These are things I either use and love, or have heard wonderful things about and really want to try! Let me know if you try any of these or have any suggestions for products you love! 

 

Natural Pain Relief

Let’s get straight into the important stuff – natural pain relief options! These things work for me or have come highly recommended, but we’re all so different so make sure to do your own research, test things slowly, and work with your wellness team whenever you try new things! 

Magnesium. Magnesium Everything. 

I love magnesium, it’s seriously awesome stuff. (I call it my magic spray and it’s my first stop for every little niggle… just ask my friends, haha!) Most of us are deficient and it’s hard to get enough through food alone, yet it’s used by the body for so many things. It helps relax muscles to relieve pain, but it also helps to improve sleep quality, energy levels, mental health, digestive issues, and just overall wellness. I favour the topical magnesium spray or lotion because it absorbs quickest and you can put it directly where you need it. Magnesium is my number one recommendation for natural pain relief and general wellbeing. There are lots of variations though, and you may need to just have a play to see what works for you!

• Apply it to your skin with topical magnesium spray or moisturiser. I like the Amazing Oils brand. (Just note that it may sting when you first start using it.) This one also gets good reviews, but I haven’t tried it. 
• Take a bath or foot bath with epsom salt or magnesium bath flakes. (A lovely way to relax at night)
• Drink it with food grade magnesium flakes. 
• Supplement with it. There are many options out there but I’d recommend working with your wellness team or checking out the Magnesium Advocacy Group to find out what might work for you. I’ve used the MagFX, Fibroplex, and Pure Innovation brands but they were prescribed through my naturopath. 

Cramp Bark

This stuff helps me so much to naturally relieve painful period cramps. I actually can’t believe just how much it helps to ease the cramping! It’s not too tasty, but I can tell you it tastes better than cramps feel. I take a few drops in water for a few days before my period arrives, then 20ish drops in water every few hours once my period arrives or I feel cramps starting. If I need it to work really quickly, I also sometimes put a few drops under my tongue… but make sure you have water nearby the first time you try that! 
I first started with these magnesium & cramp bark pills, but now use these cramp bark drops.  

Turmeric Supplements

Turmeric is very anti-inflammatory for most of us (it can cause an immune flair in some people though, so just listen to your body.) The active ingredient is curcumin, so you may see supplements listed under both names. Whichever supplement you choose, just make sure it contains black pepper, as this helps the goodness absorb into your body. I like this Fusion High Potency Turmeric. 

Gut Health & Healing

Healing your gut is an important part in any wellness journey. Gut health plays a really important role in reducing inflammation and improving immunity, and there’s more and more research coming out on gut-brain connection, which links gut health and mental health. 

Gelatin

This is super healing for your gut, and also helps with skin, nail, and hair health as a bonus. You always want to choose grass-fed at the very least, and get it as pure as you can. Gelatin turns into a gel in liquid, so it’s best for making things you want to set. Puddings, jellies, gummies, etc. You can also add it to cooking or anything that will be heated to eat. (Don’t add it to smoothies or cold things unless you want your drink to turn into gelatinous ickiness!) I started out using the Great Lakes Gelatin, but I’ve switched to Vital Proteins Gelatin now.

Collagen

Collagen is a slightly more processed version of gelatin that it dissolves in liquid. It still has all the good benefits and is great to add to smoothies, baking, and cooking. Just like with the gelatin, I started off using the Great Lakes Collagen, but I’ve switched to Vital Proteins Collagen now because I found the Great Lakes one sometimes left a bit of a weird aftertaste.

Bone Broth

Gelatin and collagen are both derived from bone broth, which is super nourishing. Broth is easy to make, and there are lots of ways to do it. If you’re making your own, it’s important to use the purest bones you can. Organic is ideal, but they should at least be grass-fed and chemical free so that you’re not drawing out toxins to consume! I’m only human though and I do like convenience where I can get it, so I really like the Meadow and Marrow broth concentrates. A teaspoon in hot water every morning and I’m good to go!

Probiotics

Good bacteria is so important for gut health, and a quality probiotic can help to balance your gut flora. My naturopath prescribed me Orthoplex Multiflora, but you can find lots of good options in your local healthfood store. 

Fermented Foods

Another way to improve good bacteria is to introduce or increase your intake of fermented foods. But start slow! When the bad bacteria die they release toxins and basically go out kicking and screaming, so you want to ease them out slowly. 

 

Water Filters

Our water contains chlorine, flouride, and other chemicals these days, all of which can increase inflammation and spike our endo issues. I personally react quite strongly to chlorine, so I try to filter it out as much as possible. Too much tap water gives me headaches and completely drains my energy, as well as drying out my hair and skin. 

Drinking Water Filter

We have a Zazen water filter and I love it! The water tastes so much better and I just feel much better. This is from their site:

With a State-of-the-Art 10 stage process, the zazen Alkaline Water filter system works to clean your water, reducing bacterial & chemical contamination, and then rebalance, remineralise, protect and restructure the water so that you enjoy the very best alkaline drinking water full of essential health benefits.

Shower Filter

I also use a shower filter because I’m sensitive to chlorine. I really notice the difference when I’m away and showering in ‘normal’ water, or when my filter needs replacing. It helps to stop my skin from drying out and getting irritated, and it reduces hair-loss and improves my hair health. I use this Vitamin C Shower Filter. I like that the replacement cartridges are quite affordable too!