How to Manage Pain with Herbs

Опубликовал Admin
4-10-2016, 06:30
606
0
There are unlimited herbal remedies available for every ailment you can imagine, perhaps especially those associated with persistent pain. Most reliably, some herbs can help decrease inflammation and the pain it causes. In particular, there are several herbs proven to diminish pain caused by different forms of arthritis. Similarly, recurring back pain can be treated with some herbs. Finally, the capsicum plant provides reliable topical pain relief.

Reducing Arthritic Pain

  1. Apply arnica to your joints. Rub an over-the-counter arnica gel, such as A. Vogel Arnica Gel, directly onto the skin on painful joints 2-3 times a day for three weeks. This will reduce pain as well as stiffness, and improve joint function. Arnica may work especially well in reducing pain in your hands.
    • Arnica gel may also reduce pain associated with swelling, bruises, aches, and sprains. Positive results associated with these uses are less likely.
    • Do not use arnica when pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not apply arnica to damaged skin. Stop using arnica two weeks before any surgery.
    • Talk to your doctor before taking arnica by mouth for any reason, or if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, are taking medications, or are using any other herbs or supplements.
  2. Take devil’s claw root for osteoarthritis. Devil’s claw can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis by decreasing inflammation and swelling. Take 2.6 grams of ground devil’s claw root every day. Products such as Harpadol or Arkopharma contain this amount in each dose. Alternatively, take 2400 mg of devil’s claw extract daily. Devil’s claw extract products include Doloteffin and Ardeypharm.
    • Treatment for osteoarthritic pain with devil’s claw may be equally as effective as treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and even some specific osteoarthritis medication.
    • Talk to your doctor about lowering the amount of NSAIDs you are taking and supplementing your treatment with devil’s claw.
    • Devil’s claw is also often used to fight pain associated with tendonitis, gout, myalgia.
    • Talk to a doctor about taking devil’s claw if you have heart disease, a circulatory disorder, or diabetes. Further, speak with you doctor if you are taking medication, particularly for a stomach or liver ailment.
    • Do not use devil’s claw if you have gallstones or ulcers, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
    • Do not take devil’s claw for over a year.
    • Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, allergic skin reactions, menstrual problems, and changes in blood pressure.
  3. Try Indian Frankincense. This herb, a product of the Boswellia tree, can help reduce inflammation and reduce the pain associated with different types of arthritis, as well as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Take 300 or 400 mg doses via capsule or tablet three times a day. This will especially help prevent cartilage loss and inhibit the autoimmune process that causes pain.
    • If you acquire this herb over the counter, make sure the product you purchase contains at least 60% boswellic acids.
  4. Take Turmeric orally. A chemical called curcumin within turmeric has long been used to prevent and treat inflammatory diseases. Treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and bursitis with capsules of turmeric extract or by eating the actual spice. Take three 400-600mg capsules daily. Alternatively, up to 3g of powdered root throughout the day in 0.5-1g doses. 500mg capsules are specifically recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.
    • Be aware that high doses and extended turmeric intake can contribute to nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort.
    • Avoid turmeric if you take blood thinners, are pregnant, or have gallbladder disease. Stop taking turmeric two weeks before a surgery.
    • Since you can also consume turmeric in medically significant amounts by eating the spice, consider incorporating turmeric into your everyday diet.
  5. Eat the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain, found in pineapples, has been credited with the potential to reduce pain symptoms associated with osteoarthritis, cancer, poor digestion, and muscle soreness. In particular, talk to your doctor about taking around 200mg daily to help treat joint inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
    • Side effects of bromelain use may include gastrointestinal discomfort, an increase in heart rate, and menstrual irregularities. If you are allergic to pineapple, notify your doctor before using bromelain.

Fighting Recurring Back Pain

  1. Use devil’s claw for back pain. The ingredient you’re looking for in devil’s root is ingredient harpagoside. Take sufficient amounts of devil’s claw extract (such as Doloteffin or Ardeypharm) to provide 50-100 mg of harpagoside daily. This treatment may be as effective as some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in treating lower back pain.
    • The packaging of different products will indicate what amount of the extract you need to take to get this amount of harpagoside. Take 2000-4000mg of Doloteffin and Ardeypharm per day to get 50-100mg of the harpagoside per dose.
    • Talk to a doctor about taking devil’s claw if you are taking medication for a stomach or liver ailment, or have a disease related to your heart or your blood.
    • Do not use devil’s claw if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have gallstones or ulcers.
    • You should not take devil’s claw for more than a year. Side effects include gastrointestinal complications, headaches, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, allergic reactions, and changes in blood pressure.
  2. Take willow bark orally. To reduce back pain, take enough willow bark extract to provide 240mg salicin. While a dose as low as 120mg may work, higher doses are more likely to be effective. It will likely take a week to notice reductions in lower back pain.
    • This chemical has effects similar to aspirin, and has been in use since the father of medicine, Hippocrates, was still alive.
    • Willow bark has also been used to treat bursitis, tendinitis, and recurring headaches.
    • Avoid willow bark if you are allergic to salicylates or are sensitive to aspirin.
    • Do not take willow bark for longer than 12 weeks.
    • Side effects may include digestive system discomfort.
    • Talk to your doctor before taking willow bark if you have a blood disorder or are taking medications, and stop using willow bark two weeks before getting surgery. Do not take willow bark while pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease.
  3. See a doctor about persistent back pain. While medications and herbs such as devil’s claw and willow bark may reduce your back pain, it’s important to have back issues addressed. Schedule an appointment to see your doctor at your earliest convenience.
    • Record all the symptoms you’re experiencing that may be related to your back pain and bring this information with you.

Using Capsaicin for Pain Relief

  1. Apply capsaicin to your skin. Capsaicin is a chemical derived from the plant capsicum, and can help fight pain associated with arthritis, nerve pain associated with diseases like HIV and diabetes, and fibromyalgia. If you have any of these conditions, get a tube of capsaicin cream and apply it to areas you’re experiencing pain 3-4 times per day. The full effects of this herb will be felt after 14 days of consecutive treatment.
    • Capsaicin creams are available over the counter and by prescription, and range from 0.025% to 0.075% capsaicin concentrate.
    • Never use capsicum products near the eyes or on areas with sensitive skin. In fact, a particular form of capsaicin is a commonly used ingredient in pepper spray on account of its ability to cause discomfort to the eyes.
    • Side effects include skin irritation, burning, itching, sweating, and runny noses.
  2. Plaster your back with capsicum. A plaster containing capsaicin can be applied daily and left on your skin from 4-8 hours. If interested, speak with a doctor before pursuing this treatment option, and ask their guidance regarding how to go about making a plaster that will be safe for you.
  3. Apply capsaicin to your nostril to relieve headache pain. If you have recurring cluster headaches, a multi-day capsaicin treatment may help reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks. Apply a 0.025% capsaicin cream, such as Zostrix, every day for 7 days. Only apply the cream to the nostril on the side of your head that hurts.
    • Consider applying a topical pain reliever such as lidocaine to the nostril before applying the capsaicin cream, as the latter can cause painful burning.
    • Though the irritation will not cause serious side effects, burning pain may be accompanied by sneezing, watery eyes, and a runny nose. After 5 or so days of repeated use, these effects should subside.
    • Capsaicin cream may also diminish the pain of a migraine headache.
  4. Talk to your doctor about other pain-relieving uses. Capsicum can be used to treat many other conditions as well. In particular, you may find relief from toothache, ulcers, and shingles. Further, if you suffer from prurigo nodularis, an extensive capsaicin regimen may diminish symptoms.
  5. Wash your hands after touching capsaicin cream. Dilute vinegar with water to remove the capsaicin from your hands, as water alone will not do so. This herb can cause burning on sensitive areas of your skin. In particular, be sure never to touch your eyes or use the restroom with capsaicin still on your hands.
  6. Take care when using capsaicin. Avoid using capsicum products when breastfeeding. Never use capsaicin cream on damaged skin. Stop using capsicum products 2 weeks before undergoing surgery. Capsicum products may increase the likelihood of dangerous effects of cocaine use, including heart attack and death.
    • Talk to your doctor before using a capsicum product if you’re using any medications or other herbs, particularly those that slow blood clotting. These include many common over-the-counter pain relievers.
Теги:
Information
Users of Guests are not allowed to comment this publication.