Herbal
Approaches to Pain and Inflammation - .pdf
version
I.
The simple (acute) inflammatory response
a. Symptoms > red, swollen, hot
b. Inflammatory response / pathway in the body >
i. Arachidonic Acid – prostaglandins – COX enzymes –
adrenal/pituitary
ii. Overview of nutrients / conventional drugs affecting inflammation
(EFA’s, allergens, Aspirin, COX2 inhibitors)
c. Materia and Therapeutics
i. External (first choice)
1. Ice
2. Arnica (avoid on broken skin)
3. Ginger compress
ii. Internal
1. Salicylates (inhibit all COX enzymes)
2. Rosemary – Ginger – Skullcap (COX2 specific)
3. Steroidal analogues – Licorice
II.
The recurring (chronic) inflammatory response
a. Types, and the systems (pathways) affected
i. Recurrent injury (weakened joint, etc.)
ii. Osteo-skeletal system (osteoarthritis, etc.)
iii. Muscular – connective system (chronic back pain, fibromialgia,
lupus, and other systemic inflammation)
iv. Nervous system (chronic back pain, depression, ‘phantom’
pain, systemic inflammation)
v. Adrenal system (chronic fatigue, systemic inflammation and the
role of cortisol in the body)
vi. Digestive system (heartburn, ulcers, IBS, candida)
vii. Circulatory system (migraines, for example)
viii. Headaches – a multi-sourced inflammation. Reminder that
all recurrent/ chronic pain involves a more complex problem and
different systems.
b. Materia and Therapeutics for chronic pain
i. Intro – stress (and modern society)
ii. Stress reduction techniques; awareness of ‘trigger points’
iii. Herbal tea as ritual, for example Rosemary, Skullcap, Blue
Vervain, Wood Betony, Licorice, Ginger
iv. Nutritional support therapy and the role of cleansing
1. Ensure absorption of nutrients – bitters
2. Light cleanse – sprouts, greens, nettles, veg. Broth
3. Define allergens (elimination diet after a light cleanse)
4. Focus on digestive problems, add more EFA and balance diet
v. External treatments (see above)
vi. Internal treatments
1. Avoid chronic use of salicylates
2. Systemic anti-inflammatory herbs (Bromelain, Cat’s Claw,
Turmeric, Feverfew)
3. COX2 specific anti-inflammatory herbs (Rosemary, Ginger, Skullcap)
4. Steroid (cortisol) – like herbs (Licorice, Korean &
American Ginseng)
5. Nervous system tonic & anti-inflammatory herbs (Oats, Chamomile,
Skullcap, Blue Vervain, Wood Betony)
6. Circulation-specific herbs (Feverfew, Ginkgo)
III.
Summary of the Materia Medica – Ginger, Arnica, Meadowsweet,
Willow, Rosemary, Skullcap, Vervain, Betony, Licorice, Cat’s
Claw, Turmeric
Ginger
Zingiber officinalis
An all-around aid for inflammation management, Ginger is an anodyne
(pain-reliever), improves circulation, counters coldness and stiffness,
and re-invigorates muscular tissue. Its excellent warming qualities
have also been used for the digestive system, for conditions ranging
from nausea and stomach upset, to indigestion and chronic ulcers.
Invaluable in the short term, where it provides near-instant relief
for sprain and strains, Ginger is also very good at breaking up
stubborn aches when used regularly.
Method: Hot
tea (internally) or compress (externally) of the root.
Dose: Tea of 1TBS dry Ginger / pint of water, simmered for 20 min.
Tea of 1.5TBS fresh grated Ginger / pint of water, simmered 20 min.
Alternatively,
the tincture or capsules can be used, especially for nausea and
upset stomach. But overall, the warm tea is most effective.
Arnica
Arnica montana, Arnica chamissonis
This herb is the premier remedy for bruises and contusions. When
applied right away, it can virtually eliminate swelling and ‘black-and-blue’
marks from an injury, and greatly speed recovery. The homeopathic
dilution of Arnica is equally effective, and can prevent swelling
and bruising if taken before surgery. Arnica is also useful for
chronic pain, especially associated with arthritis, and although
not curative can give much needed pain relief and mobility to achy
joints.
Method: Homeopathic
dilution (internally); Tincture or infused oil (externally) of the
flowers.
Dose: Tincture or oil of Arnica applied liberally to the affected
area, and massaged vigorously until warm.
Homeopathic dilution of Arnica montana, 6X to 30C, every hour until
swelling reduces.
Use caution when applying Arnica to broken skin. If there is a lot
of bleeding, it is best to try another approach. Never take undiluted
Arnica internally, use only a homeopathic dilution for this purpose.
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria, Spirea ulmaria
The source of the original aspirin, Meadowsweet is rich in salicylates,
potent anti-inflammatory compounds that work well on many types
of pain. Very effective for stiffness and aches, it is however more
slow-acting that an aspirin would be.
It is applied specifically for inflammation of the lower digestive
tract, helping to manage conditions such as Chron’s disease
/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is also astringent, and useful for
diarrhea in general. However, because of its similarity to aspirin,
it should be avoided for inflammation of the upper GI tract (as
in stomach ulcers).
Method: Tincture
or Tea of the bark, leaves and flowers
Dose: Tincture of Meadowsweet, 2-4 ml (droppers) 3x /day
Tea of Meadowsweet, 8TBS / quart of water, steeped 30 min.
Avoid during
pregnancy.
Willow (White
and Black Willow)
Salix alba, Salix nigra
The bark of the Willow tree has many of the same properties as Meadowsweet,
and contains many similar compounds. It is perhaps a little more
effective for headaches and other acute episodes of pain, and always
helpful in more chronic, musculo-skeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis.
It can also be used externally with good results. Long-term use
of Willow is discouraged for people with upper GI inflammation (see
Meadowsweet).
Method: Tincture
or Tea (internally), compress (externally) of the bark.
Dose: Tincture of Willow, 2-3 ml (droppers) 3x /day
Tea of Willow, 5TBS / quart of water, simmered 20 min.
Avoid during
pregnancy.
Rosemary
Rosemarinus officinalis
This more common culinary herb is remarkably versatile, gentle and
soothing to the nervous system while also powerfully effective on
chronic pain. It is an opening herb that relieves internal tension
by unlocking blockages and stimulating stagnations. Its applications
range from arthritis to complex syndromes such as fibromyalgia.
Rosemary is warming, and traditionally an excellent ‘Brain
Tonic’ ~ which highlights its powerful effect on the nervous
system. Its stimulating power can also be used externally helping
to relax tight, congested tissues.
Method: Tincture
or tea (internally), compress or dilute essential oil (externally)
of the leaves.
Dose: Tincture of Rosemary, 1-2 ml (droppers) 2-3x /day
Tea of Rosemary, 2TBS / pint of water steeped 15 min.
Essential oil of Rosemary, 5 drops in 1TBS Olive oil, apply externally
Avoid during
pregnancy.
Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
Recent research (D. Hoffman et al.) has underlined the primary use
for Skullcap: it is a good hypnotic, meaning it relaxes the mind
and nervous system without altering one’s ‘mental state’.
Many chronic conditions can benefit from a simple cup of Skullcap
tea in the afternoon, to break the cycle of anxiety > tension
> inflammation and provide a small island in the sea of today’s
stressful lives. Skullcap also has a direct effect on the chronic
inflammatory pathways, working powerful synergies with herbs such
as Ginger and Rosemary for long-term inflammatory support that has
no dangers to the digestive tract.
Method: Tincture
or tea (internally), infused oil (externally) of the leaves.
Dose: Tincture of Skullcap, 3-5 ml (droppers) 2-3x /day
Tea of Skullcap, 6TBS / quart of water steeped 30 min.
Infused oil, apply externally to sore muscles
Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata, Verbena officinalis
This herb is a subtle but powerful tonic for the agitated nervous
system. Controlling ‘inflamed nerves’ can have dramatic
results in reducing stress levels: as a result, chronic tension
and irritability can often be brought under control. Blue Vervain
is best used as an addition to a primary form of pain management,
when it is clear that the nervous system is over-agitated or overextended
from prolonged stress.
Method: Tincture
of the flowering tops
Dose: Tincture of Blue Vervain, 2-3 ml (droppers) 3x /day
Because it is
so bitter, it is difficult to take Blue Vervain as a tea if it is
by itself. If mixed with other herbs (such as Licorice), or a little
honey, it gets easier.
Licorice
Glycyrrhiza glabra
This is perhaps one of the most essential herbs for chronic pain
management of many types. It reinvigorates tired muscles, reduces
swelling and redness, provides relief for aches and pains throughout
the body, and has a wonderfully soothing effect on the entire GI
tract, from the throat and stomach (it is our first line of therapy
for ulcers and heartburn) to the large intestine. It can help with
endurance.
Especially when coupled with some rest and other herbs that support
the adrenal glands (American Ginseng, Eleuthero, Nettles), it can
virtually eliminate chronic tension and fatigue due to constant
stress. Since much of the pain we feel on a daily basis can ultimately
be traced to stress, Licorice is a valuable and very powerful ally.
It should be used with caution, taking breaks, if high blood pressure
is an issue. In these cases, it is also preferable to take the tea
rather than the tincture.
Method: Tincture,
Tea, or just whole roots to nibble on
Dose: Tincture of Licorice, 3-4 ml (droppers) 2-3x /day
Tea of Licorice, 2 TBS / pint of water simmered 15 min.
Whole Licorice root, a 2” piece daily
Avoid during
pregnancy and with excessively high blood pressure.
