Herbal helpers for persistent pain

Part 3 of Coping with Pain Series: Herbal Support for Pain Management

If you’ve been living with pain for some time, you have no doubt tried to seek relief in a myriad of ways. Doctors are often reluctant to prescribe pharmaceuticals, and these medications can come with some undesirable side-effects. Luckily, there is hope in the form of herbs.

When a herbalist chooses plants for a pain formula, there are a few key herbal actions that we look for. You will find that some herbs fit into more than one category in this list—helpful when you want to combine therapeutic effects to target a specific set of symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory Herbs

These herbs help reduce inflammation, which is often a root cause of chronic pain, particularly in conditions like arthritis and injuries.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

○ Key Constituents: Gingerols, shogaols

○ Action: Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties and is particularly effective for

reducing pain caused by muscle soreness, cramps, and digestive discomfort (see my last article about the gut-brain axis, it is relevant here!) It also helps alleviate symptoms associated with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

○ Key Constituents: Harpagide, harpagoside

○ Action: Reduces inflammation, particularly in joints, so it has been used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. It helps improve joint mobility and decrease pain.

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

○ Key Constituents: Boswellic acids

○ Action: This potent anti-inflammatory is another popular herb for managing joint pain in

conditions like osteoarthritis. It’s also used to treat sports injuries by reducing swelling and

stiffness.

White willow bark (Salix spp.)

○ Key Constituents: Salicin

○ Action: White willow bark can reduce inflammation and provide mild to moderate pain relief. It works similarly to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin, due to its salicin content. This herb is also an analgesic.

Arnica (Arnica spp.)

○ Key Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids

○ Action: Used externally to reduce muscle soreness, joint pain, and inflammation from injuries. Arnica speeds up recovery from sprains, strains, and bruising.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

○ Key Constituents: Curcumin

○ Action: Curcumin in turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It’s highly effective in

reducing pain associated with arthritis, injuries, and muscle soreness.

Analgesics

Herbs in this category directly relieve pain by acting on pain pathways or receptors.

Cayenne (Capsicum spp.)

○ Key Constituents: Capsaicin

○ Action: When applied topically, capsaicin depletes a neurotransmitter called

substance P, which sends pain signals to the brain. It’s used for managing nerve

pain, arthritis, and conditions like diabetic neuropathy. When taken internally, it

can help alleviate pain by promoting the release of endorphins and reducing

inflammation.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

○ Key Constituents: Eugenol

○ Action: Known for its anesthetic properties, clove oil is commonly used to

relieve toothaches. It numbs the affected area and reduces pain, making it ideal

for short-term pain relief in dental issues.

Corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo)

○ Key Constituents: Tetrahydropalmatine

○ Action: A traditional Chinese herb known for having pain-relieving properties,

corydalis contains active compounds like tetrahydropalmatine (THP), which can

block pain signals in the nervous system. This makes Corydalis particularly

well-matched to take on neuropathic pain, menstrual cramps, headaches, and

even post-surgical pain.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

○ Key Constituents: Parthenolide

○ Action: Feverfew has a history of use for reducing migraine pain and frequency.

It can be a long-term solution to minimize headaches and has mild

anti-inflammatory effects.

Nervines

Nervines help calm and soothe the nervous system, which can be beneficial for nerve-related

pain and conditions like neuropathy.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

○ Key Constituents: Hypericin, hyperforin

○ Action: While primarily known for mood regulation, St. John’s Wort also soothes

nerve pain and can be helpful for conditions like sciatica or neuropathy.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

○ Key Constituents: Flavonoids, alkaloids

○ Action: Used to calm the nervous system, this herb is particularly effective in

reducing nerve pain and muscle tension caused by stress or anxiety

Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia erythrina)       

o   Key Constituents: Kava lactones

o   Actions: A powerful sedative, used in the treatment of painful conditions such as neuralgia and migraine. It is specifically indicated in insomnia due to neuralgia or nervous tension.

Antispasmodics

These herbs relieve pain by reducing muscle spasms, cramps, and other involuntary muscle

contractions.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

○ Key Constituents: Apigenin, bisabolol

○ Action: Chamomile relaxes smooth muscles and relieves muscle cramps and spasms. It’s useful for digestive pain, menstrual cramps, and general muscle tension.

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

o   Key Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones

o   Actions: The anodyne and antispasmodic actions make it valuable in treating cramping of the intestines and uterus, and it is useful in irritable bowel syndrome and endometriosis. Eases muscular cramping and pains related to injury, trauma and rheumatism.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

○ Key Constituents: Menthol

○ Action: Peppermint is effective for easing muscle pain and spasms, particularly in the digestive tract. It also helps relieve tension headaches when applied topically due to its cooling and antispasmodic effects.

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus)

○ Key Constituents: Scopoletin, viopudial

○ Action: This herb is often used to relieve muscle spasms and menstrual cramps. It relaxes smooth muscles and helps alleviate pain caused by cramping and contractions.

Aromatherapy and pain relief

Aromatherapy is another natural method to alleviate chronic pain. Essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary, frankincense, ginger, lemongrass, and chamomile are commonly used in pain management through massage or inhalation. Lavender oil, in particular, is known for its relaxing effects and ability to reduce pain perception.

Keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated and are not necessarily safe in all

applications, so I would recommend a certified aromatherapist’s guidance if you want to pursue aromatherapy as part of your pain protocol. Also know that many essential oils are not pet-safe, and they may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.

In conclusion

Herbs can be a useful addition to your pain management tool box. They can act on several different systems in the body, and you can customize a formula specific to your exact type of pain, often addressing the root cause at the same time. However, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any herbal regimen, especially if you are on other medications or have underlying health conditions (and never take any herbal formula if you are pregnant or nursing, without the approval of a physician). Many doctors are becoming more open to herbal medicine, and ideally they can work in cooperation with your herbal practitioner to get you the best results possible.

This was by no means an exhaustive list! Many other botanicals can provide targeted support for different pain conditions. Your herbal practitioner can work with you to find the right combination to suit your specific needs and help bring you the relief you deserve.

Guest Author: Danielle Brost is a certified herbal practitioner, offering online personalized herbal consultations and wellness plans. Based in Victoria, BC, her passion is to empower clients to "lessen their limits" and live healthier, more enjoyable lives. She can be reached through her website at https://www.lilyoftheforest.com/