8 Natural Aspirin Alternatives and How To Use Them

11.19.2019 0 comments

Author: Trisha Houghton, CNS, ASIST

When you get a headache, do you instinctively reach for an aspirin? If so, you’re like millions of other people who are using aspirin on a daily basis.

But what you need to know is that aspirin may not be as safe for use as you might think across every age group or population. There are a number of adverse effects that can have serious health consequences if aspirin is overused or used incorrectly.

In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into how aspirin works and what its benefits and risks are. We’ll look at some of the most common side effects that may occur when using aspirin.

But we’ll also take the time to explore some natural alternatives to aspirin. We’ll look at the science behind the natural aspirin alternatives and how they could actually work just as well as (or even better than) aspirin.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to combat pain, headaches, and swelling without the need for aspirin!

Introduction: The Risks of Daily Aspirin Use

Let’s get one thing clear: experts agree that aspirin can and does help to prevent heart attacks.

Aspirin is the generalized trademark of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). It works by thinning the blood, which is useful for heart attack and stroke prevention. Thinning the blood can prevent blood clots forming in the blood vessels. For this reason, doctors believe that aspirin is an excellent preventative measure against serious cardiovascular events.

Aspirin also inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX), an enzyme that is necessary for the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins play a central role in the body’s reactions to infections and injuries. Preventing the formation of prostaglandins can curb inflammation, fever, pain, and swelling.

Given these results, it’s easy to see why aspirin has become one of the most popular treatments for a wide range of health problems. Its pain-killing, infection-reducing, and anti-inflammatory properties make it a convenient go-to.

Unfortunately, there are some known side effects and risks that make aspirin less-than-ideal in many cases. The consequences of this anti-inflammatory drug can be very real and serious.

Side Effects and Risks of Aspirin

Below are the main risks and side effects of aspirin that you should be aware of.

Bleeding Risks in Older Adults

According to a study from Oxford University[1], people over the age of 75 are TEN TIMES more likely to suffer fatal or disabling bleeds when they take aspirin on a regular basis.

This is due to the fact that aspirin does reduce blood clotting by preventing the production of platelets (platelet function is to form clots). High doses of aspirin taken in excess can prevent clots from forming around internal injuries—for example, in the gastrointestinal tract or blood vessels.

Without proper blood coagulation, there is a very real risk of excessive bleeding, which can be fatal in some cases.

Senior citizens are the ones typically most at risk for bleeds as a result of their aspirin intake.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Ulcers

Aspirin use is a known cause of or risk factor for stomach ulcers.

Daily consumption of salicylic acid (the active ingredient in aspirin) increases the risk of ulcers forming in your stomach. Researchers found [2] that even in patients not infected by the H. pylori bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, daily low dose aspirin use can raise the risk of stomach ulcers.

Existing ulcers may also be worsened by the aspirin, and could begin to bleed in your GI tract. In some cases, this amount of internal bleeding can be life-threatening.

Even taking low dose aspirin can lead to stomach irritation, dyspepsia, and damage to the mucus stomach lining and intestinal lining. All this on top of a higher risk of peptic ulcer disease.

Stroke Risk Due to Excessive Blood Thinning

Daily aspirin therapy is used to prevent stroke (particularly blood clot-related strokes), but it can cause a stroke caused by excessive bleeding in the brain. This is the result of a burst blood vessel that bleeds profusely.

The blood thinning properties of aspirin is what causes a hemorrhagic stroke, which can be as fatal as a clot-related or ischemic stroke.

Negative Drug Interactions

Experts warn that taking aspirin while using other medications can be dangerous.

Anticoagulants like warfarin or apixaban can cause major bleeding when combined with aspirin, which can be life-threatening.

Aspirin can interact negatively with Ibuprofen, corticosteroids, Heparin, Clopidogrel, and a number of antidepressants.

If you’re taking natural supplements like bilberry, cat’s claw, gingko, Omega-3s, evening primrose oil, and danshen, they can all interact negatively with aspirin, leading to potentially serious complications.

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Other Side Effects

According to the MayoClinic, one of the three primary complications that result from daily aspirin therapy is allergic reaction. While not common, there are those who prove allergic to the salicylic acid in the aspirin. The allergic reaction can range from mild to life-threatening.

According to a number of studies, aspirin can also lead to problems like:

• Cerebral bleeding;
• Higher influenza mortality rates;
• Hearing loss in both men and women;
• Reye’s syndrome in children or teenagers with the chickenpox or flu.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons you need to be cautious with regular aspirin use. While it’s recommended as an anti-clotting medication that can relieve pain, curb swelling, and reduce your risk of strokes, it may also be causing some of your other health problems.

If you aren’t careful, those problems can become serious or even fatal.

Why Consider Natural Alternatives to Aspirin?

Finding a natural alternative to aspirin is ideal if you want a safe solution for combatting your health problems (such as pain, swelling, infection, or blood clots) without putting your health at risk.

You’ve seen the list of possible side effects of aspirin above, and if a natural alternative for aspirin can help you avoid them, why wouldn’t you consider them?

Below, we’ve collected a list of the very best aspirin natural alternatives: foods, herbs, spices, and minerals that will provide the same benefits with none of the side effects.

Consider them next time you’re about to reach for that aspirin bottle!

8 Top Natural Aspirin Alternatives

Many people seek natural alternatives to aspirin for pain relief and inflammatory conditions without the risk of side effects. Here are 8 top natural aspirin alternatives that support overall health and wellness.

Ginger: Reducing Inflammation and Blood Clots

Ginger is probably one of the most potent and effective aspirin alternatives around.

Research [3] has proven it can prevent blood clotting by reducing thromboxane, the hormone that causes platelet aggregation.

Ginger also contains salicylates, the chemical that makes aspirin so effective at preventing blood clot formation, only in a much lower and safer dosage.

Ginger can also protect against stomach ulcers and decrease stomach irritation[4]. Regular consumption of ginger can prevent lesions in the stomach mucosal lining that can turn to ulcers or bleed.

Turmeric: A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Alternative

Turmeric is another highly effective alternative to aspirin for blood thinning. The curcumin in turmeric inhibits blood coagulation by preventing the “coagulation cascade components” (also called “clotting factors”) from being produced [5].

But what makes turmeric so amazing is its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Curcumin is a strong antioxidant that can decrease swelling and the low-grade inflammation caused by disease and infection [6].

It also has anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antiviral, and anti-diarrheal properties. It has even been proven effective to curb the joint pain and swelling caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

MSM: Pain Relief and Recovery Support

MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, is one of the best aspirin alternatives to combat pain.

Doctors typically use MSM as a natural treatment for osteoarthritis[7]. It is known to alleviate mild pain, stiffness, and swelling caused by arthritis.

MSM is also recommended as a post-workout recovery supplement. Research [8] has proven that MSM can reduce post-workout swelling, decrease tissue stress and pain, curb oxidative stress, increase antioxidant capacity, and prevent muscle soreness following intense exercise.

Cinnamon: Improving Circulation and Heart Health

Cinnamon is one of the best natural remedies for combatting cardiovascular diseases.

Research [9] has proven that the antioxidants in cinnamon can offer amazing cardiovascular protection by preventing excessive clotting and reducing atherosclerosis (arterial narrowing that is a side effect of high cholesterol).

Cinnamon can also stabilize your blood sugar, lower high blood pressure, and decrease your LDL cholesterol levels. It even has vasodilation properties that can improve blood flow and ease the tension on your blood vessels.

In addition to protecting against cardiovascular disease, cinnamon can also reduce inflammation caused by obesity and aid in weight loss.

Magnesium: Regulating Blood Pressure

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals for optimal function of the entire human body, from your brain to your heart, your muscles to your bones and teeth.

A lack of magnesium has been linked to high blood pressure, but people who get enough magnesium in their diet are at far less risk of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases.

Magnesium can combat arrhythmias and reduce your chances of coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death.

Bromelain: Enzyme for Pain and Inflammation

Bromelain is a natural enzyme found in pineapples. It has been used in Central and South American centuries as a remedy for inflammation and indigestion.

Bromelain has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and bruising caused by injuries and surgeries. It can also speed up healing time and curb pain.

Direct application of bromelain to the skin can accelerate healing following serious burns. The enzyme helps remove dead tissue from the burns and reduces pain.

Research [10] has found that it can reduce the pain and swelling caused by arthritis (one of the most common reasons for senior citizens to for aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs).

Willow Bark: Nature’s Aspirin

Willow bark is another highly effective natural remedy that has been in use for centuries. In fact, it’s where the idea for aspirin came from!

Long before Bayer aspirin was sitting on pharmacy shelves, herbalists and doctors knew willow bark was a powerful medicinal food. They would prescribe willow bark in teas, poultices, and powder form or even recommend people chew on willow bark to combat pain.

Willow bark contains salicin, a chemical that the body turns into salicylic acid. Aspirin is essentially just a synthetic, man-made form of salicin that has the same effects.

However, willow bark produces far less salicylic acid, and thus is far less likely to trigger the negative side effects that aspirin does due to its lower dose.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reducing Clotting and Inflammation

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

They’re often recommended as a natural solution to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis by curbing the inflammation common to these disorders.

People who take Omega-3 supplements are far less likely to rely on aspirin or other NSAIDs because the fatty acids naturally have the same effect.

How to Use These Natural Alternatives Safely

To achieve fewer side effects and still enjoy the benefits of these aspirin alternatives, keep in mind the tips listed below.

Dosage and Precautions

Always ask your doctor before taking any medications or supplements, whether regular aspirin or any of the aspirin alternatives listed above.

Follow the dosage as recommended by your physician or as directed on the label.

At the first sign of any negative interactions or side effects, stop taking the supplements and consult a healthcare provider before resuming.

Combining with Diet and Lifestyle Changes

In many cases, the aspirin alternatives we listed above can be included in your daily diet:

• Ginger and turmeric make tasty additions to your meals, or you can blend them up to make a ginger-turmeric shot.
• Cinnamon is a delicious spice to sprinkle in your oatmeal or drink in a tea.
• 1-2 servings of pineapple contain all the bromelain your body needs every day.
• Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, black beans, tofu, peanut butter, potatoes, and brown rice are all excellent sources of magnesium.
• Omega-3 supplements, flax seeds, and flaxseed oil can provide plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Add these foods to a healthy, natural, plant-based diet along with other substances rich in antioxidants (particularly green tea, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, berries, grape seed extract, and dark, leafy greens).

Combine your new diet with daily cardiovascular exercise and resistance training.

This simple lifestyle change can do wonders to reduce your risk of heart disease, inflammation, pain, and other conditions you might typically treat with aspirin.

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Conclusion: Embracing Natural Options for Pain and Heart Health

If you want to enjoy the benefits of aspirin without the drawbacks, it may be a good idea to go the natural route and try these aspirin alternatives.

The foods and supplements we shared in this article will deliver all the pain-relieving and cardiovascular benefits of aspirin but won’t put your health at risk.

They’re a safe, natural solution that could one day save your life—or, at the very least, allow you to enjoy that life as pain- and worry-free as possible!

FAQs

What anti-inflammatory is safe for kidneys and liver?

If you’re worried about kidney and liver damage (a known consequence of long-term NSAID use), the National Kidney Foundation has stated that acetaminophen (Tylenol and Panadol) is a “safer choice”.

What is the safest painkiller for heart patients?

According to Harvard University, naproxen may pose the lowest risk to people at risk of or suffering from heart problems. They may be a good option for those suffering from other conditions (such as musculoskeletal pain or arthritis) concurrently with heart conditions.

What is the safest pain reliever to take on a daily basis?

The Mayo Clinic stated that “acetaminophen (Tylenol/Panadol) is generally considered safer than other pain relievers” because “it doesn’t cause side effects such as stomach pain and bleeding” and recommended it for people suffering from chronic pain.

Resources

Aspirin

The mechanism of action of aspirin

Age-specific risks, severity, time course, and outcome of bleeding on long-term antiplatelet treatment after vascular events

Blood-thinning foods, drinks, and supplements

Health benefits and possible side effects of MSM

Daily aspirin therapy: Understand the benefits and risks

Magnesium

Bromelain

Willow bark

Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases

Predictors of mortality in trauma patients with intracranial hemorrhage on preinjury aspirin or clopidogrel

The effect on mortality of antipyretics in the treatment of influenza infection

Analgesic use and the risk of hearing loss in men

Hearing loss in a woman on aspirin

Reye’s syndrome – Symptoms and causes

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