Medical science is starting to recognize that Nature,
specifically, the plant world, still holds more secret cures to a number of
human ailments. For example, sharks are not known to develop any form of
cancer, and some scientists and researchers are eager to find out why. The
toxins that come from animals such as vipers and scorpions are the same key
ingredients in developing anti-venom for those creatures. Herbal remedies have
been used by various cultures for centuries, with some systems developing
alongside the culture that they originated from, such as Traditional Chinese
Medicine in China and the Ayurvedic Medicine in India. It is, therefore, not
really surprising those pain reliefs derived from various herbs are a distinct
possibility.
Herbal remedies and concoctions have been in use for
centuries, from the hemlock used to poison Aristotle to the various plants and
root extracts that form the foundation of Chinese herbal medicine. For pain
relief, the plant world has given modern medicine and civilization a number of
options. Cannabis and poppy seeds can both be used for pain relief purposes,
though they are more typically used as addictive substances. The essential oils
of lavender, pine, rosemary, juniper and many others, when mixed with oils such
as olive or coconut, can be used as an effective means of dulling the effects
of chronic pain in any part of the body.
Some herbs, such as St. John’s Wort, act in a manner
similar to muscle relaxants and can be used both for pain relief and muscle
relaxation. St. John’s is particularly useful when treating nerves that have
been inflamed, damaged, or strained, because the herb works on the nervous
system in general and not only on the affected areas. Vervain, which is a
similar plant, has been in use for centuries and is lauded by herbalists as
being the herbal equivalent of aspirin when it comes to dealing with pain and
pain relief. Other herbs that affect the nervous system and can be used to
combat the problem of chronic pain include California poppy and oats. All of
these are made available in the market both in formulas and tinctures, as well
as being distributed on their own.
Rose oil is notable for having soothing effects on the
nervous system, which makes it effective as a rub or ointment on afflicted
areas. It also possesses some effective anti-inflammatory agents, making it
effective in dealing with pain caused by conditions such as arthritis and
muscle cramps. Some have also sworn by the relief in brings people who
experience menstrual cramps and spasms, due to the antispasmodic properties of
some of rose oil’s components. Tinctures that contain rose oil have also been
used to help relieve hormonal imbalances, build immune system strength, and
building bones.
There are many more possible herbal remedies that can
provide pain relief. Traditional medicine practitioners even have age-old
formulas and mixtures for specific types and areas of pain. Modern medicine is
slowly discovering the chemical components that achieve this effect, but are
often seen as behind the times when it comes to actual use. Systems such as TCM
and Ayurveda have been using these herbs for centuries and understand what
quantities and what herbs are best for relieving what types of pain in certain
types of people.