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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:
Homeopathic Treatments:
- 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.
- Bay (laurel)
- Wintergreen
- Peppermint
There is a nerve treatment that combines the following herbs to treat neuralgia. I am not recommending it, nor do I know anyone who has used it, but there are testimonials on their web site. They do not recommend making this combination yourself, as they claim measurements of each herb needs to be precise. However, you may see some herbs and supplements here that you already take or cook with, and continued use of them may improve your symptoms.
- Beleric myrobalan
- Greater cardamom
- Bamboo
- Costus root
- Elecampane
- Cinnamon
- Eaglewood
- White sandalwood
- Ginger root
- Long pepper
- Black cumin
- Chebulic myrobalan
- Smaller cardamom
- Clove
- Saffron
- Licorice
- Foetid cassia
- White sal tree
- Emblic myrobalan
- Nutmeg
- Red sandalwood
And as always, don’t start any new treatment or discontinue any current one without seeking the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider.
Good Health to ALL!
©2011 Off the Grid News
