Natural Treatments for Neuralgia

Neuralgia is a malfunction of the nervous system that is characterized by severe, stabbing, or tearing pain along the course of affected nerves. It is a very painful condition for which there is no known cure. The pains can come on in recurring attacks several times a day, or they can be continual, described as a shooting pain that radiates up and down and along the nerve’s path. These pains can be brought on by stress or pressure on the nerve or irritation of the nerve. Some herpes viruses, including shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes, can trigger neuralgia. Heavy metal poisonings, infections, hormonal changes, and metabolic disorders can also lead to neuralgia. Side effects from typical treatments can be harsh, forcing sufferers to look for alternative treatments outside their doctor’s office.

Some neuralgias can be triggered by a vitamin B deficiency. This vitamin affects the nerve cells and heart muscle. The typical dose is 2 mg and can be found in whole grains, yeast, legumes, potatoes, green vegetables and liver. A poorly balanced diet and alcohol consumption are thought to trigger these deficiencies.

Herbs:

Barley Grass
St. John’s Wort
Lemon Balm
Chamomile
Skullcap

Natural Treatments:

Molasses

Holistic Treatments:

Serrepeptase

Homeopathic Treatments:

General Nerve Pain

Aconitine—Three to six for stabbing pains with facial numbness and tingling.
Colocynth—One to six for cramp-like pains along nerve tracts – these often occur on the left side.
Hypercum— For electric-like sharp pains
Staphysagria—For sharp, shooting pains

Facial Neuralgia

Spegelia—For pains on the left side – usually around the eye.
Magnesium phosphorus—Six for cramp-like pain on the right side.
Arsenic Trioxide—Twelve for burning pain that worsen after midnight.

Sciatica

Potassium iodate—Six for tearing pains in the legs that are noticeable worse evenings and nights.
Byrony—Six for leg pain that worsen with movement and coldness.
Allium
Cinchona
Dulcamara
Thuja
Urtica Urens

Gentle External Treatments:

Appling lotions with essential oils and warm compresses may alleviate pain and spasms. You can also massage along the nerve paths and painful areas, using a few drops of essential oils and circular motions. Also, Applying ointments or creams with cayenne (capsicum) to affected areas can relieve pain. Cayenne depletes pain-transmitting compounds from the nerve endings; thus, the nerves stop sending pain signals to the brain. Just remember, using essential oils and homeopathics together may cause the homeopathics’ effects to be reduced. If using both types of treatments, take them at different times – at least an hour apart.

Thermotherapy:

Applying heat to the external areas affected expands the blood vessels, increasing circulation and may relieve pain.

Bathing to Strengthen Nerves:

Bathing with lavender blossoms, spruce, or pine needles in your water will promote circulation and have an antispasmodic effect. Put three ounces in a quart of water. Boil and strain, then add to bath water.

Medicinal Teas:

Valerian Root – place two teaspoons of dried root in a cup of cold water and let steep for twelve to twenty-four hours. Drink two cups daily to alleviate pain.
St. John’s Wort – Steep one teaspoon of dried leaves per cup of boiling water for ten to fifteen minutes. Drink three to six cups for acute neuralgia. Combine with licorice to add an anti-inflammatory action and improve taste.

Aromatherapy: