They Call It “Natural Morphine”: Can This Homemade Drink Really Relieve Muscle, Joint and Rheumatic Pain?

A homemade drink made with ingredients such as ginger, citrus, garlic, and herbs is often shared online with dramatic claims that it works like “natural morphine” and can eliminate muscle pain, joint pain, and rheumatic pain.

While some of these ingredients have been traditionally used for digestive discomfort and inflammation, there is no evidence that this drink works like morphine or can eliminate rheumatic or chronic pain.

Ginger has been studied for joint and muscle pain, but the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says the available evidence is still unclear, particularly for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and general joint or muscle pain. (NCCIH)

A Simple Ginger & Citrus Infused Drink

If you enjoy this type of homemade beverage, you can prepare it as a refreshing drink rather than treating it as a painkiller.

Ingredients

• 1 liter water
• 1 small piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon or lime, sliced
• 2–3 garlic cloves, optional
• A few fresh mint leaves, optional
• Ice, optional