Alleviates, relieves (5)
I believe the answer is:
eases
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'alleviates' is the first definition.
(easing is a kind of alleviating)
'relieves' is the second definition.
('ease' can be a synonym of 'relieve')
(Other definitions for eases that I've seen before include "Lessens tensions" , "Makes more comfortable" , "Facilitates" , "Softens" , "Moderates" .)