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Proven Natural Medicine for Pain

If you are sick of taking paracetamol or codeine for your pain then have a look at the list of natural medicines that have been proven to ease the likes of fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

Bromelain (Ananas comosus)

Bromelian is an enzyme found in pineapple and has had a fair amount of clinical research completed on it but needs more. So far although the studies have been small, bromelain has shown significant results in reducing pain, especially in osteoarthritis patients. Bromelain does this by reducing white blood cell activation locally and breaking down proteins, this all leads to reducing inflammation and therefore pain.

These results were found at a dose of 400mg a day. For this dose and more see Bromelain 500 mg 30 capsules: K

Walker AF, Bundy R, Hicks SM, Middleton RW. Bromelain reduces mild acute knee pain and improves well-being in a dose-dependent fashion in an open study of otherwise healthy adults. Phytomedicine 2002;9:681-6.

Willow Bark (Salix species)

Salicin in willow bark is converted to an aspirin like substance and inhibits (COX) enzymes which gives it an analgesic effect.

Research is conflicting on whether willow bark significantly helps pain. More research is needed before this natural medicine can be labelled a proven natural medicine for pain.

Biegert C, Wagner I, Ludtke R, et al. Efficacy and safety of willow bark extract in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: results of 2 randomized double-blind controlled trials. J Rheumatol 2004;31:2121-30.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Early evidence does show that stinging nettle orally and topically may reduce pain. Dosage for this plant is still unclear as research is still young. Stinging nettle can be found at Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica) 90 capsules: K

Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, et al. Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain. J R Soc Med 2000;93:305-9.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the COX-2 and prostaglandins. Turmeric contains a constitiuent curcumin and has had positive research for discomfort relating to rheumatoid arthritis.

Turmeric is therefore a proven natural medicine for rheumatoid arthritis pain. For more information on this product click on the image to your right.

Deodhar SD, Sethi R, Srimal RC. Preliminary study on antirheumatic activity of curcumin (diferuloyl methane). Indian J Med Res 1980;71:632-4.

Phellodendron amurense

Claims have been made with this plant that it inhibits COX-2 by the active constituent berberine. However, there is no clinical data that this plant helps relieve pain.

Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

The constituent harpagoside in this plant has anti-inflmmatory effects. Research has shown that the isolated glycoside does ease agony associated with osteoarthritis.

The dose for this effect however is based on the isolated glycoside and not the entire plant. Relief can be felt at a dose of 57mg a day of harpagoside. For access to a standardized preparation see Nature's Way Standardized Devils Claw - 90 capsules

Chrubasik S, Thanner J, Kunzel O, et al. Comparison of outcome measures during treatment with the proprietary Harpagophytum extract doloteffin in patients with pain in the lower back, knee or hip. Phytomedicine 2002;9:181-94.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Unfortunately ginger should be left on the spice rack when talking about pain. Much research has gone into this herb but all its’ shown is that it does not reduce the need for other analgesics and therefore does not improve any pain on its’ own.

Ginger does not help ease pain.

Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of ginger extract on knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2001;44:2531-38.

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria guianensis)

Cat’s claw inhibits prostaglandin synthesis therefore it is a proven anti-inflammatory. 100mg per day has been proven to reduce the discomfort seen in osteoarthritic patients, especially in the knee during physical activity. For product information see Nature's Way's Cats Claw SE 60Caps

Please note that the research showed that it did not help any aching when at rest.

Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, et al. Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis. Inflamm Res 2001;50:442-448.

5-HTP

Researchers are unsure as to how this substance works but it appears to help but there is some clinical data that shows 5-HTP 100mg three times daily to be effective for pain relating to fibromyalgia. It may have something to do with the anti-depressant effect it may have which helps with neuropathic pain. Please note that this product is under scrutiny for its’ relation to causing EMS, please refer to your health practitioner and familiarise yourself with our disclaimer page.

Caruso I, Sarzi Puttini P, Cazzola M, Azzolini V. Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome. J Int Med Res 1990;18:201-9.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Thought to help with pain because of its anti-depressant effect, St. John’s wort was researched in relation to neuropathic pain but with negative results. St. John’s wort does not help pain.

Sindrup SH, Madsen C, Bach FW, et al. St. John's wort has no effect on pain in polyneuropathy. Pain 2000;91:361-5.

L-Tryptophan

L-Tryptophan is thought to cause EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome) and is not recommended for the use in pain-related disorders. Research has shown that it is ineffective in treating pain.

Seltzer S, Dewart D, Pollack R. The effects of dietary tryptophan on chronic maxillofacial pain and experimental pain tolerance. J Psychiatr Res 1982-83;17:181-6.

Glucosamine Sulfate

Glucosamine is commonly used for treating discomfort in osteoarthritis. This naturally occurring substance is thought to increase synovial fluid around the joints which helps repair damaged tissue and activates the synthesis of new cartilage.

Research done over many years has determined that glucosamine reduces pain in osteoarthritis and improves function by up to 41%. The dosage for this effect is 1500mg a day of glucosamine sulfate. This does not apply to glucosamine hydrochloride. Glucosamine sulfate is a proven natural medicine for pain relating to osteoarthritis. For only 2 tablets a day, the best value glucosamine can be found at SF Glucosamine Sulfate (750mg - 120 Capsules)

Herrero-Beaumont G, Roman JA, Trabado MC, et al. Effects of glucosamine sulfate on a 6-month control of knee osteoarthritis symptoms vs placebo and acetaminophen: Results from the Glucose Unum in Die Efficacy (GUIDE) Trial. American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting. San Diego November 12 - 17, 2005. Abstract 1203.

Capsicum (Cayenne pepper)

Capsaicin is the active ingredient found in capsicum that delivers excellent relief in topical form. You can buy this product over the counter and has been proven to help in osteoarthritis when applied in cream form. Evidence has also shown that it helps reduce back pain found in fibromyalgia.

Gagnier JJ, van Tulder MW, Berman B, Bombardier C. Herbal medicine for low back pain. A Cochrane review. Spine 2007;32:82-92.

Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora)

Camphor is an approved FDA agent for reducing pain. It is an analgesic and anaesthetic and used topically in cream form. It is best used for acute pain. To topically ease your pain see Eucamint

Committee on Drugs. American Academy of Pediatrics. Camphor revisited: Focus on toxicity. Pediatrics 1994;94:127-8.

L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid

Source Naturals Acetyl L Carnitine+ Alpha Lipoic Acid 650 MG 30

These two products have been proven to help pain related to diabetic neuropathy. Research is young still but so far promising.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)

There is only a small amount of clinical data on the effects of MSM and pain. Same data claims that it MAY help discomfort found in osteoarthritis but there is not enough evidence to claim it as a proven natural medicine for pain.

Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;14:286-94.

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)

SAMe is often used in depression but this naturally occuring substance has also been researched and proven to help pain. SAMe stimulates the growth of cartilage which helps repair damaged tissue. It has also been proven to be as effective as NSAIDS and Celebrex in osteoarthrits.

SAMe is a first class alternative to mainstream analgesics. Pain relief is at a dose of 200mg 2-3 times daily. For a pain free one a day see SAMe - 400mg

Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F, et al. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: A double-blind crossover trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2004;5:6.

Cetylated fatty acids

These fatty acids are only just starting to be researched but show promising results. They are thought to decrease inflammation and lubricate the joints. Best results have been seen when used for pain in the knee due to osteoarthritis.

Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA, Anderson JM, et al. Effect of a cetylated fatty acid topical cream on functional mobility and quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 2004;31:767-74.

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