What are the herbal painkillers?
Natural painkillers have been popular for centuries. However, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven in many cases. The effects claimed are based rather on the positive reports of sufferers.
However, some medicinal plants, such as devil’s claw, are approved by the authorities as “traditional herbal medicines”. According to many years of experience, these plants show an effect on certain complaints. Their use is also considered harmless to health.
Ingredients of certain medicinal plants are often also used in the development of herbal medicines (phytopreparations). One example of this is essential oils, which are extracted from peppermint or cloves, for example.
Read more about the various medicinal plants that are said to have an analgesic effect here. However, always see a doctor if you have any complaints.
Nettle
The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and the small stinging nettle (Urtica urens) are used therapeutically. The leaves, stems and roots of the stinging nettle are used for ready-to-use medicinal preparations and dietary supplements.
In the form of dragées, tablets, capsules, fresh plant press juice and tea mixtures, the dried herb and leaves of the nettle are available in various forms.
Nettle leaves and herb have a diuretic effect. Therefore, nettle tea is helpful in bladder infections to flush out the bacteria. The tea is also said to have an antispasmodic effect. This may help with stomach ailments.
In empirical medicine, nettle leaves and herb are also used externally for seborrheic skin.
Learn more about stinging nettle here.
Willow bark
Helpful against pain and fever: Willow bark contains a high proportion of so-called salicylates. They are converted into salicylic acids in the body and thus have an active ingredient that is similar to the painkiller and antipyretic acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a weakened form.
Preparations from willow bark have been shown to help with
However, they are not able to cure diseases, but are used as a supplement to standard therapy. In folk medicine, willow bark is also used for toothache and flu-like diseases, and externally for foot sweat and poorly healing wounds.
Dry extracts of the bark are processed into tablets and capsules. In addition, a willow bark tincture is available in the form of drops. A tea can also be prepared from the dried willow bark.
Learn more about willow bark here.
Clove
Antiseptic, local anesthetic and antispasmodic: Cloves may help with toothache and inflammation of the mouth and throat. This is mainly due to the clove oil, which is rich in the essential oil eugenol.
For toothache, it is possible to put a whole clove in the mouth and hold it near the affected tooth or lightly chew on it. This will release the essential oil.
You can also apply undiluted clove oil to the painful tooth area with a cotton ball or cotton swab.
Used externally, it may also help with acne, other skin conditions and insect bites.
Learn more about cloves as an herbal pain reliever here.
Undiluted clove oil may irritate tissues and cause allergic skin or mucous membrane reactions. Clove oil should also never be used on young children!
Frankincense
- anti-inflammatory
- analgesic
- decongestant
- antibiotic
Also, the anti-inflammatory effects of frankincense extracts have been tested mainly in animal studies; there are few human studies.
If you are taking medications, also note that there may be interactions with frankincense preparations.
Learn more about frankincense here.
People with medical conditions should not take frankincense supplements without consulting their doctor. The products are not suitable for children.
Peppermint
Peppermint leaves are classified as a traditional herbal medicine. Thanks to the essential oil, they have an antispasmodic and bile flow promoting effect in particular. In addition, the medicinal plant is said to have antiviral effects. Therefore, peppermint may provide relief from the following ailments:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- @ colds
- Inflammations of the oral mucosa
- Muscle and nerve pain
- Headaches
To inhale for a cold, add one drop of peppermint oil to a bowl of hot water.
Ready-to-use preparations based on peppermint leaves or peppermint oil are also available in pharmacies. Through them, the active ingredients reach the target site – such as the intestine – directly in high concentration.
Learn more about peppermint here.
Peppermint oil must not be applied to the face and chest of infants or young children, as this can lead to a life-threatening laryngospasm (glottic spasm) with breathing difficulties. Babies and young children should also not ingest the oil.
Cayenne pepper and chili
Pretty hot: cayenne pepper and chili contain the active ingredient capsaicin. It is an alkaloid that is used in ointments, creams and plasters and provides relief especially for muscle tension, nerve pain and itching.
The effect of cayenne pepper and chili occurs as follows: They cause a slight pain and heat stimulus on the skin. This distracts from the actual pain or itching.
Taken internally as a spice, cayenne pepper and chili may also help with digestive disorders such as flatulence.
Learn more about cayenne pepper here.
Cayenne pepper and chili irritate the mucous membranes very strongly even in the smallest amounts and cause a painful burning sensation. This affects the eyes in particular. Therefore, avoid contact with mucous membranes at all costs.
Devil’s claw root
The bulbous, dried storage roots of African devil’s claw contain bitter substances, phenylethanol derivatives and secondary plant substances (flavonoids). Together, these ingredients have anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic, appetite stimulating and bile flow promoting effects.
As a traditional herbal medicine, the medicinal plant can be used for:
- The effect of cayenne pepper and chili occurs as follows: They cause a slight pain and heat stimulus on the skin. This distracts from the actual pain or itching.
Taken internally as a spice, cayenne pepper and chili may also help with digestive disorders such as flatulence.
- Learn more about cayenne pepper here.
- Cayenne pepper and chili irritate the mucous membranes very strongly even in the smallest amounts and cause a painful burning sensation. This affects the eyes in particular. Therefore, avoid contact with mucous membranes at all costs.
Devil’s claw root
The bulbous, dried storage roots of African devil’s claw contain bitter substances, phenylethanol derivatives and secondary plant substances (flavonoids). Together, these ingredients have anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic, appetite stimulating and bile flow promoting effects.
As a traditional herbal medicine, the medicinal plant can be used for:
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not get better or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Is there a strong herbal painkiller?
Even though there is scientific evidence for some natural painkillers that they relieve discomfort, it is important to see a doctor in case of severe and persistent pain and to discuss further therapy with him or her. Do not under any circumstances increase the dosage of herbal preparations yourself.
Natural painkillers: You should be aware of this!
- Herbal pain relievers can also have side effects. Therefore, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about them and read the package insert carefully.
- With natural painkillers, interactions with medications are possible under certain circumstances.
- If you have any complaints, always go to the doctor first and clarify the causes.