Herbal Medicine For Pain
10 different ways herbs can help with pain.
Searching for alternatives.
I know how frustrating pain can be.
One thing we can all agree on is that pain puts the brakes on life. It can be scary, stressful, and at times isolating. And more than anything, we just want to get back to normal life.
You’re probably reading this because you’re tired of conventional treatments for pain and you’re looking for natural alternatives that are free of unwanted side effects.
But before you dive into the world of herbs it’s important to know that there are no herbal substitutes for powerful pain killers like acetaminophen or oxycontin.
Drugs and plants work in completely different ways.
Plant medicines that address pain are comparatively gentle, and have broad-spectrum systemic effects. For example, many of the herbs that provides pain relief, also alleviate anxiety, aid sleep, release muscle tension, and promote general relaxation. And thats because they affect the nervous system as a whole. They don’t just tackle an isolated symptom.
10 ways herbs relieve pain.
There are ten different ways that herbs address pain by:
1. Providing gentle analgesic pain-relief.
2. Lowering pain sensitivity.
3. Relaxing the nervous system.
4. Easing stress and anxiety.
5. Reducing inflammation.
6. Releasing muscle tension and muscle spasm.
7. Facilitating better sleep.
8. Healing and repairing damaged tissue.
9. Promoting blood circulation and reducing joint stiffness.
10. Improving the body’s overall stress response.
At Urban Healer, we create holistic pain-relief strategies that utilize a wide variety of herbs. The goal is to address pain by raising a persons overall level of health from the inside out.
Here is a sneak peek at some of our favourites from my soon to be launched ebook 20 Herbs For Pain.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Gotu kola is an Ayurvedic nervine trophorestorative from India, where it is classified as a Rasayana medication. Rasayana’s are herbal remedies that provide deep nourishment for the body after periods of depletion, and are considered to improve longevity by slowing the effects of aging.
Gotu kola is a nervine trophorestorative.
Gotu Kola has a calming influence on the nervous system, and balances the stress hormones - cortisol and adrenaline. It’s widely used as a wound healing remedy that facilitates repair and regeneration of both brain and nerve tissue. Gotu kola is known to combat stress and mental fatigue, improve memory and learning, and promote wound healing. It is an ideal herb for neuropathic pain and general restoration of the nervous system.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb and is a personal favourite of mine for enhanced mental and physical performance. It is a fast-acting tonic that lifts your spirits and your energy when stress levels are high. It takes the edge off of mild depression and anxiety, and alleviates fatigue.
Rhodiola, also known as rose root, has a long history of use in Asia, Russia, and Northern Europe. Its considered to be a longevity tonic that was used to increase strength and vitality by the Viking explorers.
Rhodiola is an anti-inflammatory adaptogen.
It’s is a very well studied herb, whose benefits has been proven by science. It has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can provide relief for chronic migraines, arthritis, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Celery seed is an often overlooked herbal anti-inflammatory that is effective for all forms of arthritic pain. Studies show that celery seed is as effective as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen in treating arthritis, while protecting against the stomach irritation typically caused by NSAIDs.
Celery seed’s anti-inflammatory properties stem from its high antioxidant levels, but it has a host of other therapeutic properties as well. It’s a mineral-rich plant that gently stimulates the kidneys to flush irritating metabolites from the body, which can contribute to disc and joint degeneration. It is also effective for reducing fluid congestion which can lead to joint stiffness.
Celery seed is an anti-inflammatory analgesic.
Celery seed helps transform the internal terrain by facilitating detoxification through the kidneys. Additionally, the volatile oils found within celery seed have a calming effect on the nerves and help reduce muscle spasms. It is an ideal anti-inflammatory for chronic pain affecting the spine, joints, and urinary tract, and combines really well with stinging nettle to support healthy bones and joints.
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica)
Amla is a potent antioxidant herb from India, which has shown to neutralize free radicals at twice the capacity as açai berry and up to 17 times that of pomegranate. It is beneficial for chronic pain conditions that have an inflammatory or auto-immune component. It is also a good choice for pain with joint degeneration or tissue damage from repetitive motion injury.
Amla is an nutritive adaptogen.
Amla berry is a nutrient-dense super fruit and is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. For this reason, alma is used to accelerate repair and regeneration of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and gastrointestinal mucosa. It stabilizes connective tissue and helps to prevent inflammatory damage from degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and IBS.
Amla combines very well with turmeric to address chronic inflammation and protect against its damaging effects. Together they are an antioxidant power duo.
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Ginger is an excellent circulatory stimulant that controls inflammation, provides analgesic pain relief, and relaxes muscle tension and muscle spasms. It is specific for any painful conditions that have a cold or stagnant quality, as ginger’s warmth will bring vitality and life back to tired muscles and joints.
In clinical studies, ginger has proven as effective as ibuprofen in treating osteoarthritis, especially when it is triggered by cold, damp weather.
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory analgesic.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginger is classified as a warming, diffusive stimulant and is considered a herbal synergist that improves the bioavailability of other herbs in a formula.
It is very effective for reducing joint stiffness, improving fluid drainage and joint mobility. It’s a fabulous remedy for both internal and topical use, as it can be applied directly to joints and muscles in the form of a salve or rub.
