Chronic Pain is the worst type of pain that could affect any individual. Apart from the actual pain inflicted on one’s body, the individual also has to go through a long time of suffering. The actual suffering could come as shooting, stabbing, burning and in numerous irritable varieties. Normally, people suffering from chronic pain lose resistance and often break down. People suffering from chronic pain normally have tried and tested all the modes such as allopathy, homeopathy, herbal or naturopathy etc. It is a state of chaos and confusion that tempts an individual to try anything and everything that comes in his way. Chronic Pain may affect the shoulders, knees, nerves, neck, back and pelvic parts.
It is however advisable to treat chronic pain with herbal medicines. These are a safe mode of treating chronic pain, unlike prescribed drugs (antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, acetaminophen, anticonvulsants and also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which can cause functional disorders like gastrointestinal bleeding, liver dysfunction and certain side-effects. Moreover, if prescription is carried for a long duration, it could also cause serious damage to brain and other sensory functions.
a.Herbal recipes for Chronic Pain
There is a lot of Herbal medication for Chronic Pain available in the market such as:
1. Feverfew
2. Ginger Tea
3. Carom Seeds
4. Devil’s Claw
1.Feverfew
It is an age old herbal formula belonging to the sunflower family, used to treat toothaches, stomachaches and headaches. This herbal remedy is also used for reducing fever, treating rheumatoid arthritis and migraines. Fewer Few can be used as tincture or in raw form (leaves).
Recipe
Ingredients – If prepared from fresh leaves, tincture will contain flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, camphene, bornyl acetate, camphor,and volatile oils
Preparation – Feverfew is best taken as a tincture. There are a lot of recipes available online for its tincture preparation. Home based tincture can be prepared by soaking or macerating dried Feverfew herb in a solution of alcohol. However, certain experts prescribe the use of glycerol instead of alcohol.
How to use
Use 30 drops of feverfew tincture, thrice daily with a cup of water, juice or hot tea. One can also use it externally by adding one dropper of tincture to half a cup of distilled water. It is recommended to use tincture under supervision.
How Feverfew works
It works for prevention of headaches, persistent migraines and other chronic pain ailments, which are consistent in nature. There is a chemical compound known as sesquiterpene lactones present in it that inhibits serotonin secretion. Serotonin secretion aids in alleviating of migraine and other mild and moderate varieties of chronic pain. Moreover, this herb to a great extent aids in correcting arthritis to a great extent, enabling person mobility.
2.Ginger tea
Ginger reduces pain. It is used to treat chronic pain patients suffering inflammation. However, it is best taken as tea. Ginger tea is also used for treating loose motions, aiding digestion and in relieving sore throats.
Recipe
Ingredients – 4 cups water, 2 inch piece of fresh organic ginger root
Preparation – Cut peeled ginger root into thin pieces. Boil water and add the sliced ginger after boiling. Let it simmer for 15 mins. Strain. Add stevia, honey and lemon to taste.
How to use
Drink the above preparation at least 3 times a day.
How Ginger tea works
It works for prevention of chronic joint pains, bladder dysfunction, chronic inflammation, neck stiffness, muscle spasm and nerve related chronic pain ailments. There is a chemical compound known as sedative valerian along with constituents like volatile oil, mucilage, phenols and alkeloids that aids in alleviating inflammation.
3.Carom Seeds
This seed is used to treat abdominal discomfort and for other antiseptic purposes. It also remains a remedy for intestinal dysfunction.
How to Use
Use 1 tsp. of carom seeds with a pinch of salt, to calm indigestion, gas and other symptoms of gastritis including intestinal problems. Its tincture can been used to relieve rheumatic pains.
How Carom Seeds works
It has calming effect on chronic joint pains, arthritis, joints and musculature. It has certain sedatives, anti-spasmodic, anticonvulsant chemicals that aid in relieving the pain. This herb also enhances blood circulation and negates production of toxins.
4.Devil’s Claw
It is a South African medicinal herbal root. It soothes pain in neck, shoulders, rheumatoid arthritis, back and other muscular tensions. It relieves pain by improving digestive system for good intake of food. As an arthritis cure, this herb is responsible for relieving gall bladder and stomach related pain which are the prime constituents of arthritis related ailment. Its active ingredients are harpagoside, iridoide glycosides and harpagide with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
How to use
Take 750 mg dose (iridoide glycosides) three times daily. When used as a tincture, intake of 1 teaspoon, three times daily with tea is advisable. But patients with liver or kidney diseases should keep away from its use.
How Devil’s claw works
Chemical compounds such as harpagoside and iridoid glycoside present in it, aid in alleviating the cause of muscular and other chronic ailments.
These are only a few herbal recipes used to treat Chronic Pain. If neglected for a period of time, Chronic pain can lead to a new set of problems like depression, fear, anxiety, failing immune system, stress and disability.
