Herbal Remedies For Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common musculoskeletal problem that affects your wrists. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, one of the most significant nerves in the upper extremities, becomes entrapped, or compressed, at your wrist. Some herbal remedies may provide relief from carpal tunnel syndrome, although you should always meet with your doctor to discuss risks, alternatives and procedures before taking herbal remedies.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome may be caused by performing repetitive hand movements and occurs most commonly in people whose jobs involve pinching and gripping movements with bent wrists. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are numbness and tingling in your hands and fingers, pain that radiates throughout your arm and weakness in your hand muscles and grip strength. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men.

Effective Herbal Remedies

According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," carpal tunnel-related symptoms are often worse in the morning or at night. Effective herbal remedies for carpal tunnel syndrome, notes Balch, include aloe vera, devil's claw, yarrow, yucca, bromelain, boswellia, butcher's broom, capsicum, corn silk, parsley, ginkgo, gravel root, marshmallow root, St. John's wort, skullcap, wintergreen oil and zhen gu shi, which is an herb used in Chinese medicine to ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Featured Herb

Skullcap is an herb that is often used in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Skullcap relieves muscle spasms, pain and stress. Skullcap has been used by herbalists and other health care practitioners to treat a variety of problems, including anxiety, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, headache, hyperactivity, nervous disorders and rheumatism. Skullcap also helps improve your circulation and strengthen your heart contractions. The leaves and shoots of the skullcap plant are used in herbal medicines. This herb should not be given to children under six, notes Balch.

Warning

Before taking herbal remedies to treat your health problems, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tell your physician that you are interested in using natural treatment methods such as herbs. Your physician can provide you with helpful information about dosage, what herbs are safe for you to take and what side effects you may experience. Herbal remedies can have powerful effects on your body and should always be used judiciously. Pregnant women have a greater risk for complications when taking certain herbs.