As its name suggests, an antispasmodic is a product that helps to combat and relieve involuntary muscle spasms, generally located in the digestive area, and sometimes urinary in certain cases.
You know, those intense often painful contractions often accompanied by other symptoms: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence?
In common language, antispasmodics refer to medications prescribed or available over the counter at a pharmacy. But it is also possible to naturally reduce the intensity of these spasms.
Discover these 8 natural antispasmodics, plants, and essential oils, my tips for using them and reducing belly aches and spasms.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has antispasmodic and analgesic properties due to its richness in curcumin, which allows the relaxation of smooth muscles.
In general, this spice is known to aid digestion, as indicated by this study.
By promoting bile production, turmeric acts on constipation and also helps to dispel gas.
You can take it in the form of dietary supplements or by adding up to a teaspoon in a dish. I advise you to pair it with a fat source to facilitate its absorption.
Note that turmeric teas are not useful, the active compounds are lipophilic and do not mix with water.
Read also | What you need to know to choose the best curcumin
2. Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the human body according to this study. One of its functions is to aid the normal functioning of the nervous system and muscles, and it plays an important role in muscle contraction.
In case of magnesium deficiency, one may suffer from involuntary muscle contractions: spasms. A twitching eyelid is often linked to a magnesium deficiency.
To limit the occurrence of digestive spasms, regularly provide your body with magnesium through dietary supplements or through diet: chocolate, nuts, certain mineral waters, legumes.
Read also | Best magnesium: a pharmacist’s opinion
3. Chamomile
Studies show that German chamomile, or matricaria (Matricaria recutita), has spasmolytic properties, notably by inhibiting phosphodiesterase enzymes which have numerous regulatory roles.
I recommend using it as a tea or in its essential oil form for a greater concentration of active ingredients.
4. Star Anise Essential Oil
Star anise essential oil (Illicium verum) has antispasmodic virtues that make it an ally against intestinal pain, as summarized in this publication.
It is generally recommended for stomach issues and aerophagia due to its anti-inflammatory functions.
Possessing plant estrogenic molecules resembling our human hormones, it should be avoided by people with hormone-dependent cancer.
5. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot is not just a citrus fruit found in Earl Grey tea. It is also a fruit whose essential oil (Citrus Bergamia) has antispasmodic properties, studied in these researches.
This essential oil is particularly interesting for relieving patients with irritable bowel syndrome, acting especially on constipation through its laxative effect.
6. True Lavender Essential Oil
True lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is a staple in the home aromatherapy kit for a myriad of benefits.
Among its actions, true lavender acts on the digestive level as a natural antispasmodic. On this subject, I invite you to read this publication.
Its mechanism of action? The presence of the bioactive compound linalool acts on cAMP (Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate), involved in muscle contraction.
7. Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil (rosmarinus officinalis), known for helping to reduce stress and stimulate memory, also has effects on stomach aches due to its antispasmodic action.
Its compounds act on noradrenergic receptors, involved in the activation of the sympathetic system and involuntary muscle contraction. By acting on these receptors, intestinal contractions are reduced, along with the discomfort that follows.
8. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint (minta piperita) is one of the best-known natural solutions for fighting the symptoms of functional bowel disorders or irritable bowel syndrome, as I discovered in this study.
It is often recommended against abdominal pain for its antispasmodic effect, as well as bloating and flatulence due to its carminative benefits.
Its mechanism of action is similar to that of true Lavender.
My tips for using antispasmodic essential oils
Using essential oils is good, but you also need to know how to handle them. Between the doses, blends, different applications, I’ll explain how to use the famous EOs safely.
Essential oils (EOs) are powerful natural products:
- Follow the manufacturers’ recommendations and heed contraindications, especially for pregnant women and children.
- Perform an allergy test in the crook of your elbow 24 hours before using to avoid a bad reaction.
- You can apply them topically, combined with a massage on the affected area, to combine the pleasant with the useful (they can penetrate the skin layers)
- Mix 3 to 4 drops of the essential oil of your choice with vegetable oils: hazelnut, macadamia, sweet almond
- You can use EOs in synergy, creating blends: essential oil of fennel, clary sage, and chamomile, for example. Ensure compatibility between the different oils.
If in doubt, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
My tips for limiting stomach aches and avoiding spasms
Some other natural remedies act directly or indirectly on intestinal spasms and may help you reduce the pain:
- Activated charcoal limits aerophagia and relieves gas
- some yoga poses are known to improve digestion and reduce bloating (body twist, cat-cow pose, wind-releasing pose, etc.)
- Green clay poultices soothe stomach aches due to their anti-inflammatory properties
- Thermotherapy (hot bath or applying a hot water bottle to the belly) has an antispasmodic effect due to its vasodilatory capabilities.
Of course, don’t do everything at once. I’m not certain that applying a green clay poultice to your belly while taking a hot bath and doing the cat pose is the most effective (and safe) way to get rid of your pain.
