Herbs and Natural Medicine

Disclaimer

NC Pain Management Services, Pa , has compiled the following in order to provide its patients with information on some of the currently available modes of therapy. This should not be interpreted as a recommendation to use them. We would like to remind our patients that the downside to these therapies is the lack of ìdouble blinded, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studiesî demonstrating their benefits, or safety. This is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete list of all available herbs or remedies. These are some of the ones that we are asked about more frequently. Please do not ask us about other therapies not included here, as we probably do not have much information about them.

Warning

Please remember that these remedies are loosely tested and regulated. When buying and using other forms of treatment, always research any possible side-effects, complications, allergies, or possible drug interactions. Always consider ìstandardizedî  and FDA approved preparations, first. Beware of non-FDA-approved and non-standardized preparations or therapies.

There is no substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, exercise, live clean, do not use illegal drugs, do not abuse or misuse prescription drugs, and do not smoke!

Herb	Parts Used	Claimed Benefits	Comments
Aloe (Aloe vera or Aloe barbaensis)	Gel and dried juice from leaves	Heals wounds and burns	Often the juice is mixed with gel and, if taken internally, can have a laxative effect.
Arnica (Arnica)	Flower heads	Relieves pain and reduces inflammation	Safe for external use only.
Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita ñ which is the same as Matricaria recutita and Matricaria chamomilla)	Flower heads	Relieves digestive disorders and possibly inflammation. Nerve soothing.	Avoid if allergic to asters, chrysanthemums, ragweed, or other members of the daisy (Asteraceae) family.
Chili peppers (Capsicum)	Fruits	Reduces pain and tenderness and soothes digestive woes.	The active ingredient, capsaicin, is usually used as a cream. Can be irritating both internally and externally ñ as anyone knows who has come into contact with a hot one! Avoid using around eyes.
Feverfew (Tanacetum Partenium)	Leaves	Relieves migraines and possibly arthritis	Avoid if allergic to plants in the daisy family. Watch out for bogus products that donít contain any actual feverfew. Daily use (especially of non-capsule forms) can lead to mouth sores.
Garlic (Allium sativum)	Bulbs and sometimes leaves	Lowers blood pressure and thins blood, possibly even fights infection and cancer.	Large amounts required for benefits (leading to flatulence, stomach distress, and maybe fewer friends, unless youíre taking the ìodor-free preparations) Nevertheless, the odor causing ingredient is the beneficial one. Avoid large doses if taking aspirin or other blood-thinning drugs.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)	Leaf extract	Boosts circulation, memory, and may relieve symptoms of thinking disorders, perhaps including Alzheimerís disease, related to diminished blood supply to the brain.	More data needed about efficacy, effective dosage, and long-term effects. Side effects may include gastrointestinal distress, headaches, and allergic reactions. May be dangerous when used with blood-thinning madications, including aspirin.
Ginseng (Panax ñ comes in three varieties: American ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and Asian ginseng)	Roots	Boosts immunity or energy and stimulates ìanti-stressî hormone	Many ìginsengî products contain little or none of the (rather costly) active ingredient (genosenides), Panax ginsena form may raise blood pressure. If you have diabetes or an estrogen-dependent cancer, see your primary care physician.
Kava (Piper methysticum)	Roots, stems	Reduces stress and anxiety	No proof yet from clinical trials and can be intoxicating in large doses. Long-term use can lead to dry, scaly skin.
St. Johnís wort (Hypericum perforatum)	Leaves, flowering tops	Treats mild and moderate depression; relieves chronic nerve pain; creams and salves relieve inflammation and promote healing	Depression should first be diagnosed by a health professional. More data needed about effective dosage, side effects, and long-term safety. Can cause sensitivity to light and dangerously interact with other drugs, such as MAO inhibitors.
Valerian (valerian officinalis)	Roots	Relieves anxiety and maybe insomnia	Recent controversy about whether really relieves insomnia. Taking 450 mg a day for under 2 weeks (teas or extracts) seems safe, but overdoses can lead to blurred vision, excitability, and changes in heartbeat.
Vitamins, Minerals and other Dietary Supplements
Glucosamine	When taken as supplement, is supposed to build and strengthen cartilage. It is suppose to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis, a condition that occurs when cartilage breaks down.
Chondroitin	Another natural compound that stops production of enzymes that break down cartilage ñ so, at least in theory, it may also help keep the new cartilage intact.
Melatonin	A hormone produced by a tiny gland in the brain. It seems to affect many bodily processes, particularly the bodyís circadian rhythm: The biological events that regulates the sleep and waking cycles. In theory melatonin could potentially help relieve insomnia. 1-2 mg a couple of hours before bedtime may help you fall asleep, but there is no evidence that it will make you sleep longer or better.
Shark cartilage	May help arthritis and cancer. Never take these supplements if youíre pregnant, have heart disease, or recently had surgery.

Alternatives for Pain Relief

The following are alternative remedies that have been used to relieve many different forms of pain:

… Acupuncture and shiatsu ñ These techniques can target headaches symptoms specifically.

… Aromatherapy

… Biofeedback ñ This practice can help you learn to reduce muscle tension and beat various forms of pain.

… Craniosacral therapy ñ This form of head and spinal manipulation (performed by some osteopaths, massage therapists, and chiropractors) can sometimes provide relief.

… Exercise ñ Begun with warm-up stretches, regular exercise can sometimes reduce pain by toning muscles and improving flexibility.

… Herbal remedies ñ see above.

… Magnetic field therapy ñ This method may help relieve some forms of intractable pain. Stationary magnets ñ for whatever reason ñ may help relieve neuralgia pain.

… Massage ñ This therapy, sometimes combined with deep breathing exercises, can help control many kinds of pain. Deep-tissue massage may release tension in muscles that may be pressing on a nerve.

… Neural therapy ñ A therapist injects pain-killers (anesthetics) into nerve sites to restore the bodyís natural energy flow. Whether this approach works for the reasons it claims to, it may help relieve many kinds of chronic pain. Use it under the supervision of a trained practitioner. Note to be confused with the medical practice of Interventional Pain Management.

… Nutrition ñ Some people find that avoiding certain foods ñ often chocolates, red wine, MSG, meats containing sodium nitrates (Hot dogs), or cheese ñ prevents headaches. Coffee is a mild analgesic.

… Psychotherapy ñ This approach is hardly alternative any more and may help certain kinds of pain.

… Therapeutic touch ñ This approach seems to reduce the need for pain medications, at least in some studies.

… Various mind-bady techniques -  Relaxation therapy, meditation, guided imagery, and hypnosis can often work quite well in relieving pain.

… Vitamins and supplements ñTaking supplements of magnesium may help prevent migrains, especially the kind associated with the menstrual period. The amino acid derivative carnitine (often sold as L-carnitine) may help relieve pain in the legs that occurs during exercise (intermittent claudication). So may inositol nicotinate, a derivative of niacin (vitamin B3). Some people also swear by ginkgo, calcium, or vitamin E to improve circulation and relieve leg spasms or cramps, but adequate research documenting these claims remains elusive.

… Yoga ñ These postures may help diminish pain.