If your heels or ankles are throbbing and you’re looking for something more natural than a visit to the doctor, or medication from the local pharmacy, give these heel and ankle pain natural cures a try.
Asparagus provides the benefit of acting as a natural diuretic, which will flush any excess fluids out of your system. This is great for swollen feet and ankles and is a perfectly natural cure for swelling. Purchase some fresh asparagus from the store then steam and it eat for effect.
Speaking of helpful foods, to cure bloated and uncomfortable feet, here are a few foods that will help maintain your fluid levels and keep your heel and ankle pain to a minimum. Yogurt is great for reducing histamine producing bacteria. Histamine causes fluid retention and can create major heel and ankle pain. It’s a great natural cure. Poultry and fresh fish are both low in sodium and also great for reducing fluid build up.
To soothe sprains, strains, tendinitis, and other foot aches, use both a hot and cold vinegar wrap and alternate them every five minutes or so. Start by heating equal amounts of water and vinegar. Next, soak a wash cloth or towel in the mixture making sure to wring it out before wrapping it around your ankle or foot. After five minutes you can remove the wrap and proceed to mixing equal parts cold water and vinegar and repeating the same wrapping procedure. Repeat this cycle at least three times for maximum effect.
Another great heel and ankle pain natural cure is olive oil. Use this as a massage oil for tired and overworked feet. Additionally, Epsom salts work great for soaking those sore heels and ankles. Use 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts in a bucket of warm water and soak your feet for about 15 minutes. Be sure to moisturize your feet afterwards as Epsom salts cause drying effects.
Natural Heel and Ankle Pain Cures from the Spice Rack
One of the more interesting natural cures for your heel and ankle pain comes from the spice rack. Cayenne pepper contains a chemical called capsaicin that relieves pain and warms the feet. You can sprinkle some cayenne pepper in your socks to create these healing effects through out the day, but be aware that this method can be irritating to the skin after some time. Keep a change of socks with you just in case.
Sage contains curative chemicals as well and is great for sprains and pain. Grab a handful of sage leaves and rub them between your hands. This technique is known as bruising and it releases the herb’s chemicals. Next, put them in a pan with 2/3 cup cider vinegar. Let it boil before reducing to a simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and soak a cloth in the liquid. Apply this cloth to your sore ankle or heel as hot as you can tolerate.
Simple Rules to Avoid Heel and Ankle Pain
Avoid standing on hard surfaces and avoid standing for long periods of time. Foot pain often stems from muscle fatigue, brought on by standing. Maintaining your ideal weight can take a load of your ankles and heels, thus reducing the pain that comes with extra work for your feet. Making sure to take care of your feet is a critical task. The feet can last a long time with proper care and the heel and ankle pain natural cures listed above will help with just that.