inflammatory and alkalizing properties that are ideal for relief from pain and inflammation. Fill a tub with warm water and add two cups of apple cider vinegar. Soak in the tub for 15 -20 minutes for pain relief. You can repeat every day until your muscles heal. You can also consume apple cider vinegar orally by mixing one table spoon of apple cider vinegar with honey and warm water. You will get effective symptom relief if you consume this preparation once every day.  

Chamomile 

Chamomile is very efficient in treating muscle spasms. The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile are attributed to compounds called flavonoids. Chamomile has been found to contain 36 flavanoids. Massaging with chamomile essential oil provides relief from muscle spasms. You can also consume chamomile tea to heal internally and to help your muscles relax.

Black strap molasses

Black strap molasses contains magnesium, which provides relief from muscle pain. You can add 1 table spoon of black strap molasses to your morning cup of coffee to relieve your chronic muscle pain.

Mustard oil

Mustard oil is very effective in relieving muscle pain. It is more beneficial when mixed with garlic. Add 10 chopped garlic cloves to 4 tablespoons of mustard oil and warm the mixture until the garlic cloves turn golden in color. Add a small amount of camphor to it. Strain this preparation after it cools down. Apply it on the affected area several times a day for pain relief. 

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is among the effective home remedies for muscle pain. Capsaicin in cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties and provides pain relief in arthritis, joint and muscle pain apart from relieving muscle soreness. Make a preparation by warming 5 tablespoons of cayenne pepper powder mixed with half a cup of coconut oil. Let it stay for 24 hours and then strain the oil. Massage the oil preparation on the affected area 2-3 times a day. Repeat it every day until your muscle heals.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency can cause frequent muscle pain and spasm. You can take vitamin D supplements in the form of capsules and tablets. You can also consume foods rich in vitamin D such as fish, eggs and fortified milk. Regular exposure to sunlight will also ensure that you get enough vitamin D.

Rosemary

Rosemary reduces inflammation and pain in the affected muscles. Both fresh and dried rosemary is effective in. Take 3 ounces of dried rosemary leaves and boil it in 8 cups of water. Remove the preparation from heat and leave it at room temperature for 20 minutes. Soaking your affected part in this preparation for 15 minutes will provide pain relief. You can repeat this 2-3 times a day every day until your muscle heals.   

White willow bark

White willow bark is a natural analgesic. White willow bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylic acid is effective in pain relief and relieves inflammation. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of dried white willow bark in 8 ounces of water and boil for 15 minutes. Strain and consume it after adding cinnamon stick and honey. You can also consume 2-3 drops of white willow bark tincture once a day for pain relief.   

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency can also cause muscle pain. Consuming magnesium rich foods such as bananas, legumes and almonds provides long term benefit in relieving muscle pain.