What does the science say about herbal remedies for neuropathy?
Is natural neuropathy relief possible?
Do you suffer from a nerve pain condition like neuropathy? The burning, tingling, and numbing sensations of neuropathy can be extremely uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily life. While there are pharmaceutical options available, many people prefer exploring natural, herbal remedies to find relief.
I personally suffer from issues stemming from nerve problems. I explored this topic for my personal life to find even a hint of relief or alternative routes I can take outside of harsh pharmaceuticals.
Herbs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat nerve pain and related conditions. Certain plants contain compounds that may help reduce inflammation, calm the nervous system, and even promote nerve repair. If you're looking for a more holistic approach, incorporating some of these top herbal remedies could provide neuropathy pain relief.
Neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and pain in the affected areas. It usually starts in the hands and feet and can progress upwards.
So, what can we do to support ourselves?
The information offered in this publication is for educational purposes only and by reading you agree that I am not offering any advice or making any claims this is true. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.
What does current research state?
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Long story short: this herb has a hit or miss on people who have used it for nerve complaints.
It belongs to the daisy and sunflower family, Asteraceae. It looks similar to chamomile.
Constituents:
Research has found parthenolide to have possible anti-inflammatory effects. Feverfew is known to have this compound, which may be helpful for certain inflammatory conditions.1
Evidence of effectiveness is mixed on its effectiveness for neuropathy, but it was traditionally used for similar complaints that we know today as nerve pain.
Safety: Do not use around surgery, if you have blood clotting disorders, or are pregnant. Potential drug interactions may occur with anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, salicylates, or thrombolytic agents.2
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Long story short: there have been documented cases of this being effective, but as with any herb, everyone is different.
Herb of the mint family, Lamiaceae. This is a wetland, marsh-loving plant. Other skullcaps include: S. galericulata (common skullcap), S. canescens (western skullcap), and S. cordifolia (southern skullcap).3
Constituents:
Flavonoids - baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, and wogonoside.
Anti-inflammatory effects of Baikal skullcap are well documented.4
Safety: contraindications and interactions are not well documented or identified. Information regarding safety in pregnancy and lactation is also not well documented but has not been specifically studied — consult your healthcare practitioner.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)
Long story short: most people use this as an antidepressant, but there has been promising research. A study done shows promise for restless legs syndrome.5
This is in the Hypericaceae family.
Constituents:
More than 150 constituents have been identified that interact in synergistic, additive, and antagonistic manners to produce a variety of actions.6
Naphthodianthones (hypericin, pseudohypericin)
volatile oils and tannins
phloroglucinols (hyperforin, adhyperforin)7
Safety: Use with antineoplastics, anticoagulants, and anti-infectives (including antivirals), as well as boceprevir, cobicistat, telaprevir, and voriconazole is contraindicated. Avoid taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with this herb. Talk with your healthcare provider about taking during pregnancy as information is conflicting. Avoid during breastfeeding. There are many interactions with this herb so it is highly recommended to speak with a doctor before taking. Adverse reactions occur with overuse. [6]
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Long story short: wonderful for inflammation and needs to be used with black pepper to activate its effects.
The active compound curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can benefit neuropathic pain.
This is in the Zingiberaceae family.
Constituents:
Volatile oil, curcuminoids (including curcumin), and resins.
Studies have hit-or-miss results, but many people swear by turmeric for pain, joint, and nerve health.
Safety: turmeric should not be used at high doses long term.
Contraindications: hypersensitivity to curcumin, pregnancy (emmenagogue and abortifacient effects), lactation, gallstones, or bile duct or passage obstruction.
Interactions: potentially interacts with CYP2D6 and CYP3A substrates, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, cladribine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, salicylates, and thrombolytic agents.8
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Long story short: amazing.
This is in the Zingiberaceae family.
Constituents:
More than 400 different compounds have been identified in ginger.
Zingerone, shogaols, gingerols, sesquiterpenoids, volatile oil, oleoresin are among the key constituents.
Ginger has antioxidant properties that can protect the nervous system from oxidative stress and toxins contributing to nerve damage. It may reduce neuropathic pain (try rubbing some diluted ginger essential oils on the affected area).
Safety: no contraindications have been identified; there is lacking evidence for pregnancy and lactation.
Interactions: might interact with certain medications like warfarin and medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. Agents with antiplatelet properties, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, salicylates or thrombolytic agents, antihypertensives, hypoglycemic agents, and crizotinib interact with ginger.9
Reactions: heartburn has been reported.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata L.)
Long story short: is a star player in the nerve pain game.
This is in the Passifloraceae family. Neuropathy patients report it as useful. 10
Constituents:
Key constituents in P. incarnata include flavonoids, maltol, cyanogenic glycosides, and harman indole alkaloids.11
Safety: FDA has regarded this as ‘generally safe’ in the general population. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, occupational asthma, and rhinitis have occurred with large dosages.
Contraindications: pregnancy (uterine stimulant), lactation is unknown. Should be avoided by those with cardiac arrhythmias and abnormalities.
Interactions: CNS-active medicines and coadministration of drugs that prolong the QT interval.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
These are recommendations based on dried herb only:
Wound Healing - Yarrow has astringent and antimicrobial properties that make it excellent for treating cuts, scrapes, and other minor wounds. Fresh yarrow leaves can be crushed and applied directly to the skin to stop bleeding and promote healing.
This brief guide should enhance your understanding of traditional practices before the advent of modern conveniences. Plants offer support when we need it most!
disclosure:
The information offered in this publication is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.
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please be advised:Â Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have existing conditions.
The content provided in this publication is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. Information in this publication should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The claims made about specific products throughout this publication are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease or ailments.
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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/feverfew#what-is-it
https://www.drugs.com/npp/feverfew.html
Scutellaria lateriflora. (2023, July 31). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scutellaria_lateriflora
https://www.drugs.com/npp/baical-skullcap.html
Pereira JC Jr, Pradella-Hallinan M, Alves RC. Saint John's wort, an herbal inducer of the cytochrome P4503A4 isoform, may alleviate symptoms of Willis-Ekbom's disease. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2013 Apr;68(4):469-74. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(04)06. PMID: 23778343; PMCID: PMC3634959.
https://www.drugs.com/npp/st-john-s-wort.html
Russo E, Scicchitano F, Whalley BJ, et al. Hypericum perforatum: pharmacokinetic, mechanism of action, tolerability, and clinical drug-drug interactions. Phytother Res. 2014;28(5):643-655. doi: 10.1002/ptr.505023897801
https://www.drugs.com/npp/turmeric.html
https://www.drugs.com/npp/ginger.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4765057/
https://www.drugs.com/npp/passion-flower.html