Putting Pain To Rest

There are quite a  number of remedies for pain.

Knowing the type of pain and what it’s associated with is essential when it comes to addressing it naturally and effectively!

This topic is so broad, it cannot be addressed here entirely and still maintain a level of reason with regard to length of reading so don’t expect this to cover all forms, sources, types, causes, and means of practical treatment.

Everyone experiences pain from birth to death and knowing how to address it effectively can make all the difference in the world.  Most pain is caused by inflammation, regardless of what it affects, with exception of nerve or neruopathic pain.  Pain is something we “feel” which can be good or serve a good purpose such as sensing something is too hot or too cold or sharp, or that warns us that can be harmful, but chronic pain isi not good under any circumstances.  It can cause disturbed sleep, or lead or to a low quality of life, leaving some in survivl mode on a permanent basis giving way to depression and mood disorders, and more.  Understanding what is causing your pain is the key to stopping or decreasing it.

There are literally dozens of herbs that have been used since mankind first endured pain.  Again, knowing the type, location, and source of the pain can make a difference in how to treat it. There is internal pain and topical pain.  Internal pain may include headaches, earaches, toothaches, joint pain, muscle pain, nerve pain, and so on.  Topical pain can be from wounds, burns, lacerations, chemicals, nerves, etc.  Then there can be sub-surface pain such as in the fascia which many with Fibromyalgia experience.  There is also emotional pain which may involve some different  sources or applications than what will not be covered here.  And the list goes on and on and on.  Most herbs are used as teas, tinctures (extracts), dried in capsules, poultices, salves, ointments, etc. There are also Homeopathic remedies that are effective which we’ll cover later.  And there are other substances and devices that can help with various types of pain.

Herbs

The list of herbs to address pain is almost endless but includes some common herbs such as Allspice, Aloe vera, Arnica, Ashwagandha, Birch, Black Haw, Bloodroot, Blue Cohosh, Boneset, Boswelia (Frankincense), Bupleurum, Burdock, California Poppy, Caltrop, Cannabis (CBA, CBD, CBG, CBN, Cannabis tincture with CBD and THC), Catnip, Cayenne, Celery, Chamomile, Cloves, Coffee, Coriander, Cornsilk, Corydalis, Crampbark, Eucalyptus, Feverfew, Ginger, Ginkgo, Goldenseal, Green Tea, Ho Shou Wu, Hops, Hydrangea, Juniper, Kava, Kratom (Gold, Green, Red, White, Yellow, and extracts), Lady’s Slipper, Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Lemongrass, Ligusticum, Ligustrum, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Misteltoe, Motherwort, Mullein, Mustard, Myrrh, Nettle, Nutmeg, Oregano, Papaya, Passion Flower, Peony, Peppermint, Peyote, Pleurisy Root, Poke, Poppy, Prickly Ash, Red Clover, Rosemary, Rue, Safflower, Saint John’s Wort, Sarsaparilla, Skullcap, Tea Tree, Thyme, Tienchi Ginseng, Thunder god vine, Turmeric, Uva-ursi, Valerian, Vervain, Walnut, Water Lily, Wild Lettuce, Wild Yam, Willow (White Willow Bark), Wood Betony, Wormwood, Yarrow, Yellow Clover, and Yohimbe.  There are, of course, others as well as those used traditionally in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine and various cultures around the world.  There are Analgesic herbs and there are Anodyne herbs.  Anodynes are stronger.  Some herbs are both.  

A formula that can be used for general pain from herbs is as follows:  
4 tsp. Kava Kava tincture
2 tsp. Willow tincture
2 tsp. Skullcap tincture
2 tsp. Feverfew tincture
1 tsp. Licorice tincture*

Combine the tinctures and store in a 1 oz. amber glass bottle with a dropper. Take 1 dropperful 3 times a day or as needed.
*This should be avoided by those with heart conditions.

Internal Pain –

Some of the more common herbs used for general purposes are Arnica, Bloodroot, Cloves, Geranium, Myrrh, Peony, Rue, Saint John’s Wort, Tea Tree, Tienchi Ginseng, Wormwood, and Yarrow and many others. 

Oils made with these herbs can be very beneficial both internally and topically. 

NOTE:  These are not Essential Oils which are highly concentrated  but oils in which the specific herb has soaked for many days to weeks.  For example, Saint John’s Wort Oil has the ability to regulate neurotransmitters and makes it a potential for nerve pain.  Lavender Oil is good for anxiety and stress; is calming and great for relaxation.  Geranium Oil is good for anxiety, relaxing muscles, and is also anti-microbial.  Bergamot Oil is excellent for neuropathic pain.  Flax or Linseed Oil is a great anti-inflammatory oil as well as having analgesic properties.  However, many Essential Oils can also be used effectively but should be used with caution and most herbalists will state to use these oils externally only or through aromatherapy, unless supervised by a qualified physician or herbalist.

Topical Pain –

For general purposes, pain may be relieved by Arnica montana, Cayenne Pepper, Eucalyptus, Mullein, Rue, Saint John’s Wort, and Tienchi Ginseng.  Many herbs which are often used internally can be applied topically by oils, creams, ointments, poultices, salves, etc.  

Homeopathy for topical pain

• Arnica – for bruises, muscle soreness, and more

Other remedies

IndiCreme Extreme with CBD, Arnica Gel or Cream, CBD Oil, *TENS Units, Epsom Salts Bath, Massage

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Bone/Skeletal Pain –

Herbs

Boneset, Caltrop, Ho Shou Wu, Ligusticum, and Wild Yam are the more common remedies for addressing bone pain with herbs.  Most bone or skeletal pain is found in the joints.  Some, however, may be in the bone itself and though caused by inflammation, may be sourced from infection of cancer.

Homeopathy for bone pain

• Actaea Spicata, Caulophyllum and Ruta. Actaea Spicata – for “small bone” pain
• Agaricus – to address verticle (spine) bone pain
• Arnica – for pain with excessive soreness and/or lameness
• Asafoetida, Mezereum, and Cinnabaris – to treat “long bone” pain
• Calcarea Phos, Calcarea Fluor, Fluoric Acid, and Symphytum Officinale – for pain associated with Osteoporosis
• Eupatorium perfoliatum – for bone pain associated with a fever
• Mezereum and Aurum Met – for treating bone pain at night
• Merc Sol, Phosphoric Acid, and Silicea – for pain from Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Ruta, Hypericum, and Symphytum – can treat pain from injury
• Symphytum Officinale – is best for breaks and fractures

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Earaches –

Herbs

Calendula, Eyebright, or Hops.

Homeopathy for Earaches

• Belladonna – for intense ear pain, experienced with bright red outer ear, sudden fever, or pain into the neck
• Mercurius – with smelly perspiration, head sweats, increased salivation, bad breath or a swollen tongue
• Otitis Media – for middle ear infections
• Otitis Externa – for outer ear infections
• Pulsatilla – for general ear pain as well as when accompanied by irritability or when teething
• Silica, Hepar sulph, and Mercurius are all equally indicated by the presence of painfully swollen lymph nodes; late stage pain

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Headaches – are tricky and usually require specific remedies for specific causes. 

Herbs

Caltrop, Chamomile, Cocoa, Coffee, Feverfew, Ginger, Ginkgo, Goldenrod, Guarana, Hops, Khat, Lemon Balm, Magnolia, Mayapple, Mistleltoe, Oregano, Orris, Osha, Pennyroyal, Vervain, Violet, Walnut, Watercress

Homeopathy for Headaches

• Belladonna – for treating right-sided headaches with throbbing
• Bryonia – for headaches in the forehead or left eye
• Gelsemium – for treating headaches on the right side or back of the neckIris
• Versicolr – for recurring migraine headaches, often accompanied by nausea and vomitingIgnatia – for treating headaches with neck or back spasms
• Lycopodium – for addressing head pain found mostly in the forehead and temple regions
• Nux Vomica – for headaches from reactions to bad food, overwork or stress
• Pulsatilla – for headaches associated with menstrual periods
• Sanguinaria – for head pain that begins at the right side of the shoulder or neck and moves to the right eye; may be triggered from sun exposure, skipping a meal, menopause, or heartburn
• Spigella – for sharp burning headaches that are noticed especially in the left eye and often accompanied with a stiff neck

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Joint Pain –

Herbs

Blue Cohosh, Burdock, Cayenne Pepper (capsaicin), Coriander, Crampbark, Eucapyptus, Juniper, Lavender, Ligustrum, Meadowsweet, Mullein, Oregano, Peppermint, Peyote, and Willow (White Willow Bark)

Homeopathy for Joint Pain

• Actaea spicata – for joint pain in the hands such as Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Arnica montana – for pain in the joints with general soreness or lameness or from injury
• Bryonia alba – for joint pain indicated when the pain is aggravated by motion and relieved by rest.
• Causticum – for tearing pains in limbs relieved by warmth and worsened by cold.
• Chinum sulph – for pain in the joints with sudden onset of Acute Articular Rheumatism
• Colchicum – for pain found with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Ledum pal – for joint pain associated mostly with gout and hot, swollen joints
• Phytolacca – for shifting joint pain that feels like an electric shock
• Pulsatilla – for joint pain that moves from one joint to another
• Rhus tox – for treating joint pain where symptoms are improved by motion

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Muscle Pain –

Herbs

Allspice, Bloodroot, Bupleurum, Coffee, Crampbark, Ho Shou Wu, Hops, Juniper, Marijuana (Cannabis, CBA, CBD, CBG), Nutmeg, Passion Flower, Peony, Peppermint, Rue, Thyme, Valerian, Wild Yam, Wormwood, and Yellow Clover

Homeopathy for Muscle Pain

• Actaea Racemosa, Ranunculus Bulbosus, Lachnantes Tinctoria – for neck pain
• Rhus Toxicodendron and Bryonia Alba – for muscle pain in the low back
• Sanguinaria Canadensis, Rhus tox, Ferrum Metallicum, Nux Moschata- for deltoid pain

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Nerve Pain –

Herbs

Arnia, Catnip, Celery, Ginkgo, Hops, Lady’s Slipper, Lavender, Oregano, Peyote, Saint John’s Wort, Vervain, Wood Betony, and Yohimbe

The International Association for the Study of Pain has described neuropathic pain as “pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system.”   Some types or symptoms of nerve pain may be

• Constant burning or lancinating pain
• Allodynia or pain in response to a stimulus that is not likely to cause pain, eg., Pain in response to light touch at the affected area
• Hyperalgesia or increased pain response to a stimulus that normally causes pain
• Paroxysmal pain or electric shock-like pain
• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Paraesthesia or abnormal pins and needles sensation
• Sock and glove like feeling

Some methods to address such pain can be found in Magnesium Oil and Epsom Salts. TENs Units can also be helpful with this type of pain.

Homeopathy for nerve pain

• Aconitum Napellus – for nerve pain after sudden exposure to cold
• Belladonna – for sudden nerve pain
• Bryonia and Ranuchulus Bulbosus – for pain in the chest or ribs 
• Chamomilla – for nerve pain with irritability
• Colocynth, Magnesium Phos, and Gnaphalium – to address nerve pain in the legs
• Hypericum perforatum – for nerve pain associated with tingling or burning
• Hypericum and Causticum – for nerve pain in the hands
• Hypericum and Ledum Pal – for treating nerve pain from injury
• Kalmia – for nerve pain with numbness
• Magnesium Phos – for severe nerve pain
• Magnesium Phos and Spigelia – for facial nerve pain
• Paris Quadrifolia and Hypericum – for nerve pain in the shoulder
• Phytolacca and Sulphur – for nerve pain in the feet
• Ranunculus Bulbosus, Mezereum and Arsenic Album – to treat nerve pain associated with Herpes

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Toothaches –

Herbs

Allspice, Bayberry, Catnip, Cloves, Coriander, Corydalis, Devil’s Club, Echinacea, Fringe Tree, Geranium, Guiacum, Hops, Kava, Lambsquarter, Lavender, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Oregano, Osha, Parsley, Passion Flower, Peppermint, Pippali, Plantain, Prickly Ash, Psyllium, Spilanthes, Tarragon, and Yarrow

Homeopathy for toothaches

• Arnica and Hypericum perforatum – for post-extraction tooth pain, as well as dental fillings
• Chamomilla and Coffea – for addressing pain with sensitivity to heat
• Hecla Lava – for tooth pain with swelling in the jaw
• Hepar Sulph and Magnesium Phos – for treating tooth pain with sensitivity to cold when improvement from warmth is experienced 
• Merc Sol – for tooth pain accompanied by considerable salivation and bad mouth odor
• Plantago – for toothache with pain in the cheeks
• Plantago, Spigelia and Magnesium Phos – for treating toothache with pain from ear to ear
• Silicea and Hepar Sulph – for toothache from abscess

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Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb and a therapeutic dose is considered to be at least 1.3 grams. Oregon’s Wild Harvest brand has 1350 mg (1.35 g) as well as including Piper nigrum (black pepper) which increases bioavailability.  Ginger can also help with inflammation. You can also get relief from TENS units, Acupressure (often can be self-administered), and Acupuncture.

Keep in mind that for the most part, these remedies are temporary and do more to address the symptoms though some help with the cause.  But it is essential to understand the cause so you may address it to prevent pain in the future and long-term

And when it comes to pain, don’t forget, prayer can often be a source of relief as attested to by many health professionals and patients.

Written by Douglas K. Johnson – Life, Health and Wellness Coach, Herbalist, Nutritionist, and Author

Sources:

The Herbal Pharmacy by Brigitte Mars
Nature’s Medicine – Plants That Heal, by Joel L. Swerdlow PhD.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing – by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC fifth edition 2010
A History of Medicine – by Lois N. Magner 1992
https://www.kratomscience.com/strains-effects-and-dosage/
https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/herbs-arthritis-pain
https://www.salubrainous.com/topical-natural-remedies-for-neuropathy/
https://www.drhomeo.com/pain/natural-homeopathic-remedies-for-muscle-pain-and- aches/
https://www.doctorshealthpress.com/pain-articles/headaches-pain-articles/10-homeopathic-remedies-for-headaches/
https://www.drhomeo.com/bone-pain/5-best-homeopathic-medicines-for-bone-pain/
https://homeopathic.com/homeopathic-medicines-for-earaches/
https://www.drhomeo.com/homeopathic-treatment/homeopathic-medicines-nerve-pain/
https://toothpainremedies.net/homeopathic/
https://www.drhomeo.com/teeth/homeopathic-remedies-for-toothache/
https://shrubsandgrubs.blogspot.com/2018/05/homeopathic-remedies-for-joint-pains-in.html
https://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-use-a-tens-unit.html

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