In today’s industrialized society, pain and inflammation are spreading like wild fire.

Let’s face it, “pain” hurts and we all want to get away from it.

To dampen the flames of pain, many turn to over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.

The problem with this approach is that you run the risk of literally killing yourself, along with the pain. NSAIDs have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

Ibuprofen carries more than two dozen serious side effects including anemia, miscarriage, DNA damage, hypertension, hearing loss, and influenza mortality. Why take the risk when there is a safer alternative?

Back in the days before over the counter pain relievers, there was comfrey. A staple on the battlefields of the Roman Empire and the “go-to” remedy throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, comfrey has a rich history of healing.

This common herb has also played an important role in traditional Chinese medicine for the last 2,000 years.

It is relied upon to treat respiratory and stomach problems, wounds, broken bones, arthritis, and all manner of skin and muscle ailments.

In fact, comfrey’s reputation for relieving bone, joint, and muscle complaints has earned it the nicknames “knitback” and “boneset” because of its ability to essentially put you back together.

I often advise patients complaining of joint and muscle pain to try comfrey.

It is available as a cream designed for external use and it not only relieves pain, it helps to extinguish the inflammation and spark cellular repair.!

The kind I recommend contains no toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which have been shown to cause liver damage. Look for formulations that contain choline, rosmarinic acid, and allantoin for superior absorption and effectiveness.

“First do no harm,” the very first tenet of medicine, can be practiced right in your own home by reaching for a safe, effective alternative when life fans the fire of your pain.