Nerve pain, also known as neuralgia, is pain that manifests along the path of a nerve. PubMed Health states that the cause of neuralgia is usually unknown, although certain conditions, such as diabetes, shingles and chronic renal insufficiency, and medications may provoke pain in one or more of your nerves. Certain organic herbs have historically been used to treat nerve pain. Meet with your family physician to review herb-related topics and to determine if herbs are right for you.
Nerve Pain
Nerve pain, the National Health Service of the United Kingdom notes, is usually severe. Two of the most common types of nerve pain are trigeminal neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia. Some of the most common symptoms associated with neuralgia include reduced function or muscle weakness, heightened sensitivity to light touch, numbness in the patch of skin innervated by the affected nerve, pain located near the surface of your body and painful movement or range of motion.
Organic Herbs
Some organic herbs may help treat your nerve pain, although few herbs have been extensively studied using rigorous contemporary scientific research methods for this particular condition. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," nutrition expert Phyllis A. Balch notes that the following herbs may be helpful in treating your neuralgia: licorice extract, cayenne, oat straw, St. John's wort, skullcap, willow bark, Jamaican dogwood and feverfew. Non-herbal nutritional supplements such as omega-6 fatty acids and gamma-linolenic acid may also be helpful.
A Helpful Botanical
A helpful botanical remedy in the treatment of nerve pain may be passionflower. Passionflower, Balch notes, has been used by eclectic health care practitioners for many years to treat insomnia, anxiety and neuritis. Neuritis is inflammation of one or more of your nerves and is commonly associated with pain and occasionally with motor dysfunction. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some scientists think that this herbal remedy works by boosting your GABA levels. GABA is an important chemical in your brain that induces relaxation.
Warning
Complications associated with neuralgia are often caused by conventional medical treatments for this condition, including drugs and surgery, PubMed Health states. Neuralgia may be debilitating in some people, causing missed work and significantly reducing your quality of life. Exercise great caution when using herbs because some herbs may bring about undesired side effects. Consult your doctor to discuss treatment strategies that may best help treat your ailment. Ask your doctor if herbs will interact with other medications you might be taking.
References
- PubMed Health: Neuralgia
- National Health Service: Neuralgia
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Passionflower
