Pain can be a useful warning sign, such as the pain from a broken bone, signaling the need for treatment of an underlying cause. Chronic pain, however, is pain that will not go away.
For the most part, nature does not approach mainstream pain relievers when it comes to the relief of truly severe pain, whether it be temporary pain once the underlying problem has been identified or chronic pain (although many of the most potent mainstream pain relievers are derived from nature - especially the opiates). Nevertheless, there are a good number of options that may provide ample relief depending upon a person's level of pain and personal pain threshold.
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.
Other natural ways to relieve pain include acupuncture, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), meditation, soothing baths, calmative teas such as chamomile and perhaps aromatherapy.