Medicinal Plants for Neuropathic Pain ~ NepalAyurveds.com

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Medicinal Plants for Neuropathic Pain

Discover the power of nature in relieving neuropathic pain with medicinal plants like sage, cannabis extracts,

Living with neuropathic pain can be challenging, affecting millions of people worldwide. Neuropathic pain stems from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system, often causing sharp, shooting, or burning sensations that can significantly impact one's quality of life. Traditional pain medications may provide limited relief and sometimes come with unwanted side effects. In the quest for alternative solutions, medicinal plants have emerged as a promising avenue for alleviating neuropathic pain.

Throughout history, various cultures have relied on the healing properties of plants to manage pain and promote overall well-being. In recent years, scientific research has delved into the therapeutic potential of medicinal herbs in addressing neuropathic pain. These plants contain a myriad of bioactive compounds that interact with the body's systems, offering analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects.

Pain is a feeling that tells us something is wrong with our body. There are two main types: acute pain, which happens right after an injury and goes away as we heal, and chronic pain, which can last a long time and might be linked to an illness or injury. Chronic neuropathic pain is a type of long-lasting pain caused by damage to the nerves. It can be hard to treat because it comes from different reasons and the drugs we have can have bad side effects.

What is Neuropathic Pain?

Neuropathic pain is a type of pain that occurs due to damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. Unlike typical pain caused by an injury or illness, neuropathic pain can feel different. It might be described as burning, shooting, or like an electric shock. This pain can be chronic, meaning it lasts for a long time, and it can be difficult to treat. Conditions like diabetes, shingles, multiple sclerosis, and injuries to the nerves can all cause neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain can happen suddenly or be triggered by something physical. It can make you feel more pain than usual (hyperalgesia) or make things that aren't usually painful hurt (allodynia). When you get hurt, your body tries to heal itself, but sometimes it becomes too sensitive to pain. This is called peripheral sensitization. Most times, this sensitivity goes away as you heal, but if the injury or disease continues, the nerves might stay sensitive. Changes in nerve cells in the spine or brain can also cause pain.

Different things can cause these nerve changes, like the brain becoming more sensitive to pain (central sensitization). This can happen because of certain chemicals in the body. When cells that aren't nerves get activated, they release substances that cause inflammation and make pain worse. These changes play a big role in neuropathic pain.

People have been using natural products like herbal medicines for a long time. Recently, more people are choosing herbal medicines because they have fewer problems and side effects compared to man-made drugs. Because of this, there's been more interest in studying these remedies for treating painful nerve conditions.

Bojho (Acorus calamus )

Acorus calamus, which is from the Araceae family, has been used in traditional Indian medicine for many inflammatory disorders. Studies on rats have shown that a certain extract of A. calamus can reduce different kinds of nerve pain caused by injuries to specific nerves. This extract also lowers levels of certain substances associated with inflammation in the nerves.

Chhatiwan (Alstonia scholaris)

Alstonia scholaris, belonging to the Apocyanaceae family, has been traditionally used to treat various conditions like diarrhea, malaria, and rheumatic pains. Researchers found that a specific extract of this plant can reduce different types of nerve pain in rats by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Tarragan (Artemisia dracunculus )

Artemisia dracunculus, part of the Asteraceae family, is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Studies on rats showed that an extract of A. dracunculus can improve nerve function and reduce pain in conditions related to high-fat diets.

Palans (Butea monosperma )

Butea monosperma, found in forests and open areas, has been traditionally used for various health issues including arthritis and wound healing. Research suggests that extracts from this plant can reduce nerve pain in rats by protecting the nerves and reducing oxidative stress.

Indrayan (Citrullus colocynthis )

Citrullus colocynthis, a plant from the cucurbitaceae family, has been traditionally used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have shown that extracts from this plant can reduce pain and inflammation in mice and rats. In a clinical trial, a topical formulation of C. colocynthis extract helped reduce pain in patients with painful diabetic nerve damage.

Haledo (Curcuma longa)

Curcuma longa is a plant that has been used for a long time in medicine. It comes from tropical parts of Asia. One important part of this plant is curcumin, which has properties that help with pain and inflammation. In studies with mice, curcumin reduced pain sensitivity by affecting certain chemicals in the spine. It also worked with some receptors in the body that help with pain relief. Another study found that curcumin reduced pain and inflammation in rats by affecting certain enzymes in the body.

Kesar (Crocus sativus )

Crocus sativus, also known as saffron, is a plant used in traditional medicine for various health issues. It's found in countries like Iran, India, and Greece. Important parts of saffron are crocin, crocetin, safranal, and picrocrocin. These parts help reduce pain and inflammation. In studies with rats and mice, saffron extracts and safranal reduced symptoms of nerve pain. They also lowered levels of certain chemicals linked to pain and inflammation.

Wild olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a plant found in Asia and Europe. It's used in traditional medicine to reduce pain, especially in conditions like arthritis. Some parts of this plant have muscle-relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies found that extracts from this plant reduced pain in mice with nerve damage. Flavonoids, which are compounds in the plant, are thought to be responsible for its pain-relieving effects. In a recent study, the plant extract was as effective as ibuprofen for reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a popular herb known for its protective effects on the brain and memory. It contains compounds like ginkgolides and bilobalide. Studies suggest that ginkgo biloba can reduce nerve pain by fighting inflammation and oxidative stress. In experiments with rats, ginkgo biloba extract reduced sensitivity to pain caused by nerve damage. It also protected against damage to nerve cells. Another study found that a specific extract of ginkgo biloba improved pain symptoms in rats with diabetes.

Kaim (Mitragyna speciose)

Mitragyna speciosa is a plant found in Southeast Asia. Its leaves have been used traditionally to relieve pain and fever. One compound in the plant, called 7-hydroxymitragynine, acts like opioids in the body, reducing pain. Scientists have developed new compounds from this plant that are even more effective at relieving pain. In experiments with mice, these compounds reduced pain caused by nerve damage.

Tite Karela (Momordica charantia)

Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon, is a plant found in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It's used in traditional medicine for various health issues. Studies suggest that bitter melon can reduce nerve pain by acting on certain receptors in the body. In experiments with rats, bitter melon extract reduced sensitivity to pain caused by nerve damage. It also reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in nerve tissue.

Mungrelo (Nigella sativa)

Nigella sativa, also known as black seed, is a plant used in traditional medicine. It contains compounds like thymoquinone that have antioxidant properties. Studies suggest that black seed and thymoquinone can reduce nerve pain by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. In experiments with rats, thymoquinone improved symptoms of nerve pain caused by conditions like diabetes and chemotherapy.

Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum)

Ocimum sanctum, a plant found in India, is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various illnesses like arthritis and eye diseases. Studies have shown that it can help reduce nerve damage and pain caused by conditions like sciatica. It also lowers levels of harmful substances in the body that increase pain. Another study found that it can ease neuropathic pain by reducing stress on nerves and lowering calcium levels in the body.

Bhui Amala (Phyllanthus amarus)

Phyllanthus amarus is a plant that's part of a large group with over 600 species. It's used in traditional medicine in many countries for treating different ailments like flu and diabetes. Research suggests that extracts from this plant can reduce nerve pain in mice. It works partly by reducing inflammation, a common cause of pain.

Pterodon pubescens

Pterodon pubescens Benth., a tree native to Brazil, has been used in folk medicine for its pain-relieving properties. Studies show that extracts from its fruits can ease both inflammatory and neuropathic pain in animals. It works by inhibiting inflammatory reactions and reducing pain signals in the nervous system.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis )

Rosmarinus officinalis, or rosemary, is a plant known for its use in traditional medicine for conditions like menstrual pain and rheumatism. It contains compounds that can reduce inflammation in the body. Research suggests that extracts from rosemary can lower levels of inflammatory markers in nerve-damaged rats, reducing their pain.

Majitho (Rubia cordifolia )

Rubia cordifolia, an ayurvedic herb, is found in various regions like India and Africa. Different parts of this plant are used for their pain-relieving properties. Studies have shown that extracts from its roots can reduce swelling and increase pain tolerance in animals. It may work by affecting certain brain chemicals or through its antioxidant effects.

Risi (Sage: )

Sage is a plant that grows in many places around the world. It can help with headaches that come from nerve problems. Different parts of sage can stop cells from getting damaged and reduce swelling. Tests on rats showed that extracts from sage can reduce pain and swelling caused by certain chemicals. Some specific parts of sage seem to work like pain-relief drugs.

Ganja (Cannabis)

Some substances found in cannabis plants can help with nerve pain. These substances, called THC and CBD, can reduce swelling and make you feel hungry or stop you from throwing up. They've been approved in Canada to help with nerve pain in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Tests on rats showed that one type of cannabis extract can stop nerve pain caused by injury. Studies on people showed that THC/CBD can lower nerve pain in diseases like HIV and cancer, even in cases where regular pain medicine doesn't work well.

BIkha (Aconitum: )

Lappaconitine is a substance from a plant called Aconitum. People have used it for pain relief for a long time, especially in China and Japan. Tests on rats showed that lappaconitine can lower pain from nerve damage. It seems to work by blocking certain signals in nerve cells.

In conclusion, medicinal plants offer promising avenues for managing neuropathic pain, providing natural alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals. Sage, with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, presents a viable option for alleviating headaches and neuropathic pain. Similarly, compounds derived from Cannabis sativa, such as THC and CBD, demonstrate significant efficacy in reducing neuropathic pain intensity across various conditions, including multiple sclerosis and cancer-related pain. Lappaconitine, derived from the Aconitum species, shows potential in blocking pain signals and relieving neuropathic pain symptoms. Moreover, botanical drugs like DA-9801 and traditional herbal formulations like Goshajinkigan exhibit beneficial effects in mitigating nerve damage and neuropathic pain associated with diabetes.

These findings underscore the importance of exploring natural remedies for neuropathic pain management, particularly in cases where conventional treatments may be insufficient or accompanied by adverse effects. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action, optimize dosages, and expand the repertoire of medicinal plants for neuropathic pain relief. By harnessing the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, we can enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from neuropathic pain while promoting holistic and sustainable approaches to healthcare.

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