"Herbs for Pain"
PAIN: HERBS THAT HELP
As a child in the hospital, I can recall the voice of my favorite nurse- after all these years. I tried to follow that memory, as I dealt with my own patients- speaking softly - especially when they were in pain. Simple interventions often ease pain and discomfort. One cannot qualify the soft touch of a hand or the comfort of a tender voice when pain comes to call. Pain is often defined by location, quality and intensity. It is not unusual to qualify pain intensity on the “scale of 1 to 10.” Pain can be fleeting or constant; sharp or dull; acute or chronic; localized or diffuse. It may come in waves or initiate one place but seem to be felt in another.
The discomfort of pain is sometimes hard to describe.
In babies, pain can be visceral- that is to say originating from the internal organs- like colic. With children, pain often comes from injury- like leg cramps from running all day. With adults, pain can come from injury- or it comes from inflammation.
Any discussion of pain will involve our nation’s dependence on pain medication. In truth, prescription pain medication is the most effective modality to eradicate pain. There is no herb as effective to “blot out” pain as narcotic prescription medication. Herein lies the problem. There is certainly benefit to be derived from pain eradication. We want it to stop! However, the con-component of pain therapy is usually REST. Most pain, caused by strain or inflammation demands rest for complete healing. Strong pain prescriptions lead us to premature belief that we are well before we really are. Because of this “honeymoon” from pain; we reengage in activities that prolong the stress and strain- re-injuring the area we are treating. Re-injury necessitates re-medication; incurring a vicious cycle of dependence.
I have arthritis in most of my joints. I have noticed that – over time- my knees will become inflamed; or my shoulders will “hurt like anything.” What I have also noticed is that over time- if I care for myself- the pain and inflammation wanes. I am not a spring chicky, so I know that Arthritis is my lot in life. Arthritis is an inflammation. Most of us who have it have some degree of overall body inflammation at all times. It “flares” in our joints.
David Winston calls inflammation as we age “inflamm-aging” and discusses it at length in his book about “ADAPTOGENS.”
I mentioned that I take care of myself. By this I mean that over the years I know what works for me. Sometimes it takes several weeks or months for my knees or shoulders to feel better. I know that this is the course of my condition and I do my best to be my own advocate for pain relief. I do not take prescription medications or joint injections; but I do follow a regimen of rest, massage, heat, and herbs. This is what works for me. I have learned this by understanding my body. If we think about it, we know our bodies much better than anyone who sees us for seven to fifteen minutes once a month or once a year. We have been in this body for years: feeling its heartbeat; breathing its breath; seeing its visions; smelling its odors; and hearing its whistles, pops, and cracks! Taking stock of your “body talk” is the most important thing you can do to keep you on the road to good health. Pain is a warning that something is not working correctly. It is an important message from your body. Ameliorating the cause of pain is as important as alleviating pain itself.
So where does pain come from? Visceral pain comes from the “soft inside” of our cavities. It can be caused by inflammation, impediment, or injury. Musculo-skeletal pain can also be caused by inflammation or injury. Nerve pain may be caused by impediment (impingement), injury, or be secondary to inflammation, as well.
Sometimes, we know exactly why we have pain. We touched a hot burner or we stepped on a nail. However, we may not always know exactly why we have pain. I would never discourage anyone from seeking the opinion of their physician; Acute and surgical pain should be the prerogative of your physician. I would, however, encourage you to listen to your “bodytalk.” Often, trips to the doctor can be forestalled by applying basic remedial techniques. You may not always know what is causing your pain, but you can often be “Sherlocky” and deduce the cause. Once you determine the cause you can take steps to intercede on your own behalf.
First, pain can be acute (sudden onset, short duration) or chronic (over a long time.) You may feel the “pop” in your back as you bend unnaturally, or you may not feel pain for hours or days. You may notice a “crick” in your neck when you awake in the morning. You may notice that you have abdominal pain and bloating after eating certain foods. Any place in your body can reflect discord/ pain.
Remember, we said that pain can be from injury or from inflammation.
Acute injuries like obvious bleeding and broken bones need immediate medical attention. However, subtle injuries can often be managed at home.
Let’s look at some remedies for injury.
Splint the area to prevent movement until you determine its extent. For the most part, this means REST.
*Apply cool compresses to inhibit the injury process, then heat to bring blood to the area. This is a much debated theory. Apply hot? Or cold? For the most part, cold inhibits swelling- which keeps pain at bay. Heat brings blood to the area providing an immediate “inflammatory” process of cleanse and rebuild.
*If you can, immerse the area in warm herbed water, or use compresses dipped in herbal infusions.
*Proceed through the healing process with massage, Yoga, or gentle stretching.
Remedies for Inflammation.
Remember that anything with the suffix “itis” is an inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s own process of combat. Outward signs of inflammation are heat, redness, swelling; and because of the swelling: pain. Blood filled with phagocytes remove pathogens and wastes from the area as temperature rises. Redness is a sign of the increased blood supply. Swelling comes from increased capillary permeability at the site. Both blood and lymph are at work here. Blood bringing combatants; lymph sumping away the dross.
*Help the process by applying warm compresses. Heat with moisture gives deeper relief than heat alone.
HERBS THAT HELP Pain do so by decreasing inflammation; relaxing spasms; moving secretions; and by soothing nerves. One way Anti-inflammatories work is by inhibiting target enzymes that stimulate capillary fragility and permeability. That means that they work to disarm degenerative processes. Antispasmodics relax the autonomic nervous system, but not necessarily the central nervous system. That means they facilitate relaxation of muscles without sedation. Stimulators move blood into the area to warm and flush out impurities. Astringents drain tissues of excess fluid relieving pressure. Nervines soothe both external and internal nerves. Herbs can be selective- specific to an area or tissue; or indirect- acting with process to relieve pressure or spasm. Often, they work well in combination- or in sequence.
Herbs (1) below are acrid and astringent… and as such are antispasmodic in action. For the most part, antispasmodics relieve tension in the tissues.
Herbs (2) below are cooling and sour…and as such pull heat from the tissues decreasing pain.
Herbs (3) below are astringent… and as such pull fluid from the tissues.
Herbs (4) below are stimulating… and as such warm and move blood into the tissues.
1Agrimony- Relieves pain by loosening spasms. Helpful for tension headaches; ureteral spasms (during stone expulsion); menstrual pain; bowel spasms (colitis); hemorrhoids; and ulceration of the skin and mucous membranes.
Arnica- Topically massaged into (unbroken) skin over painful muscles and joints. Homeopathically before and after surgery to escalate healing; and to move bruises out of the tissues after injury.
1Blue Vervain –Relieves tension in sprains and strains; headache and neck pain.
1Black Cohosh – Contains salicin. Tincture of the fresh plant (Jim McDonald) to address muscle pain- relieves inflammation and increases circulation.
Black haw- Relieves uterine cramps; bearing down cramps; after-cramps. Menstrual cramps that shoot down the legs.
1Boneset - Antispasmodic relief of aches and pains with influenza.
Calendula – Lymphatic. External infusion resolves swelling.
California Poppy- Sedative. Antispasmodic for gall bladder pain and colic in children.
1Catnip – Spasms of the stomach, with gas or colic.
1Chamomile- Sedative for “babies of any age” (Matthew Wood). Relaxes nerves.
Comfrey- Topically and internally heals wounds, causing tissue regeneration. Caution should be taken so the wound edges do not close before the internal margins, sealing the wound before deep healing occurs.
Clove oil- Anesthetic. Helpful with painful dental conditions.
Cramp bark – Anti- inflammatory nervine relaxes voluntary and uterine muscular spasm. Menstrual cramps that wrap around the pelvis to the lower back.
Dill- “Gripe Water.” Antispasmodic for children’s colic.
4Ginger- Internally warming, helps especially with un-digestion- where food lays in the stomach. Externally warming… Ginger foot baths to warm muscles and disperse abdominal cramps. Ginger oil massage to relieve muscle spasms.
1Hops- Relaxes smooth muscles. Ureteral spasm- passing stones.
3Horse Chestnut- Relief of damp, boggy vessels. Homeopathic internally. Salve or cream externally astringes neuro-muscular tension.
Horsetail- Richest source of plant silica- strengthening connective tissue matrix. Important ally in connective tissue injury- with Solomon’s Seal. Broken bones; torn cartilage and ligaments.
Jamaican Dogwood – Tincture can be applied topically to remedy muscle constriction with concurrent nerve pain.
1Kava Kava- Useful to relieve tension surrounding pain. Try Rosemary’s Zoom Balls (recipe on my website) as a merry adjunct to treatment. J
2Lemon Balm- Works with nerves to relax painful stimuli. Cools. Apply salve to painful herpetic ulcerations.
Licorice Root-Systemic anti-inflammatory. Helps in formula to soothe pain.
1Lobelia- Antispasmodic action relaxes spasms of the respiratory system, especially during spastic cough.
Mullein- Lubricates synovial membranes of joints along with Solomon’s seal. Especially helpful with strained back muscles surrounding the vertebra.
Nettle- Nourishing/ mineralizing. Application of the sting itself is helpful with arthritis and joint discomfort although the sting is uncomfortable.
2Peach- We don’t often think of this remedy; however peach- from the rose family- is cooling and draws heat from abdominal organs. Effective for spasms causing gas and colic.
Peppermint- Anti-inflammatory that relaxes spasms of digestion, relieving colic and flatulence.
Prickly Ash- Remedial for nerve damage with symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain. Equalizes nerve balance; side-to-side. Bell’s palsy. Specific for severe agonizing nerve pain.
Salicins: Often called “Herbal Aspirins,” according to Jill Stansbury, the following herbs are “better tolerated, have fewer side effects, and are more readily excreted by the kidneys, liver, and intestines than are pharmaceuticals.” Aspirin itself, can be harmful to the stomach.
Black Cohosh- As above
Black Haw – As Above
Cottonwood- Soothes sore joints and muscles; Anti-inflammatory for arthritis. Cottonwood oil from the buds is soothing for chest aches secondary to bronchitis.
Cramp Bark – As above
Indian Pipe- Muscle pain.
Meadowsweet - Healing to stomach mucosa. For achy joints, arthritic pain, and headache with indigestion.
Sweet Birch- Muscle and joint Pain. (External Essential oil In carrier Oil. Low Dose)
Willow- Joint pain; osteoarthritis; headaches; and injuries.
Wintergreen – Used externally for muscle and joint pain. (Low dose Essential Oil)
Skullcap- Antispasmodic that relaxes skeletal muscle, relieving pain, allowing sleep.
[True] Solomon’s Seal- Musculo-skeletal pain. “Moistens joints; tightens or loosens tendons and ligaments; strengthens and repairs joint damage; soothes or even cures many kinds of arthritis of the joints; and works nicely with repetitive injury problems such as tennis elbow, jogger’s knee and carpal tunnel syndrome.” [Matthew Wood]
Sweet Clover- Nerve pain; especially spinal injury with headache. Migraine. Peripheral neuropathy and neuralgia.
St. John’s Wort- Anti-inflammatory; astringent; nervine. Especially helpful for nerve pain- sciatica and rheumatism. For nerve injury… St. J’s Wort oil (from fresh plant) is especially helpful as a massage for peripheral neuropathy.
Teasel – Anti-inflammatory. Torn connective tissues; torn musculature. Useful with Lyme’s disease.
1Valerian- Antispasmodic; nervine. Mild pain reliever. Conducive to sleep.
3White Oak Bark- Powerful astringent. Varicose veins, hemorrhoids. Useful in gum and teeth conditions. Gargle and mouthwash is said to cure dental cavities.
3Witch Hazel- Astringent; anti-inflammatory. Drains moisture and swelling. Hemorrhoids/ varicosities. Sore breasts.
1Wild Lettuce Herb- Analgesic; nervine; antispasmodic. Colic and dysmenorrhea. Muscular pains due to rheumatism.
2Yarrow- Antispasmodic; anti-inflammatory. Pulls away heat.
In conclusion, you will remember that pain is caused by injury, inflammation, or spasm. You will notice here that there are few purely analgesic herbs. Most herbs interact with tissues- decreasing swelling; cooling or warming; soothing; or diminishing inflammation. Herbs are utilized in conjunction with each other and with ameliorations that intervene to diffuse pain- like rest. So many of you ask how to stop relying on pharmaceuticals. You can accomplish this by knowing whether you have the ability to pace yourself during pain- to listen to the messages your body gives you and begin to comfort yourself with rest, elevation of the affected part, heat or cool, and remedies that go directly to the cause of your pain. With the help of a skilled herbalist, you can put together an herbal regimen that will decrease your pain with the hope of healing its cause. This takes time. You have to decide whether you have the time to invest in your course of therapy.
I am certain that I have not mentioned all herbs that intersect with the elements of pain. However, if you utilize your “bodytalk;” if you rationalize what your body is going through- I hope that this list will help you use herbs and a regimen that will forestall reliance on prescription medication.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MEDICAL HERBALISM THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF HERBAL MEDICINE DAVID HOFFMANN
For an inclusive list of pain information, visit www.Herbcraft.org for a list of Master Herbalist’s Articles about specific pain-
And an explicitly informative article about Back Pain. JIM McDONALD
THE PRACTICE OF TRADITIONAL WESTERN Herbalism MATTHEW WOOD
As a child in the hospital, I can recall the voice of my favorite nurse- after all these years. I tried to follow that memory, as I dealt with my own patients- speaking softly - especially when they were in pain. Simple interventions often ease pain and discomfort. One cannot qualify the soft touch of a hand or the comfort of a tender voice when pain comes to call. Pain is often defined by location, quality and intensity. It is not unusual to qualify pain intensity on the “scale of 1 to 10.” Pain can be fleeting or constant; sharp or dull; acute or chronic; localized or diffuse. It may come in waves or initiate one place but seem to be felt in another.
The discomfort of pain is sometimes hard to describe.
In babies, pain can be visceral- that is to say originating from the internal organs- like colic. With children, pain often comes from injury- like leg cramps from running all day. With adults, pain can come from injury- or it comes from inflammation.
Any discussion of pain will involve our nation’s dependence on pain medication. In truth, prescription pain medication is the most effective modality to eradicate pain. There is no herb as effective to “blot out” pain as narcotic prescription medication. Herein lies the problem. There is certainly benefit to be derived from pain eradication. We want it to stop! However, the con-component of pain therapy is usually REST. Most pain, caused by strain or inflammation demands rest for complete healing. Strong pain prescriptions lead us to premature belief that we are well before we really are. Because of this “honeymoon” from pain; we reengage in activities that prolong the stress and strain- re-injuring the area we are treating. Re-injury necessitates re-medication; incurring a vicious cycle of dependence.
I have arthritis in most of my joints. I have noticed that – over time- my knees will become inflamed; or my shoulders will “hurt like anything.” What I have also noticed is that over time- if I care for myself- the pain and inflammation wanes. I am not a spring chicky, so I know that Arthritis is my lot in life. Arthritis is an inflammation. Most of us who have it have some degree of overall body inflammation at all times. It “flares” in our joints.
David Winston calls inflammation as we age “inflamm-aging” and discusses it at length in his book about “ADAPTOGENS.”
I mentioned that I take care of myself. By this I mean that over the years I know what works for me. Sometimes it takes several weeks or months for my knees or shoulders to feel better. I know that this is the course of my condition and I do my best to be my own advocate for pain relief. I do not take prescription medications or joint injections; but I do follow a regimen of rest, massage, heat, and herbs. This is what works for me. I have learned this by understanding my body. If we think about it, we know our bodies much better than anyone who sees us for seven to fifteen minutes once a month or once a year. We have been in this body for years: feeling its heartbeat; breathing its breath; seeing its visions; smelling its odors; and hearing its whistles, pops, and cracks! Taking stock of your “body talk” is the most important thing you can do to keep you on the road to good health. Pain is a warning that something is not working correctly. It is an important message from your body. Ameliorating the cause of pain is as important as alleviating pain itself.
So where does pain come from? Visceral pain comes from the “soft inside” of our cavities. It can be caused by inflammation, impediment, or injury. Musculo-skeletal pain can also be caused by inflammation or injury. Nerve pain may be caused by impediment (impingement), injury, or be secondary to inflammation, as well.
Sometimes, we know exactly why we have pain. We touched a hot burner or we stepped on a nail. However, we may not always know exactly why we have pain. I would never discourage anyone from seeking the opinion of their physician; Acute and surgical pain should be the prerogative of your physician. I would, however, encourage you to listen to your “bodytalk.” Often, trips to the doctor can be forestalled by applying basic remedial techniques. You may not always know what is causing your pain, but you can often be “Sherlocky” and deduce the cause. Once you determine the cause you can take steps to intercede on your own behalf.
First, pain can be acute (sudden onset, short duration) or chronic (over a long time.) You may feel the “pop” in your back as you bend unnaturally, or you may not feel pain for hours or days. You may notice a “crick” in your neck when you awake in the morning. You may notice that you have abdominal pain and bloating after eating certain foods. Any place in your body can reflect discord/ pain.
Remember, we said that pain can be from injury or from inflammation.
Acute injuries like obvious bleeding and broken bones need immediate medical attention. However, subtle injuries can often be managed at home.
Let’s look at some remedies for injury.
Splint the area to prevent movement until you determine its extent. For the most part, this means REST.
*Apply cool compresses to inhibit the injury process, then heat to bring blood to the area. This is a much debated theory. Apply hot? Or cold? For the most part, cold inhibits swelling- which keeps pain at bay. Heat brings blood to the area providing an immediate “inflammatory” process of cleanse and rebuild.
*If you can, immerse the area in warm herbed water, or use compresses dipped in herbal infusions.
*Proceed through the healing process with massage, Yoga, or gentle stretching.
Remedies for Inflammation.
Remember that anything with the suffix “itis” is an inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s own process of combat. Outward signs of inflammation are heat, redness, swelling; and because of the swelling: pain. Blood filled with phagocytes remove pathogens and wastes from the area as temperature rises. Redness is a sign of the increased blood supply. Swelling comes from increased capillary permeability at the site. Both blood and lymph are at work here. Blood bringing combatants; lymph sumping away the dross.
*Help the process by applying warm compresses. Heat with moisture gives deeper relief than heat alone.
HERBS THAT HELP Pain do so by decreasing inflammation; relaxing spasms; moving secretions; and by soothing nerves. One way Anti-inflammatories work is by inhibiting target enzymes that stimulate capillary fragility and permeability. That means that they work to disarm degenerative processes. Antispasmodics relax the autonomic nervous system, but not necessarily the central nervous system. That means they facilitate relaxation of muscles without sedation. Stimulators move blood into the area to warm and flush out impurities. Astringents drain tissues of excess fluid relieving pressure. Nervines soothe both external and internal nerves. Herbs can be selective- specific to an area or tissue; or indirect- acting with process to relieve pressure or spasm. Often, they work well in combination- or in sequence.
Herbs (1) below are acrid and astringent… and as such are antispasmodic in action. For the most part, antispasmodics relieve tension in the tissues.
Herbs (2) below are cooling and sour…and as such pull heat from the tissues decreasing pain.
Herbs (3) below are astringent… and as such pull fluid from the tissues.
Herbs (4) below are stimulating… and as such warm and move blood into the tissues.
1Agrimony- Relieves pain by loosening spasms. Helpful for tension headaches; ureteral spasms (during stone expulsion); menstrual pain; bowel spasms (colitis); hemorrhoids; and ulceration of the skin and mucous membranes.
Arnica- Topically massaged into (unbroken) skin over painful muscles and joints. Homeopathically before and after surgery to escalate healing; and to move bruises out of the tissues after injury.
1Blue Vervain –Relieves tension in sprains and strains; headache and neck pain.
1Black Cohosh – Contains salicin. Tincture of the fresh plant (Jim McDonald) to address muscle pain- relieves inflammation and increases circulation.
Black haw- Relieves uterine cramps; bearing down cramps; after-cramps. Menstrual cramps that shoot down the legs.
1Boneset - Antispasmodic relief of aches and pains with influenza.
Calendula – Lymphatic. External infusion resolves swelling.
California Poppy- Sedative. Antispasmodic for gall bladder pain and colic in children.
1Catnip – Spasms of the stomach, with gas or colic.
1Chamomile- Sedative for “babies of any age” (Matthew Wood). Relaxes nerves.
Comfrey- Topically and internally heals wounds, causing tissue regeneration. Caution should be taken so the wound edges do not close before the internal margins, sealing the wound before deep healing occurs.
Clove oil- Anesthetic. Helpful with painful dental conditions.
Cramp bark – Anti- inflammatory nervine relaxes voluntary and uterine muscular spasm. Menstrual cramps that wrap around the pelvis to the lower back.
Dill- “Gripe Water.” Antispasmodic for children’s colic.
4Ginger- Internally warming, helps especially with un-digestion- where food lays in the stomach. Externally warming… Ginger foot baths to warm muscles and disperse abdominal cramps. Ginger oil massage to relieve muscle spasms.
1Hops- Relaxes smooth muscles. Ureteral spasm- passing stones.
3Horse Chestnut- Relief of damp, boggy vessels. Homeopathic internally. Salve or cream externally astringes neuro-muscular tension.
Horsetail- Richest source of plant silica- strengthening connective tissue matrix. Important ally in connective tissue injury- with Solomon’s Seal. Broken bones; torn cartilage and ligaments.
Jamaican Dogwood – Tincture can be applied topically to remedy muscle constriction with concurrent nerve pain.
1Kava Kava- Useful to relieve tension surrounding pain. Try Rosemary’s Zoom Balls (recipe on my website) as a merry adjunct to treatment. J
2Lemon Balm- Works with nerves to relax painful stimuli. Cools. Apply salve to painful herpetic ulcerations.
Licorice Root-Systemic anti-inflammatory. Helps in formula to soothe pain.
1Lobelia- Antispasmodic action relaxes spasms of the respiratory system, especially during spastic cough.
Mullein- Lubricates synovial membranes of joints along with Solomon’s seal. Especially helpful with strained back muscles surrounding the vertebra.
Nettle- Nourishing/ mineralizing. Application of the sting itself is helpful with arthritis and joint discomfort although the sting is uncomfortable.
2Peach- We don’t often think of this remedy; however peach- from the rose family- is cooling and draws heat from abdominal organs. Effective for spasms causing gas and colic.
Peppermint- Anti-inflammatory that relaxes spasms of digestion, relieving colic and flatulence.
Prickly Ash- Remedial for nerve damage with symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain. Equalizes nerve balance; side-to-side. Bell’s palsy. Specific for severe agonizing nerve pain.
Salicins: Often called “Herbal Aspirins,” according to Jill Stansbury, the following herbs are “better tolerated, have fewer side effects, and are more readily excreted by the kidneys, liver, and intestines than are pharmaceuticals.” Aspirin itself, can be harmful to the stomach.
Black Cohosh- As above
Black Haw – As Above
Cottonwood- Soothes sore joints and muscles; Anti-inflammatory for arthritis. Cottonwood oil from the buds is soothing for chest aches secondary to bronchitis.
Cramp Bark – As above
Indian Pipe- Muscle pain.
Meadowsweet - Healing to stomach mucosa. For achy joints, arthritic pain, and headache with indigestion.
Sweet Birch- Muscle and joint Pain. (External Essential oil In carrier Oil. Low Dose)
Willow- Joint pain; osteoarthritis; headaches; and injuries.
Wintergreen – Used externally for muscle and joint pain. (Low dose Essential Oil)
Skullcap- Antispasmodic that relaxes skeletal muscle, relieving pain, allowing sleep.
[True] Solomon’s Seal- Musculo-skeletal pain. “Moistens joints; tightens or loosens tendons and ligaments; strengthens and repairs joint damage; soothes or even cures many kinds of arthritis of the joints; and works nicely with repetitive injury problems such as tennis elbow, jogger’s knee and carpal tunnel syndrome.” [Matthew Wood]
Sweet Clover- Nerve pain; especially spinal injury with headache. Migraine. Peripheral neuropathy and neuralgia.
St. John’s Wort- Anti-inflammatory; astringent; nervine. Especially helpful for nerve pain- sciatica and rheumatism. For nerve injury… St. J’s Wort oil (from fresh plant) is especially helpful as a massage for peripheral neuropathy.
Teasel – Anti-inflammatory. Torn connective tissues; torn musculature. Useful with Lyme’s disease.
1Valerian- Antispasmodic; nervine. Mild pain reliever. Conducive to sleep.
3White Oak Bark- Powerful astringent. Varicose veins, hemorrhoids. Useful in gum and teeth conditions. Gargle and mouthwash is said to cure dental cavities.
3Witch Hazel- Astringent; anti-inflammatory. Drains moisture and swelling. Hemorrhoids/ varicosities. Sore breasts.
1Wild Lettuce Herb- Analgesic; nervine; antispasmodic. Colic and dysmenorrhea. Muscular pains due to rheumatism.
2Yarrow- Antispasmodic; anti-inflammatory. Pulls away heat.
In conclusion, you will remember that pain is caused by injury, inflammation, or spasm. You will notice here that there are few purely analgesic herbs. Most herbs interact with tissues- decreasing swelling; cooling or warming; soothing; or diminishing inflammation. Herbs are utilized in conjunction with each other and with ameliorations that intervene to diffuse pain- like rest. So many of you ask how to stop relying on pharmaceuticals. You can accomplish this by knowing whether you have the ability to pace yourself during pain- to listen to the messages your body gives you and begin to comfort yourself with rest, elevation of the affected part, heat or cool, and remedies that go directly to the cause of your pain. With the help of a skilled herbalist, you can put together an herbal regimen that will decrease your pain with the hope of healing its cause. This takes time. You have to decide whether you have the time to invest in your course of therapy.
I am certain that I have not mentioned all herbs that intersect with the elements of pain. However, if you utilize your “bodytalk;” if you rationalize what your body is going through- I hope that this list will help you use herbs and a regimen that will forestall reliance on prescription medication.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MEDICAL HERBALISM THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF HERBAL MEDICINE DAVID HOFFMANN
For an inclusive list of pain information, visit www.Herbcraft.org for a list of Master Herbalist’s Articles about specific pain-
And an explicitly informative article about Back Pain. JIM McDONALD
THE PRACTICE OF TRADITIONAL WESTERN Herbalism MATTHEW WOOD