According to the American Academy of Pain Management, approximately 50 million Americans are living with chronic pain and 25 million are suffering with some type of acute pain. Lower back pain, arthritis, bone and joint pain, fibromyalgia and muscle pain are the most common causes. Many over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers may cause negative side effects. Natural herbal pain relievers may provide a safe alternative, although they should not replace conventional medicine. Consult with your health care provider prior to using herbs for pain relief.
History
People have been using herbs as medicine for thousands of years. The oldest historical use of herbs and their use as curative agents dates back to 4,500 years ago in China. The Greeks, Romans, Aztecs, Hindus and Egyptians have all used plants as medicine throughout history. In the 19th century, scientists began extracting active ingredients from plants and used them to make prescription medicines. In 1839, scientists discovered salicylic acid, which is an compound in some plants that can help relieve pain and is the active ingredient found in aspirin today.
Effects
Herbs that provide pain relief may have several different actions in your body. Some herbs may have a direct action on your nerve's pain receptors, thereby desensitizing you to the sensation of pain. Other herbs may help reduce inflammation, which can also help reduce your pain. Furthermore, there are some herbs that may help regenerate damaged tissues and bones, especially those that are beneficial for degenerative conditions like arthritis.
Types
According to The Herb Companion, capsaicin is the active component in chile peppers that can help desensitize your pain sensation and is particularly beneficial for arthritis pain and neuropathy. Devil's Claw is a South African herb that can help relieve back and neck pain, muscular tension and rhematoid arthritis. Another herb called arnica derives from a European flower and is especially helpful in treating pain from traumatic injuries, post-surgery, swelling, sprains and strains. Consult with your health care provider prior to using any of these herbs for pain relief.
Preparation
Pain relieving herbs come in a number of different preparations that you may find at your local pharmacy, health food or supplement store. Some herbs come in capsule or tablet form that you can take by mouth once or twice daily. Some herbs like capsaicin are prepared as topical ointments and creams that you can apply directly to the painful area. Certain herbs such as arnica are also sold as homeopathic preparations and come in oral liquid tinctures or pellets that you dissolve under your tongue.
Safety
Herbal manufacturers are not required to follow quality control guidelines as set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, some products may not contain what is represented on the label or may contain poor quality ingredients. According to Herbal Safety, some companies have established good manufacturing practices--GMP--and adhere to controls and safety checks when manufacturing their products. Therefore, do your research and consult with a professional prior to choosing which product to purchase. Use caution if you are taking medications, are elderly, have severe allergies or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding prior to taking herbal supplements.
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