Are Your Muscles Sore and Overworked?

As the weather turns warm, we find ourselves out in the yard doing spring clean-up projects.  Our muscles find the extra work objectionable and give us a pain response.  There are several simple remedies which may help relieve these sore and painful muscles.

Magnesium – The first thing I do is increase the magnesium in my diet.  Food sources of magnesium include:  kelp, almonds, cashews, dulse, soybeans, dandelion greens, spinach, figs, apples, and fresh citrus fruit juice.  It may also be taken as a supplement.  Magnesium helps with bone strength, relaxes the muscles, and it useful for nervousness.  It may help with leg cramps, anxiety, or insomnia.

Arnica – A popular homeopathic remedy, Arnica is used for pain relief, bruising, or injury.  It may be taken in tiny tablets or pellets which dissolve under the tongue.  It is wonderful in a cream or gel to be rubbed into the painful area.  It is commonly used for arthritis or back pain, and brings relief to sore muscles.  Arnica should NOT be used on broken skin.  It may be helpful after an accident or surgery, and does not interfere with any medications.

Passionflower – A beautiful and invasive vine which grows well in Ohio.  It has lovely aromatic purple flowers, but the leaves are the part of the plant used for herbal medicine.  Passionflower may be taken as a tea, tincture, or in capsule form.  Passionflower relieves muscle tension, menstruation cramps, nervous insomnia, and helps calm anxiety.  It has analgesic or pain-relieving properties and is anti-inflammatory.  Passionflower should not be taken during pregnancy, as it may stimulate uterine muscles.  It also should not be taken if you take an MAO inhibitor drug.

Essential Oil Bath Salts – Mix together this blend and add it to a warm bath for a relaxing soak.  1 cup Epsom Salts, 4 drops Lavender oil, 2 drops Juniper oil, 2 drops Rosemary oil, and 2 drops Peppermint oil.

Try one of these natural remedies today and enjoy more yard work tomorrow!