The longer pain goes untreated, the worse it gets. This is especially true of foot pain, since we spend so much of our lives on our feet. Herbal remedies, which are derived from plants and herbs, and so are found in nature, are sometimes a good alternative to other types of pain relief in that they're natural and often do not have side effects.
Arnica
Components of the arnica plant are thought to have anti-inflammatory powers that have been used to treat sprains and strains for centuries. It's also a popular homeopathic treatment for plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and can be quite painful.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another herb that's been used for centuries to remedy pain and inflammation. The Yoga Wiz websites touts the effectiveness soaking feet in chamomile tea to treat corns and calluses, and even foot wounds and pain caused by diabetes benefit from chamomile. The website Sore Foot Remedies suggests chamomile foot soaks.
Curcumin
Sore Foot Remedies states that curcumin--the component that gives turmeric its yellow hue--can alleviate foot pain. Curcumin possesses healing properties, and taking the herb three to four times everyday--or a total of 500 to 1,000 mgs--for six weeks may help relieve upper foot pain. Heel That Pain points out that curcumin's anti-inflammatory effects are comparable to the man-made drugs hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprophin.
Cayenne
Cayenne can be applied externally to relieve chronic joint and muscle pain. There are currently two FDA-approved drugs--Zostrix and Axasain--that contain cayenne and are used to treat diabetic foot pain and burning foot syndrome.
The Physicians Select website reports clinical studies have shown that capsaicin--cayenne's most active ingredient--is effective in blocking Substance P, "thought to be the main chemical messenger of pain" to the brain. Those studies, according to the website, found that cayenne can block some of the pain associated with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis as well as diabetic foot pain.
Ginger
Studies have shown ginger to relieve the pains of arthritis, according to Organic Nutrition. The site suggests that the enzyme zingibain found in ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is effective when taken as a tincture, capsule, as a tea or even fresh. You can receive a medicinal dose of ginger simply by preparing food containing the herb.
Boswellia
Needs.com touts the resin extract of boswellia as a natural pain reliever and powerful anti-inflammatory herb. The resin, according to the site, blocks the formation of leukotrienes, which are chemicals that cause inflammation and pain. Research performed in India suggests that boswellia extract is "more beneficial, less toxic and more potent" than man-made drugs that treat rheumatoid disorders such as arthritis, states Morpheme Remedies.com.
