Herbal Healings For Muscle Aches

Aching muscles are a natural consequence of a strenuous workout session or unaccustomed activity. HealthyFitStrong.com notes that painful, inflamed muscles result from microtrauma to muscle fibers. Allowing the muscle to rest speeds recovery. MayoClinic.com notes that muscle aches can indicate underlying medical conditions, including thyroid disease and myopathies; if you have unexplained muscle aches, see your doctor. Many people turn to herbal remedies, such as ginger and willow bark, to treat sore muscles. Check with your doctor before using herbs or supplements.

Ginger Features

Ginger, botanically known as Zingiber officinale, has a long history of culinary and medicinal use. According to Plant Cultures, written references to ginger date back to 400 B.C. The underground stem, or rhizome, is a mainstay of Chinese Traditional Medicine, where it is used to treat nausea, heart conditions and arthritis. University of Maryland Medical Center notes that ginger's therapeutic properties may come from its phenol compounds, including gingerols and shogoals. Ginger also contains volatile oils, beta-bisabolene, phytosterols and zingiberene. Drugs.com adds that more than 400 different compounds have been identified in ginger, and credits it with anti-inflammatory, antinausea and pain-relieving effects.

Ginger Applications and Dosages

University of Maryland Medical Center advises brewing a ginger tea for pain relief by steeping 2 tbsp. freshly shredded ginger in hot water; you can drink the decoction three times a day. Alternately, you can take 2 to 4 g per day of fresh ginger root. The Center adds that topical ginger oil can also be rubbed into a painful muscle or joint. Drugs.com states that ginger may interact with prescription medications. Ask your doctor before using ginger, and don't use it if you're pregnant or breast feeding.

Expert Insight

According to a scientific review conducted by Reinhard Grzanna and colleagues and published in the summer 2005 issue of "Journal of Medicinal Food," ginger suppresses the synthesis of inflammation-causing prostaglandins and shares pharmacological actions with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, the researchers note that ginger can modulate the biochemical pathways that are activated in chronic inflammation.

Willow Bark Features

The medicinal use of the bark of the willow tree, botanically known as Salix alba, extends back to 4000 B.C; physicians in ancient Greece advised their patients to chew it to reduce pain and inflammation and lower fever. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, willow bark contains salicin, a substance similar to aspirin; although salicin acts more slowly than aspirin, its pain-relieving effects may be even longer lasting. Drugs.com adds that willow bark contains polyphenols and flavonoids as well, and states that willow bark has analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Willow Bark Applications and Dosage

Willow bark is available in tablets, capsules, powders and liquids. Drugs.com says that willow bark has been used for pain relief at daily doses of 1 to 3 g of the bark, which corresponds to 60 to 120 mg of salicin. Consult your doctor before taking willow bark for aching muscles; it can interact with prescription medications. If you are allergic to aspirin, or are pregnant or breast feeding, you shouldn't use willow bark at all.