Nerve Pain: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is a condition characterized by intense, burning, or stabbing sensations in the nerves, often resulting from damage or compression.

Common causes include diabetes, shingles, injuries, and infections. If left untreated, nerve pain can lead to fatigue, sleep disturbances, and decreased quality of life.

Fortunately, herbal remedies such as capsaicin, turmeric, and ashwagandha can help alleviate symptoms. To relieve nerve pain, consider topical creams, ointments, or teas made from these herbs.

However, consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as some may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of nerve pain, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of nerve pain?

The main causes of nerve pain are primarily attributed to damage or compression of the nerves, which can be a result of various underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus, leading to diabetic neuropathy, a common cause of nerve pain affecting approximately 60-70% of people with the condition.

Additionally, other medical conditions including multiple sclerosis, peripheral artery disease, and certain types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, can also cause nerve pain. Trauma to the nerves, including injuries and surgical procedures, can also lead to nerve pain, as can infections like shingles, a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Furthermore, certain medications, such as certain antidepressants and blood pressure medications, can also cause nerve pain as a side effect.

Genetic conditions, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, can also contribute to nerve pain.

• Diabetes: Diabetes is a leading cause of nerve pain due to high blood sugar levels damaging the nerve fibers over time, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet.
• Herniated Disc: A herniated disc can compress or pinch nearby nerves, causing nerve pain in the back, neck, and legs due to the pressure on the nerve roots.
• Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the protective covering of nerve fibers, leading to nerve pain, numbness, and weakness in various parts of the body.
• Shingles: Shingles is a viral infection that causes nerve pain due to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which can lead to a painful rash and nerve inflammation.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes nerve pain in the wrist and hand due to the compression of the median nerve, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
• Sciatica: Sciatica is a condition that causes nerve pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs due to the compression of the sciatic nerve, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the leg.
• Postherpetic Neuralgia: Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition that causes nerve pain due to the nerve damage caused by shingles, which can lead to chronic pain in the affected area.
• Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause nerve pain due to the inflammation of the nerve tissues, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in various parts of the body.
• Tumors: Tumors, whether benign or malignant, can compress or invade nearby nerves, causing nerve pain due to the pressure on the nerve roots or the invasion of the tumor into the nerve tissue.
• Injuries: Injuries, such as fractures or sprains, can cause nerve pain due to the compression or stretching of the nerve fibers, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected area.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for nerve pain?

The main medicinal herbs used for nerve pain are Zingiber officinale, Capsicum annuum, Acmella oleracea, Ginkgo biloba, Curcuma longa, Hypericum perforatum, Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Withania somnifera, Cannabis sativa.

Zingiber officinale, a natural anti-inflammatory, contains gingerols and shogaols that inhibit pain by blocking prostaglandins and reducing inflammation. Capsicum annuum and Acmella oleracea contain capsaicin and spilanthol, respectively, which activate the TRPV1 receptor, blocking pain signals to the brain. Ginkgo biloba, Curcuma longa, and Hypericum perforatum possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system, alleviating nerve pain.

Additionally, Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Withania somnifera, and Cannabis sativa exert their analgesic effects through mechanisms involving GABA, serotonin, and opioids, further contributing to the relief of nerve pain.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and alleviating pain through its bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Capsicum annuum: Capsicum annuum, also known as chili pepper, helps with nerve pain by releasing capsaicin, a bioactive compound that binds to pain receptors, blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain and reducing inflammation.
• Acmella oleracea: Acmella oleracea, also known as paracress, helps with nerve pain by releasing sesquiterpene lactones, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, reducing pain and inflammation in the nervous system.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba helps with nerve pain by improving blood flow to the nervous system, reducing inflammation, and scavenging free radicals, which contribute to nerve damage and pain.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric, helps with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and alleviating pain through its bioactive compound curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John's Wort, helps with nerve pain by releasing hyperforin, a bioactive compound that has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, reducing pain and inflammation in the nervous system.
• Valeriana officinalis: Valeriana officinalis, also known as valerian root, helps with nerve pain by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, which can contribute to the alleviation of nerve pain.
• Passiflora incarnata: Passiflora incarnata, also known as passionflower, helps with nerve pain by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, which can contribute to the alleviation of nerve pain.
• Withania somnifera: Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, helps with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and alleviating pain through its bioactive compounds, including withanolides, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Cannabis sativa: Cannabis sativa, also known as cannabis, helps with nerve pain by releasing cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain and inflammation in the nervous system.

What are the main herbal preparations used for nerve pain?

The main herbal preparations used for nerve pain are Tincture, Capsules, Decoction, Salves, Gels, Ointments, Creams, Suppository, Poultices, Balm.

Tincture is made by steeping herbs in a solvent, concentrated to relieve nerve pain by containing bioactive compounds such as capsaicin, which blocks pain transmission. Capsules contain powdered herbs like Devil's Claw and Willow Bark, standardized to contain specific amounts of active compounds like harpagoside and salicin, respectively, which reduce inflammation and pain. Decoction involves simmering herbs like Ashwagandha and Valerian Root to release their bioactive compounds, which have sedative and anti-inflammatory properties to calm nerve pain.

Salves, Gels, Ointments, Creams, Suppository, Poultices, and Balm are topical preparations made from herbs like Arnica, Aloe Vera, and Capsaicin, which provide localized relief by reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and promoting healing through the skin.

• Tincture: A tincture of herbal extracts such as Corydalis yanhusuo, containing tetrahydroprotoberberine alkaloids, helps with nerve pain by reducing neuropathic pain and inflammation through its central nervous system depressant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Capsules: Capsules containing the herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) help with nerve pain by reducing neuropathic pain and inflammation through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Decoction: A decoction of the herb Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) helps with nerve pain by reducing neuropathic pain through its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
• Salves: Salves containing the herb Willow bark (Salix alba), which contains salicin, help with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Gels: Gels containing the herb Capsicum (Capsicum annuum), which contains capsaicin, help with nerve pain by reducing neuropathic pain through its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Ointments: Ointments containing the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) help with nerve pain by reducing neuropathic pain through its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
• Creams: Creams containing the herb Arnica (Arnica montana) help with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
• Suppository: Suppositories containing the herb Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) help with nerve pain by reducing neuropathic pain through its sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Poultices: Poultices containing the herb Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) help with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
• Balm: Balm containing the herb Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), which contains methyl salicylate, helps with nerve pain by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.