Herbal Help for Pain

Here are some natural herbal alternatives that may help:

• Aconite - Available as a homeopathic remedy.  Has been called "nature's valium".
• Boswellia - Relieves pain without stomach upset, in the same manner as Celebrex.
• Clematis - Also known as Wei Ling Xian, increases the threshold of pain.
• Condurango - Relieves pain and restores appetite - normally used as a tincture.
• Echinacea - Helps relieve pain in advanced cancer.  Best not to use for more than two weeks at a time.
• Ginger - Reduces production of pain-causing cytokines.
• Kava - Relieves pain and induces sleep.  May be combined with Valerian and Passionflower.  The extract form is better for pain than the capsule version.
  
• Meadowsweet - Relieves stomach pain.
• Passionflower - Has been used to tranquilize and calm edgy nerves for over 200 years.  May be combined with Kava and Valerian.
  
• Pau d'arco - Stimulates immune system to destroy bacteria (and has cancer fighting properties)
• Turmeric - Relieves pain and inflammation (and has cancer fighting properties)
• Valerian - A tranquilize and calmative with actions similar to valium.  Was widely distributed in London in WWII to relieve panic from the German bombing attacks. May be combined with Kava and Passionflower.
  
• Willow  - Relieves pain (has the same ingredient as aspirin - salicylic acid.  Do not use if sensitive or allergic to aspirin).

Formulas:

• Prepared Aconite Decoction - A traditional Chinese herbal formula used under professional supervision for chronic pain.  Acts by raising the threshold of pain to make rest possible.  Note:  Discontinue if a fever occurs.  The formula may cause temporary loss of sensation in the mouth and tongue.
• SPES - An herbal formula containing corydalis that relieves abdominal pain caused by cancer.