Herbal pain therapy
In the field of herbal medicines there are some preparations that can relieve pain. This is especially true for pain of the musculoskeletal system, i.e. pain in muscles and joints. The herbal preparations are usually applied to the affected areas in ointment or oil form.
Arnica has an anti-inflammatory and pain-inhibiting effect. The ingredient responsible for this is helenanine. Arnica is used especially for inflammations of the mucous membranes, bruises, muscle and joint complaints.
The root of the devil’s claw has proven itself especially in the therapy of wear-related back pain. The efficacy determining ingredient is the harpagoside. This leads to inhibition of the formation of pro-inflammatory messenger substances that irritate the nerve endings.
It also leads to the formation of nitric oxide, which improves blood circulation, and to the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are tissue hormones that suppress inflammatory processes, among other things. Devil’s Claw is suitable for chronic pain therapy, but for the treatment of acute pain, as it takes several days before the full effect is reached.
Do you have more interest in this topic? cayenne pepper contains the active ingredient capsaicin.When applied to painful areas of the body, capsaicin initially activates pain fibers, which manifests itself as an initial burning and warming of the skin. Finally, capsaicin suppresses the release of pain mediating messenger substances, which reduces the perception of pain.
Capsaicin also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Cayenne pepper is used to treat back pain, painful muscle tension, as well as pain caused by shingles and diabetic nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy). You can read more detailed information on this topic in our next article: Cayenne pepper willow bark contains the active ingredient salicin, which is metabolized in the body to salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid is also contained in the well-known drug Aspirin, which explains the aspirin-like effect of willow bark. Willow bark has an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and pain-reducing effect. It is particularly suitable for the treatment of chronic back or headaches. It is not used for acute pain, as it can take several days before the full effect is felt.
All articles in this series:
- Pain therapy
- WHO level scheme
- Regional anesthetic procedures
- Non-drug pain therapy
- Herbal pain therapy
- Psychological pain therapy
- Multimodal pain therapy
- What is the procedure of an inpatient pain therapy?
- What does pain therapy for fibromyalgia look like?
- What does pain therapy for cancer look like?
