Natural Pain Killers

This week I am concentrating on several herbs that have pain killing and/or relaxing effects.

WHITE WILLOW BARK is the original source of salicin - the forerunner of modern day aspirin, though weaker in activity. Down through the ages, well before the discovery of salicin, White Willow bark was used to combat pain of many different sorts, including rheumatism, headache, fever, arthritis, gout, and angina. It is mentioned in ancient Egyptian, Assyrian and Greek manuscripts, and was used to combat pain and fevers by Galen, Hippocrates and Diocorides. Many Native American tribes used it for headache, fever, sore muscles, rheumatism and chills.

FEVERFEW was regarded by the ancient Greeks and Eyptians as a valuable remedy to alleviate headaches, joint pain, stomachaches, menstrual pains and fever. Modern researchers confirm that Feverfew is a valuable herbal remedy that is especially effective in treating migraine headaches and arthritis

KAVA KAVA is an effective relaxant and sleep aid, able to induce a feeling of relaxation, peace and contentment, along with a sharpening of the senses. Increased cognitive function has been observed with Kava Kava use, according to a 1993 article in Neuropsychobiology. Unlike sedatives, Kava Kava improves mental function instead of "dulling the brain.

VALERIAN ROOT has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy, tranquilizer and calmative for several disorders such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, hysteria, menstrual problems, and as a sedative for "nervous" stomach. Valerian root is one of the most studied plants.

SKULLCAP Many physicians of the 19th Century used Skullcap with great success, to treat nervous diseases, convulsions, neuralgia, insomnia, restlessness and even tetanus. In one documented study, Skullcap was demonstrated to stabilize and normalize blood pressure. This may explain why it is usually recommended for pain associated with nervous conditions.

PASSION FLOWER was first investigated scientifically less than 100 years ago when it was found to possess an analgesic (pain-killing) property, and to prevent, without side effects, sleeplessness caused by brain inflammation.

WOOD BETONY has had many folk uses over the past 400 years, in which a mild analgesic effect can be noted, in addition to being anti-diarrhetic, carminative, astringent, and sedative. Wood betony has been used for heartburn, gout, nervousness, catarrh, bladder and kidney stones, asthma and fatigue. Among the eclectic physicians of the last century, it was a much-used medicinal plant. Significant hypotensive activity has been found in the constituents of Wood betony, but much more research is necessary before this plant's full gamut of beneficial activity can be documented. Today, we use this herb to calm the nerves, encourage relaxing sleep, and tone up glandular functioning.

These supplements combined with regular chiropractic care, exercise and a balanced diet can help one to feel better and stay active. Sources for these supplements include health food stores, grocery stores and drug stores.