Nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, is pain that originates from damage to or dysfunction within the nervous system, as opposed to activation of pain receptors, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Nerve pain can develop after a disease or following surgery or trauma at any level of the nervous system. Symptoms can range from burning to aching or exaggerated painful responses to non-painful stimuli. Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach and certain herbs have been found to be useful in some cases. As with all remedies, consult a qualified health care professional to determine the most appropriate course of therapy.
Shu-jing-huo-xue-tang
Shu-jing-huo-xue-tang, an herbal formula comprised of 17 different herbs, is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chronic pain syndromes. A study published in the 2010 "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested the use of Shu-jing-huo-xue-tang for neuropathic pain on rats with sciatic nerve neuropathy and found that the herbal remedy was effective at reducing hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain and that the result was long-lasting.
Clove
A gel made of clove extract might serve as a suitable replacement for the drug benzocaine as a topical anesthetic, according to a study published in the 2006 "Journal of Dentistry." The study gave 73 volunteer participants one of four different preparations, one of clove, one of benzocaine, and one of a placebo resembling each of the two substances. Both clove and benzocaine significantly reduced pain response compared to placebo with no appreciable difference between the two.
Cannabis
Cannabis has been the subject of recent studies exploring methods to relieve or manage chronic neuropathic pain. It's a condition in which pharmaceutical drugs often fail to bring relief, affecting 1 to 2 percent of the adult population. Cannabis is reputed to improve sleep and mood in some individuals. In a study published in the 2010 "Canadian Medical Association Journal" four dosage levels --- from zero to 9.4 percent of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis --- were administered to participants with post-traumatic or post-surgical neuropathic pain. Participants consumed the THC by smoking 25 g three times per day for five days. Results at the lower three levels were insignificant. The group receiving 9.4 percent THC reported reduced intensity of pain, improved ability to fall asleep and improved sleep. Side effects included headache, dry eyes, burning sensation in areas affected by neuropathic pain, dizziness, numbness and cough. The researchers call for further long-term safety and efficacy studies on the use of cannabis for nerve pain. Though federal laws prohibit the use of cannabis, some states have legalized use for medicinal purposes and regulate patient access to this controversial herb.
References
- PubMed: "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Anti-Hypersensitivity Effects of Shu-jing-huo-xue-tang, a Chinese Herbal Medicine, in CCI-Neuropathic Rats; 2010
- PubMed: "Journal of Dentistry"; The Effect of Clove and Benzocaine vs. Placebo as Topical Anesthetics; 2006
- PubMed: "Canadian Medical Association Journal"; Smoked Cannabis for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial; 2010
