Herbal Treatments for Spinal Cord Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain of the spinal cord transmits pain signals from your spine to your brain, even if an injury has healed and is no longer present. Despite the lack of tissue damage, you will still experience pain as your brain perceives pain from the inappropriate signals sent by nerves in and around your spinal column. The cause of neuropathic pain is unclear, but it is believed to stem from nerve damage from an injury. Symptoms include sharp pains, tingling, weakness, numbness, and limited mobility. Herbal remedies can help diminish this pain.

Turmeric

• Turmeric is an herb that contains curcumin, which is responsible for reducing inflammation and pain. This herb has antioxidants that also promote healthy cellular growth and the destruction of free radicals that threaten healthy cellular structures. Consume 300 mg of turmeric three times daily for relief of spinal cord pain and inflammation from back pain. Use 15 to 30 drops of turmeric tincture four times daily for spine pain.

  Do not exceed the recommended dose of turmeric; excessive amounts may cause gastrointestinal upset and ulcer development. If you have gallstones or obstructions of bile passages, get a doctor's permission before using turmeric. Diabetics should also speak with a doctor before using this herbal remedy, because turmeric can lower blood glucose levels. Breastfeeding and pregnant females should not use this herb. Turmeric consumption may interact with other medications like warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin, cimetidine, famotidine, ramitidine, esomeprazole, omeprazole, and diabetic medications may be intensified by the herb's consumption.

Cat's Claw

• Cat's claw is a common herbal remedy for pain relief; this herb is used to treat ulcers, dysentery, abdominal pain, inflammation, fevers, and arthritic conditions. The herb contains sterols and tannins that help minimize inflammation and pain. Consume cat's claw as a standardized extract; take 20 mg three times daily for the treatment of inflammation associated with spine pain, or make a tea by brewing 1 to 10 g of cat's claw bark in 8 oz. of water for 15 minutes; allow the mixture to cool and strain out any floating debris before you consume it. Drink cat's claw tea three times a day for inflammation relief.

  Stop using cat's claw if you experience diarrhea, nausea, and vertigo. Pregnant women should not use this herb, because it can increase the risk of miscarriage. People with compromised immune systems should also avoid using this herb. This herb may interact with immunosuppressive medications like cyclosporine, anticoagulants, diuretics, progestins, estrogens, and blood pressure medications.

Devil's Claw

• Devil's claw is an herb commonly used to treat painful conditions; this herb alleviates inflammation, pain, and gastrointestinal issues. It is used to treat arthritic conditions, degenerative conditions of your joints, back pain, and it is a digestive tonic. The herb has iridoid glycosides that offer anti-inflammatory agents that provide pain relief. Consume 100 to 200 g of devil's claw as a standardized extract one to two times a day for spine pain relief. To drink as a tea, brew 1.5 to 4 g of the dried herb in a cup of water; allow the mixture to cool and strain out the floating debris. Drink the beverage one to three times daily for pain relief.

  Side effects of this herb may include gastrointestinal issues. Do not use this herb if you have duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers or gallstones. Breastfeeding women and pregnant females should not use devil's claw; studies are insufficient to determine its effects on pregnant and nursing women. This herb may interact with warfarin, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diabetic medications, anticoagulants, diuretics, and beta blockers.