If you are concerned about the side effects of common prescription pain medications, you may feel that natural herbal remedies are worth trying. Ancient people of course didn't have access to the medications available in modern times, and they relied on herbal medications like arnica, menthol, methyl salicylate, white willow bark, devil's claw and cayenne to treat pain.
Expert Insight
According to a review published in the January 2007 issue of "Spine," research supports the use of devil's claw, white willow bark and cayenne for pain relief. Devil's claw had the strongest effect, followed by white willow bark.
Arnica montana is also commonly used for pain relief and to treat bruises, sprains, joint pain and skin infections. According to the Herbal Safety website from the University of Texas, arnica has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic actions, which supports the traditional uses of arnica.
Menthol is the active ingredient of peppermint, and methyl salicylate is the active ingredient in oil of wintergreen. They both have a minty smell, but are different herbs. There is strong evidence that supports the use of menthol and wintergreen for pain relief, and they also have antioxidant and antiseptic qualities.
According to the June 2008 issue of "Neurology," capsaicin depletes substance P, a chemical that conveys nerve messages to the central nervous system. Research indicates it may help the painful neurology of HIV and it is likely it will help the pain of fibromyalgia. Evidence indicates that people with fibromyalgia have more substance P than others without fibromyalgia.
Considerations
Herbal remedies are absorbed slowly, so they take effect more slowly than over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications. They offer relief for mild to moderate pain. Some herbal medicines used for pain treatment are chemically related to aspirin, such as oil of wintergreen and white willow bark. If you cannot take aspirin, avoid using these herbs. Devil's claw potentiates non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofin and aspirin, so taking devil's claw can help you reduce the dose of the NSAID.
Warnings
Essential oils of these herbs should not be applied to the skin undiluted nor should they be ingested. If you are pregnant or lactating, do not use these products without discussing them with your physician. These herbs are probably safe for a healthy person to use, however they are not regulated and dosages have not been determined. If you use herbal supplements, discuss them with your physician to avoid interactions with any prescribed medications you may be taking.
Adverse Reactions
Remember that "herbal" doesn't always mean that a product is safe or has no side effects. While these herbal remedies have been used apparently safely for centuries, it is still possible to be allergic. If you have never used any of these herbs before, do a patch test. Apply a dab of the herbal remedy to your inner arm and cover with a bandage. Check for adverse reactions after 24 hours. If you develop a rash, itch, swelling or redness this indicates you may be allergic to the herb and should not use it.
Learn More About Herbal Pain Relief
There is a plethora of information available on herbal remedies, but it isn't always reliable. Look for books and websites about the uses of herbs that cite scientific research, as well as traditional uses of herbs. Look for specific information about method of administration, whether the herb is taken internally or externally. Trustworthy herbals will give you the dosage, and the contraindications and possible cross-reactions with prescribed medication and other herbs.
References
- "Spine"; Herbal Medicine For Low Back Pain; Gagnier JJ, van Tulder MW, Berman B, Bombardier C; Jan. 2007
- Herbal Safety: Arnica
- "J Clin Rheumatol;" Effect Of a Topical Herbal Cream On The Pain And Stiffness of Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial; McKay L, Gemmell H, Jacobson B, Hayes B; June 2003
- Innovations Report: Adding Menthol to Topical Creams For Osteoarthritis Provides Significant Pain Relief
- "Br J Dermatol;" Accelerated Resolution of Laser-Induced Bruising with Topical 20% Arnica; Leu S, Havey J, White LE, Martin N, Yoo SS, Rademaker AW, Alam M; April 2010
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