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Boswellia
This anti-inflammatory remedy
comes from the
Boswellia serrata tree that
grows in India.
The anti-inflammatory properties
of boswellia are attributed to the boswellic acids that it
contains. These acids improve blood flow to the joints and
prevent inflammatory white cells from entering damaged
tissue. Also known as "Indian frankincense," boswellia is
available as a supplement and a topical cream.
For pain and inflammation, a
suggested dose is 450 to 750 mg daily for three to four
weeks. In one study, this decreased arthritis pain by over
80%. Use 900-1,000 mg a day.
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Devil's Claw is a
South African herb that has active in Europe for hundreds of
years
It is very effective against
inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and muscle pain.
Some evidence suggests that devil's claw works about as well
as pain relieving drugs for improving osteoarthritis pain in
the hip and knee. Some people taking devil's claw seem to be
able to lower their dose of NSAIDs or eliminate them
completely.
This evidence comes from a study
that used a specific powdered
devil's claw root product (Harpadol,
Arkopharma) containing 2% of the devil's claw ingredient harpagoside (9.5 mg/capsule) and 3% total iridoid glycosides
(14.5 mg per capsule).
Another specific devil's claw
extract (Doloteffin, Ardeypharm) 2400 mg/day providing 60
mg/day of the harpagoside ingredient has also been used.
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Capsaicin
The active component of chili
peppers,
capsaicin is often used
topically to nerve, muscle, and joint pain. It works by
interfering with substance P, a chemical that helps transmit
pain signals to the brain.
It is available as a topical
cream or gels in several different potencies (most often,
0.025% to 0.075%) and is usually applied three to four times
daily. It can cause some stinging and burning initially, but
it typically subsides with use.
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Cat's claw
Uncaria tomentosa, or
cat's claw, also known as
uņa de gato, grows in South
America.
It contains an anti-inflammatory agent that blocks
the production of the hormone prostaglandin, which
contributes to inflammation and pain. Suggested doses are
250 to 1,000 mg capsules one to three times daily.
Taking
too high a dose may cause diarrhea.
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DMSO and
Sweet Relief cream combined is a completely natural way
to deal with chronic pain
DMSO has many uses, but it
is known mostly as a natural pain killer and transporter.
First synthesized in 1866, DMSO is a sulfur-containing
organic compound that is derived from MSM, and can be used
internally or externally. DMSO can aid injuries such as
sprained ankles, sore muscles and joints, and even
fractures.
It is very effective in treating joint pain when
combined with
capsaicin which dramatically increases effectiveness.
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Curcumin:
Curcumin is a component of the herb turmeric, and it is
a potent painkiller that can block proteins in the body that
cause inflammation and also stops the neurotransmitter
called substance P from sending pain message to the brain.
Studies show that curcumin is effective in easing the
chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis. A suggested dose is
400 to 600 mg of curcumin taken three times daily for pain
and inflammation.
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Omega-3 fatty acids:
The
omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties
that have proven beneficial for people who suffer with
arthritis, other inflammatory joint conditions, and
inflammatory bowel diseases.
Omega-3s also reduce
cardiovascular risk, which is especially helpful for people
with rheumatoid arthritis, which carries an increased risk
for cardiovascular disease. A suggested dose of omega-3
fatty acids as fish oil is 1,000 mg daily.
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Cannabis:
An
investigational cannabinoid therapy helped provide
effective analgesia when used as an adjuvant medication for
cancer patients with pain that responded poorly to opioids,
according to results of a multicenter trial reported in
The Journal
of Pain, published by the American Pain Society.
When patients begin to consume cannabis, there is a notable decline
in the amount of prescribed medications taken, such as
antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and pain relievers.
These drugs
have severe side effects. There is not one clinical study which
examined the use of cannabis for pain relief where subjects were not
able to reduce their drug intake.
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White willow bark:
This herb is
the predecessor of aspirin.
White willow bark contains salicin, which converts to salicylic
acid in the stomach. White willow bark is much less irritating to
the stomach than the synthetic drug, aspirin, while it works to
relieve pain, inflammation, and fever.
A suggested dose is 1 to 2 dropperfuls of white willow bark tincture daily.
