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Newsletter for July 2012
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Herbs for Pain Management
By
Cathy Wong
(Excerpted from About.com Guide, updated April 24, 2009)
At the heart of many pain-causing conditions is chronic
inflammation. A natural immune response to infection or injury,
inflammation can become chronic due to factors like poor diet,
stress, lack of exercise, and exposure to environmental toxins.
If you suffer from an inflammation-related condition such as
arthritis,
neck and back pain, or
tendonitis, adding
anti-inflammatory herbs to your health regimen may help you
manage your pain. Although not as fast-acting as standard pain
medication, such herbs may significantly diminish your pain when
used regularly (especially when combined with daily exercise and
the practice of
relaxation techniques, both
of which can provide pain reduction).
Keep in mind that anti-inflammatory herbs won't heal your
condition itself, despite their pain-easing effects.
Furthermore, addressing the cause of chronic inflammation is
essential for working your way toward optimal health; not only
known to generate pain, inflammation is a major risk factor for
chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and
diabetes.
Be sure to consult your primary care provider before using
herbs, to avoid making common
mistakes.
Herbal Pain Relief
Here's a look at six inflammation-fighting herbs that may
provide pain relief.
Containing aspirin-like compounds, this herb was found to be as
effective as conventional medicine in lessening pain among
people with mild to fairly severe knee and hip problems in a
2008 study. White willow bark may also alleviate acute back
pain, joint pain, and osteoarthritis.
2) Boswellia
Sourced from a resin found in the bark of frankincense trees,
boswellia has been shown to thwart chemical reactions involved
in inflammation. Practitioners of
ayurvedic medicine have
long used boswellia to treat arthritis; the herb may also
benefit people with inflammatory bowel disease.
3)
Devil's Claw
Traditionally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, devil's claw
may also soothe pain resulting from osteoarthritis, tendonitis,
and back and neck troubles. In a 2007 study of 259 people with
rheumatic conditions, researchers found that 60% of study
members either reduced or stopped their pain medication after
eight weeks of taking devil's claw. The herb also appeared to
improve the participants' quality of life.
4)
Bromelain
An enzyme extracted from pineapple stems, bromelain reduces
levels of prostaglandins, which are hormones that induce
inflammation. Bromelain may benefit people with arthritis and
conditions marked by musculoskeletal tension (such as
TMJ syndrome), as well as
those suffering trauma-related inflammation. What's more, the
enzyme may promote healing in muscles and connective tissues.
5) Curcumin
Another ayurvedic remedy known to tame arthritis pain, curcumin
is a compound found in the curry spice turmeric. In an
animal-based study published in 2007, scientists discovered that
curcumin can overpower pro-inflammatory proteins called
cytokines. The compound may also help decrease pain associated
with autoimmune disorders and tendonitis.
6) Ginger
While sipping ginger tea can help relieve cold-related
congestion, supplementing with this warming herb may deliver
long-lasting health effects. Research indicates that ginger may
calm arthritis pain, possibly by lowering your prostaglandin
levels. One 2005 study even suggests that ginger could reduce
pain and inflammation more effectively than non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin).
Sources
Beer AM, Wegener T. "Willow bark extract (Salicis cortex) for
gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis - Results of a cohort study with a
control group." Phytomedicine 2008 [Epub ahead of print]
Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. "Ginger--an herbal medicinal
product with broad anti-inflammatory actions." Journal of
Medicinal Food 2005 8(2):125-32.
Reyes-Gordillo K, Segovia J, Shibayama M, Vergara P, Moreno MG,
Muriel P. "Curcumin protects against acute liver damage in the
rat by inhibiting NF-kappaB, proinflammatory cytokines
production and oxidative stress." Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
2007 1770(6):989-96.
Warnock M, McBean D, Suter A, Tan J, Whittaker P. "Effectiveness
and safety of Devil's Claw tablets in patients with general
rheumatic disorders." Phtyotherapy Research 2007 21(12):1228-33.
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