Chinese & Japanese Herbs That Stop Nerve Pain

Today, a herbal remedy is called alternative medicine. Alternative medicine means treatment that is not practiced in a hospital setting. Chinese and Japanese herbs have been used to treat pain for thousands of years. There are a variety of herbs that the Chinese and Japanese have been using to treat pain. While the pain-relieving benefit of herbs is not as widely known as conventional medicine, it is growing in popularity because of an increased awareness of the negative side effects of conventional medicine.

Precautions

• A herbal remedy may seem to be a safer natural alternative to conventional medicine but you should talk with your doctor to make sure that it is the right choice for you. Tell your doctor about any herbs you plan on taking to make sure they will not negatively interact with any medication you currently take. Just because herbs are natural does not mean they can escape closer scrutiny. Exercise the same amount of caution with herbs that you use with conventional pain medication.

Herbs

• There are a variety of Chinese and Japanese herbs that are used to treat nerve pain. The most common is ginger. Ginger is a tropical plant that is most commonly used for cooking and healing. Ginger can be used to treat diarrhea, stomachaches, nausea, joint and muscle pain, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ginger should be taken in small doses because when taken in high doses, you may experience certain side effects such as heartburn, gas, bloating and nausea.

  Another herb that is used for nerve pain is ginkgo biloba. The use of ginkgo biloba has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Ginkgo biloba is grown from a tree. Ginkgo is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, tinnitus, sexual dysfunction and multiple sclerosis, to decrease pain caused by narrowing arteries and improve memory. Taking too much ginkgo may result in diarrhea, headaches, dizziness and stomach upset.

  Noni is another herb that is used to treat pain. Noni is an evergreen shrub tree or small tree that grows throughout Southeast Asia. Noni is used to treat joint pain, skin conditions, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. People who have kidney or liver problems should not take noni because it may make their condition worse. Thunder god vine is another herb used to treat inflammation of the immune system, excessive menstrual periods, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and lupus. Thunder god vine has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 400 years. It is important not to eat the leaves, skin and flowers of the plant because they are poisonous and could cause death.

  Tumeric is another herb that is used to treat digestion, liver function, relieve arthritis pain and regulate menstruation, eczema, wound healing, heartburn, stomach ulcers, gallstones and reduce inflammation. High doses of tumeric may cause indigestion.