Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Greater Boston - Rhode Island

Rethinking Pain Relief: Clinically Studied Alternative to Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen

Dec 31, 2025 09:31AM ● By Dr. Gary Kracoff

HayDmitriy / DepositPhotos.com

As consumers and healthcare professionals recognize the significant health risks associated with the prolonged use of common OTC pain relievers, the search for daily relief of minor aches and inflammation is occurring. There’s a growing interest in finding safer alternatives to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Botanical extracts, rooted in traditional medicine and backed by modern science and clinical tests, now offer a powerful, synergistic and sustainable to support the body’s natural response to inflammation and pain.

While both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe and effective for short-term relief of pain and inflammation when used as directed, current medical consensus strongly advises against their continuous or high-dose use for chronic conditions.

Acetaminophen, which acts on the central nervous system to reduce pain and fever, can cause liver damage. This is a serious risk when exceeding the maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams per day or when combined with alcohol.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory which inhibits COX enzymes to reduce inflammation, pain and fever. Improper usage can lead to a high risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding and perforation. It also can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or kidney damage.

A highly effective blended supplement designed for fast and effective comfort that relies on a synergistic blend of powerful, clinically studied botanicals is now available that is blended for maximum absorption and targeted action across multiple inflammatory pathways.

A blend of the following ingredients is now available and has been clinically shown to be more effective for most for pain and inflammation relief:

Using a lipid formulation of curcumin can dramatically enhance the bioavailability, ensuring that more of the active components enter the bloodstream. This works by inhibiting NF kappa B, a master regulator that controls the gene expression for numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF alpha, IL-6 and COX-2. This turns down the body’s inflammatory cascade at its source.

Boswellia has been used for centuries to support joint and connective tissue health and works well along with curcumin. Unlike ibuprofen, which targets the COX pathway, boswellia targets the 5-lipoxygenase molecules called leukotrienes which contribute heavily to chronic inflammation and joint degradation. By directly inhibiting 5-LOX, Boswellia helps regulate this parallel inflammatory process.

Black Sesame Seed Oil is the delivery system. This ingredient is crucial for the supplement’s efficacy, serving as a special lipid-based transport mechanism. Curcumin and boswellia extracts are fat-soluble. Blending these with black sesame seed oil can significantly optimize their absorption and systemic delivery, ensuring fast-acting results.

By combining the highly bioavailable properties of curcumin, the targeted 5-LOX action of boswellia along with black sesame seed oil to increase absorption, this botanical strategy employs a dual pathway inhibitory approach that provides broader anti-inflammatory support than utilizing either compound alone.

Several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with osteoarthritis, joint stiffness and pain have demonstrated that this combination is often more effective than either ingredient alone.

This studied mixture of these ingredients is available to the general public without a prescription and provides a safer alternative to acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Dr. Gary Kracoff is a registered pharmacist with a degree in natural medicine at the Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center, at 577 Main St., Waltham, MA. Consultations with their professional pharmacists and dieticians are also offered. For more information, call 781-893-3870 ext. 2, email [email protected] or visit NaturalCompounder.com