Your peripheral nervous system, or PNS, comprises all the nerve cells and tissues outside of your brain and spinal cord, also known as your central nervous system, or CNS. The peripheral nerves carry sensory messages---such as pain, heat, cold---from your organs and limbs back to your CNS. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. If peripheral nerves of your skin are damaged, a condition known as peripheral neuropathy, sensory receptors may become oversensitized and exaggerate the pain messages they carry to your brain. Herbs and vitamins may help calm your peripheral nerves naturally. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal and vitamin treatment.
Herbal and Vitamin Actions
Herbs and vitamins act on peripheral nerves of the skin in diverse ways. Nervine tonic herbs nourish and calm traumatized nerve tissue. Nervine relaxants relieve pain. Vitamins that ease stress may also help calm peripheral nerve tissues. Check with a qualified practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of herbs and vitamins for the peripheral nerves of the skin.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is a nervine tonic and relaxant. Traditional healers use the aerial parts to treat wounds, sunburn and mild depression. St. John's wort also has sedative and pain-relieving actions and is especially useful for peripheral nerve pain due to shingles and facial neuralgia. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, recommends St. John's wort teas or lotions to relax peripheral nerves. This herb may cause photosensitization.
Oats
Oats, or Avena sativa, is a native Mediterranean grass and traditional herbal tonic for the nervous system. Herbalists use the straw to reduce skin inflammation and peripheral nerve irritation that accompanies shingles. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink suggest that the calming effect of oat straw is due to the alkaloid known as gramine. Oats may cause gas and bloating in sensitive individuals.
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B complex is a group of water-soluble vitamins that support your nervous system and protect your skin. Deficiencies of some of these vitamins can lead to skin diseases and nerve damage. In their 2000 book, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, suggests using vitamin B complex for shingles, which can cause peripheral neuropathy. Herbalist David Hoffmann also recommends B vitamins to reduce stress and support your nervous system. Follow your doctor's dosage suggestions.
References
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D.; 2000
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