Trigeminal neuralgia is a type of neuropathic facial pain that usually strikes at random. The Facial Pain Association -- formerly known as the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association -- states that this condition may involve painful electric shock-like sensations or a prolonged burning or boring pain in your face. Trigeminal neuralgia is a serious health condition, as it can keep you from performing your activities of daily living. Some herbs may help treat your nerve-related face pain. Talk with your physician about the use of herbal remedies for your ailment.
Trigeminal Neuralgia Information
In most cases, notes IRSA.org, the exact cause of this condition is unclear. About 5 percent of people with trigeminal neuralgia have a tumor compressing their trigeminal nerve as it exits their brain. In some people, a blood vessel may be compressing this nerve. There may also be a link between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis, or MS, as about 5 percent of patients with trigeminal neuralgia also have MS. IRSA.org reports that about 14,000 Americans develop trigeminal neuralgia each year and that approximately 140,000 people in the U.S. have this condition.
Common Herbs
Common herbs used in treating trigeminal neuralgia often have nervine properties, or plant-based medicinal agents that act therapeutically on your nerves to help treat pain or discomfort and support the health and function of your peripheral nerves. Herbs with nervine action, notes naturopathic physician Sharol Tilgner, author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," include rosemary, wood betony, kava kava, motherwort, lemon balm and passionflower. Other remedies that may be beneficial in treating your nerve-related face pain or discomfort include hops, valerian and vervain.
Herb in Focus: Vervain
Vervain may be a helpful herbal remedy in the treatment of your trigeminal neuralgia, although scientific evidence of this herb's ability to treat this condition may currently be lacking. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher, certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," vervain may be helpful in strengthening your nervous system and treating headache, toothache, insomnia and depression. Depression is a condition that may accompany your trigeminal neuralgia, due to the limitations your face pain may place upon your lifestyle and overall well-being.
Additional Information
Trigeminal neuralgia-related pain may become constant and extreme in certain individuals, notes PubMed Health, and your prognosis largely depends on the underlying cause of your trigeminal neuralgia. Treatment may be more likely to succeed if your condition is idiopathic, or not caused by known underlying pathology. If you are considering using herbs to help treat your trigeminal neuralgia, first discuss proper procedures for taking herbs with your primary care provider.
References
- Facial Pain Association: Facial Pain Can Affect Almost Anyone
- IRSA.org: Trigeminal Neuralgia
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- PubMed Health: Trigeminal Neuralgia
