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Herbal painkillers - types, uses and indications
contents
- Type of pain
- Pain in the stomach or intestines, cramps
- a headache
- Tension headaches
- migraine
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Pain during menstruation
- Homeopathy for pain
- Summary
Type of pain
Pain occurs in different types, manifestations and in different parts of the body. Chemical analgesics do not take so much account of the location and type of pain - however, herbal painkillers may be chosen correctly. Each plant has its area of action and application.
Even if "only" of plants is mentioned, even these can lead to unwanted side effects. Therefore, the respective revenue or application recommendations must be observed. Depending on the symptoms, it is necessary to go to the doctor or alternative practitioner. Even if no side effects are known, incompatibilities can occur - but very rarely. If this is the case, the intake will not continue. The treating therapist can stand by here.
In (acute) pain, it is of course possible to resort to a chemical preparation. In many cases, however, a treatment with naturopathic or herbal remedies may be useful. (Image: carballo / fotolia.com) Pain in the stomach or intestines, cramps
Pain in the stomach and / or intestines is often associated with seizures. This is where herbal painkillers, which are spasmolytic, that is, anticonvulsant, work. These include the following plants:
- henbane,
- Boldo,
- fumitory,
- celandine,
- butterbur,
- balm
- and licorice.
Each of these herbal painkillers is described in detail in the following lines.
henbane
The henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a solanaceae. It is one of the oldest medicinal plants and was formerly used in religious ceremonies. This plant is known as the witch's plant. Their effect is based on the alkaloids contained therein. Henbane has spasmolytic (antispasmodic) and analgesic effects on the smooth muscles in the stomach and intestines. Since the plant is highly toxic, it is only used in homeopathic form, starting from the homeopathic dilution D4. In addition, the herb has an anxiety-relieving and calming effect.
Boldo
Boldo, in the jargon Peumus boldus called, is a so-called Monimiengewächs and can be found in bush forests in Chile. Boldo contains alkaloids, essential oil and small amounts of flavonoids. The combination of alkaloids and essential oils makes them a very special plant. It acts as a herbal analgesic spasmolytic, choleretic (promoting bile flow) and cholekinetic (stimulating the emptying of the gallbladder). In addition, Boldo is anti-inflammatory and stimulates urinary and uric acid excretion. The herbal analgesic is used as a tea, as a tincture or in the form of combination preparations. The use is contraindicated for closure of the biliary tract, severe liver disease, gallstone disease and pregnancy. Side effects for Boldo leaves are not known.
fumitory
Fumaria (Fumaria officinalis), a poppy plant, is known as a weed on roadsides or on rubbish sites in Europe and Asia. Plants that grow everywhere as a wild plant without care are often used for detoxification or blood purification. So also the fume. Like the plants already described, Fumaria officinalis also has a lot of alkaloids that have an antispasmodic effect. Furthermore, the intake of fumitory gas increases the bile secretion and has anti-inflammatory effects. This plant is used as a tea, as tincture or as fresh plant juice. Side effects are not known.
Fumaria (Fumaria officinalis) is used for detoxification or blood purification. It also contains alkaloids that give it an antispasmodic effect. (Image: busenlilly666 / fotolia.com) celandine
The celandine (Chelidonium majus) is a poppy that likes to settle near people, on roadsides, fences and garden weeds. Celandine acts as a herbal painkiller anticonvulsant on the gastrointestinal tract and on the biliary tract. Since celandine is poisonous in its original form, this should be taken only in the form of tea, tincture or as a finished medicinal product. An independent self-treatment for more than four weeks at a time is foreseeable. Celandine is contraindicated in existing liver diseases, gall bladder infections or gallstones. Pregnant women, nursing women and children under the age of 12 must not take chelidonium.
Celandine is often used as a herbal painkiller in combination with other plants, for example in a tea blend with peppermint, cumin and wormwood.
butterbur
A weird name, but a great, effective plant. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) belongs to the Compositae. It contains so-called sesquiterpenes, which make up the spasmolytic effect - on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary tract and also the bronchial tract. In addition, butterbur acts anti-inflammatory. Depending on their severity, gastrointestinal pain responds relatively well to the intake of petasites. Even with cramps during menstruation, butterbur is worth a try. Last but not least, this plant is successfully used for migraine or headache. Butterbur is offered as a tea and as a finished medicinal product.
balm
The melissa (Melissa officinalis, also called lemon balm) knows virtually everyone. But as a herbal painkiller, it is less well known. Thanks to her ingredients, she can show her skills here, too. It has antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and - which is important to us here in this article - antispasmodic. It is gladly combined with other plants. Especially with pain in the gastrointestinal area, if these arise due to nervousness or stress, the melissa is the right choice. It works gently, side effects and contraindications are not known. The melissa is available as a tea, as a tincture, extract in mono- or combination preparations.
Many people know melissa - but not as a painkiller. It has an antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-spasmodic effect! (Image: Madeleine Steinbach / fotolia.com) a headache
Headaches can be so bad that a normal everyday life is no longer possible. Especially if it is migraine. This is a disease that is not so easy to treat. As a rule, those affected take many high-dose painkillers. The herbal remedies may be able to take the "spikes" of the pain and improve overall pain progression. For other headaches (such as tension headaches) taking herbal painkillers is also worth a try.
Continuous use of chemical pain killers can cause them to cause headaches themselves - a vicious cycle begins. This is called analgesic headache. Therefore, herbal painkillers are definitely a recommended alternative.
Tension headaches
These are most oppressive or boring. They begin at the neck and then spread out over the head to the forehead. Vegetative and visual concomitants are usually not included.
Peppermint essential oil, mint oil
Of course, both oils are only applied externally. Put a drop on each index finger and use it to massage left and right under the occiput and additionally the temples - but be careful: do not bring it into the eyes!
The oils act on the body's own systems for pain relief, they improve blood circulation, inhibit various messengers that are involved in the development of pain, and reduce the sensitivity to pain. This may not sound understandable, but give it a try. Lie down and let the oil work. Please wash your hands after use. Meanwhile, oils with applicator are on the market, this is also quite useful on the go.
willow bark
Already in ancient times the willow bark was used. At the beginning of the 19th century, salicin was isolated from the bark. This is responsible for the effect. From this substance, chemists made the salicylic acid, from which many years later, the acetylsalicylic acid, which is today one of the most famous painkillers.
On the other hand, herbal salicin is converted to salicylic acid in the intestine. Side effects are very rare in willow bark. Only persons allergic to salicylates should not take willow bark preparations. The willow bark is a herbal analgesic, but in tension headaches the effect is rather moderate. If blood-thinning medications are already taken, the doctor must first be consulted. The willow bark can be drunk as a tea or taken in the form of tablets.
Willow bark contains the active ingredient Salicin, from which chemists later produced the Sylicylsäure or acetylsalicylic acid, one of the most well-known painkillers world-wide. (Image: Heike Rau / fotolia.com) devil's claw
The devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is a so-called Pedaliengewächs and comes from the savannas of South Africa and Namibia. At the beginning, the devil's claw played only a mediocre role in traditional medicine. Later, the population noticed the actual healing effect of the plant. It came to Europe at the beginning of the 20th century and has become a valued, widely used medicinal plant. It has an anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic effect. So it can also be described as a herbal analgesic. It does not have much of an effect on acute headaches, but it helps those affected to reduce the intake of normal painkillers.
migraine
Those who suffer from migraines often take a long ordeal. This disease is, as mentioned above, difficult to treat, as many factors come together and the cause is often not apparent. Most sufferers take a large amount of special migraine therapeutics when they are struck by the severe pain and their unpleasant accompanying symptoms. Of course, these have side effects. However, some herbal painkillers may be able to relieve the pain and perhaps reduce the frequency of seizures.
As with the tension headache, peppermint oil is also recommended here. Willow bark and devil's claw can also be tried out. However, these usually have too little effect - especially in the acute state. What is often used in naturopathic practice is butterbur. This is one of the proven migraine prophylaxis. The frequency, duration and intensity of migraine attacks can be reduced with this herbal analgesic. Butterbur is recommended here by the way, even in the pain-free time. Either the patients take in a certain amount of it daily or they are given regular injections.
feverfew
Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium, Tanacetum parthenium) is a member of the Compositae family. As the name implies, this plant was used in ancient times, in ancient Greece, in women's diseases to facilitate the birth. Meanwhile, feverfew is also known as a good migraine therapeutic. This plant is used both for migraine prophylaxis and as an acute herbal painkiller in a migraine attack.
In addition to the pain, the feverfew also relieves the accompanying symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Rare side effects include oral mucositis and indigestion. Pregnant women, nursing women and children under the age of 12 years may not use feverfew. The plant is offered as a tea (but this is in its effect too low), as mother tincture, extract, in capsules or as globules.
Feverfew is a good choice for migraine. It also works against concomitant symptoms such. Eg nausea. In addition, it can be used for prophylaxis against migraine. (Image: irottlaender / fotolia.com) Musculoskeletal pain
Who has not had pain in the musculoskeletal system? These include, for example, back pain, pain in the joints and tension. Again, herbal painkillers can bring relief. Especially with chronic pain, as is the case with osteoarthritis, the plants can make a good contribution to reducing the intensity and make the whole thing more bearable.
Willow bark, feverfew and devil's claw have already been mentioned. The willow bark helps in acute and chronic, the devil's claw in chronic pain.
Aspen
Like the willow bark, the aspen bark belongs to the vegetable salicylates. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Often it is used together with goldenrod and ash as complexing agent. This triple combination, which is commercially available in a complex preparation, is a recommended herbal painkiller. The acute pain relief is moderate, as the effect usually sets in about ten days. However, taken over a longer period of time, this mixture can in any case ensure that the pains become less and thus save the regular intake of synthetic analgesics.
Meadowsweet and pansies
Both plants contain salicylates and are used in rheumatic diseases and associated pain.
Meadowsweet (Spiraea ulmaria) is a rose plant. This is prescribed in naturopathic medicine, especially for colds, but also for rheumatic complaints of the joints, muscles and headaches. The plant is available as a tea, tincture or extract.
The pansy (Viola tricolor) is mainly known for use in skin diseases. Also for gargling this is often used. In folk medicine, this plant is used in diseases of the musculoskeletal system and gout. Here is its ausscheidenden effect used. Viola tricolor is available in the form of tea, tincture, extract and in combination preparations.
incense
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) was used as a cure in ancient times. He has anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Thus it belongs to the vegetable painkillers. In some combination preparations it occurs together with the willow bark. Meanwhile, there are a variety of finished medicinal products on the market that contain frankincense. Especially with back pain, this is definitely worth a try.
Frankincense is the dried resin of the frankincense tree. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and can be used, for example, for back pain. (Image: hjschneider / fotolia.com) turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) tastes not only in the food, but is now known as a herbal painkiller. This is used for example in case of gastrointestinal disease, inflammation of the kidneys or cystitis and also in musculoskeletal disorders. Above all, turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus helps with pain caused by inflammation. So also with some back pain and rheumatoid arthritis.
The powder that is used in the preparation of food is not enough here. It is better to take capsules that contain a high concentration of turmeric. The effect does not start immediately, so it is more suitable for prevention or for chronic pain. Curcuma is now available as a combined supplement with incense on the market - an effective combination.
Pain during menstruation
For menstrual pain, which are above all spasmodic, are often prescribed chemical medicines. As an effective alternative here is the Schüssler salt No. 7 Magnesium Phosphoricum recommended. This is a so-called "hot sieves" prepared: Ten tablets are dissolved in 250 milliliters of boiling water, stirred with plastic spoon and then swallowed. The hot magnesium can be drunk two to three times a day. It is best to start with the hot sieves one to two days before menstruation.
Homeopathy for pain
Homeopathic herbal painkillers can relieve pain, but also reduce it completely. For example, arnica works in pain from an injury (fall, surgery, etc.). Gelsemium is a homeopathic remedy used for headache, especially when the pain in the neck begins. When knocking headache is given Belladonna, associated with dizziness Cocculus and along with vomiting Ipecacuanha. Stinging back pain becomes with Colocynth, stiffness in the back becomes with Rhus toxicodendron and strains and dislocations are treated homeopathically with Ruta.
Summary
Pain that occurs frequently must be clarified. In order to treat inflammation, which is causally responsible for the complaints, anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed. In general, this is only appropriate for a few days. However, if you have to take painkillers over a longer period of time, you can use the appropriate herbal painkillers to try to reduce the dose of the chemical medication, perhaps even to reduce it more and more. In mild pain, the herbal alternatives can in many cases completely replace a conventional analgesic. Try it. For chronic complaints, a herbal analgesic is definitely worth a try. (Sw)