Dr. Khalili put years of work into his plant-powered pain relief cream.

However, the work had been done for him by naturalists, scientists, and trials that preceded his product. Khalili picked his nine plant ingredients — from Boswellia to cayenne pepper — because of their effectiveness, but also to create a holistic alternative for people who need reliable pain relief.

If you’re looking for further reading, you can also review the cream’s label sold on every bottle. In fact, to ensure there isn’t anything that might trigger a reaction, we recommend you read the label and talk to a doctor before use.

But keep reading if you’re hoping to learn more about plant-powered alternatives that soothes sore muscles and eases achy joints.

Arnica

Also known as Wolfsbane, Arnica has been embraced by many healers from cultures around the world. The small yellow flower may look delicate in the forest, but it packs a powerful punch in the fight against pain.

Arnica has limited usefulness and can even be dangerous in the wrong situations.

What to know about Arnica

You can find Arnica in pills, creams, tinctures, perfumes, cosmetics, and food. Here’s what scientists and healers across the Northern Hemisphere have learned about the flower’s healing properties:

·        Reduces swelling for people with osteoarthritis

·        Topical treatments can be useful for treating inflammation

·        Oral doses can reduce post-surgical inflammation.

People using blood-thinning medications should avoid using Arnica, and you should not apply Arnica on broken skin, near your eyes, or near mucous membranes. In large doses, Arnica can be toxic.

MSM

With the name of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), many naturalists may be wary of this dietary supplement. However, naturally occurring in animals, humans, and many plants, MSM has become commonly used to respond to various forms of pain.

Relatively new to the scene, MSM was first experimented with in the late 1970s.

What to know about MSM

Despite its relatively short amount of usage, its anti-inflammatory properties have been well documented.

·        One study took middle aged to older adults with osteoarthritis saw reduced pain and improved physical function when using MSM for 12 weeks.

·        Another study found that oral consumption of MSM improved knee pain and systemic health.

Camphor

A waxy substance found on leaves and bark of the laurel family; this ingredient is often found in Asia. With a distinctive smell that’s difficult to identify, camphor has been used in foods around the world although it’s no longer recommended.

Beyond its use for pain, its smell is also used to make breathing easier in topical products like Vicks VapoRub.

What to know about Camphor

Often used in traditional Chinese medicine, studies have found camphor beneficial for treating inflammation.

·        In one study, scientists used camphor as an essential oil, and it acted as an anti-inflammatory agent.

·        Another study confirmed that camphor inhibited pain and inflammatory parameters.

Avoid ingesting camphor, as scientists have widely found that it is not safe to eat.

Ginger

Most people know ginger is great for your body, great for your food, and great for a cold. This fact has been known and applied for more than 5,000 years in Southeast and Eastern Asia.

But Khalili has harnessed Ginger for its anti-inflammatory benefits.

What to know about Ginger

A common sight in meals around the world, ginger has a distinct smell. It’s believed its healing properties come from the same ingredient that creates its smell. Over the past five millennia, humans have learned a bit about the benefits of ginger in pain relief:

·        Ginger extract has relieved knee pain for patients with osteoarthritis.

·        Patients with inflammation and rheumatism reported relief in pain, swelling, and muscular discomfort when taking powdered ginger.

·        Trained female athletes experienced a decrease in muscle soreness when taking ginger compared to a placebo.

Boswellia

An extract naturally found as a sticky resin in Boswellia tree bark, this extract has a rich history and likely many benefits to unearth in the future. Also named Frankincense, it was famously used as a gift from the Wise Men to newborn baby Jesus.

Scientifically, Boswellia has been used to combat various diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.

What to know about Boswellia

Native to India, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, scientists are studying Boswellia serrata’s ability to decrease swelling and increase immune systems. Here’s what we know so far:

·        In a study of 30 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, all patients receiving Boswellia serrata extract reported a decrease in knee pain, increased flexibility, and increased walking distance.

·        In another double-blind study, a composition derived from Boswellia granted significant improvements in decreasing pain and increasing function within five days for people with osteoarthritis.

Boswellia serrata extract caused some people minor gastrointestinal issues in one study but speak with your doctor before use.

Curcumin

Known as the golden chemical located in the stem of the turmeric plant, curcumin has helped turmeric’s astronomical rise in the health-food communities for its benefits. It also adds a kick to the foods and drinks creative chefs have placed it in.

Utilized for thousands of years in Ayurvedic Medicine, curcumin was isolated and extracted in 1815.

What to know about Curcumin

Curcumin use has skyrocketed in the years since it was first extracted. Beyond its pain relief qualities, it’s also being explored for its possible benefits for cancer fighting, Alzheimer slowing, and depression stopping.

Curcumin only exists in small amounts in edible turmeric, so there are some important things to know about it before running to the grocery store:

·        One study showed that osteoarthritis patients felt less pain, although not less stiffness with curcumin.

·        Reporting no adverse effects, curcumin was found to reduce the painful symptoms for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

With a strong history of safe usage, many health agencies around the world have listed it as safe.  However, some minor side effects have been reported.

Cayenne Pepper

Another entry in Khalili’s pain cream that also doubles as a popular ingredient in food, cayenne has been used by Native Americans for at least 9,000 years.

Cayenne is known to counter irritants, making it effective at relieving the painful symptoms of ulcers, sore throats, coughs, and upset stomachs.

What to know about Cayenne

Within Cayenne there is a chemical known as capsaicin that is the strongest part of its pain and discomfort relief. There is still much to learn about capsaicin, but it is being tested in many applications. Here’s what we know about Cayenne:

·        Studies have found that applying Cayenne topically can reduce your brain’s ability to feel discomfort.

·        Using a topical concentration of Cayenne was recently approved in the EU and USA for relieving pain.

Comfrey

Widely known as a cure-all, comfrey is known for its soothing, rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. Its earliest use dates back to 400 B.C. Greece where it was used to staunch bleeding.

What to know about Comfrey

Healers have long used comfrey as a medicinal plant. However, scientist are now waking up to the safest uses for comfrey.

·        Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of comfrey topically when used for muscle and joint pain.

·        A double-blind trial found that people with acute upper or lower back pain found that pain decreased an average of 95.2%.

The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany have banned sale of oral comfrey as it’s found to be dangerous orally. Also using too much comfrey can be harmful when used topically, so consult a doctor before use.

Menthol

Menthol naturally occurs in mint and brings out its flavor, aroma, and medicinal effects. Widely used because of its natural cooling properties, and traces its roots to the first century in Israel in the Bible.

What to know about Menthol

Menthol reduces pain by numbing the topical location, cools inflamed skin, and stimulates healing. Its strength comes from its ability to desensitize receptors.

·        One study found that pain severity decreased in patients with mild to moderate musculoskeletal, neurological, and arthritic pain.

·        Another study found pain sensitivity reduced within 15 minutes of use of topical menthol.