Herbs for Neuralgia

Neuralgia is sudden, sharp and persistent nerve pain caused by irritation or damage to the nerves. According to the Mayo Clinic, neuralgia occurs in many forms, including trigeminal neuralgia in the facial area and postherpetic neuralgia after an outbreak of herpes or shingles. Doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants, antidepressants or anticonvulsants to control the pain and muscle spasms of neuralgia, but these drugs have unpleasant side effects. Herbal remedies focus on relieving the pain and relaxing muscles and damaged nerves.

Black cohosh

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has antispasmodic properties and is an effective herb to relax muscles and calm nerves. Muscle spasms often accompany neuralgia outbreaks. Black cohosh can also relieve nerve pain, since it contains the pain killer salicylic acid, a plant chemical similar to the active ingredient in aspirin. Herbalist David Hoffmann, in his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," recommends black cohosh for nerve pain, especially sciatica.

Aconite

Aconite (Aconitum napellus) is a popular analgesic herb in traditional Chinese medicine and Indian ayurvedic medicine. The tincture is used topically to relieve nerve pain. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink state that aconitine, aconite's main alkaloid, is a useful treatment for facial neuralgia. Aconite is a potent herb and may be toxic in high doses.

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil (Mentha X piperita) contains plant chemicals that effectively relieve pain and relax spasms in the nerves and muscles. Peppermint essential oil is rich in antispasmodic ingredients, including carvacrol and eugenol, and the leaf contains the antispasmodics anethole, azulene and menthol. Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink state that peppermint oil is used topically to relieve the pain of neuralgia, but it is unsafe to apply it to the face of small children.

Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a potent anticonvulsant and nerve relaxant. Herbalist David Hoffmann recommends passionflower for shingles---nerve pain caused by herpes zoster virus. Passionflower has actions in common with conventional anticonvulsant drugs that are often prescribed for neuralgia. These drugs enhance the neurotransmitter GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, that inhibits nerve excitation. GABA calms the nerves, relieving spasms of neuralgia. Passionflower also increases the availability of GABA and its ability to calm nerves. A study reported in the August 2007 issue of "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine" found that an extract of passionflower was effective in treating convulsions in animals either by increasing GABA activity or blocking glutamate, another excitatory neurotransmitter.