Top 7 Natural Pain Relief Herbs: Ayurvedic Remedies for Effective Pain Management
Pain is a universal experience affecting individuals across all walks of life.
In Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India, pain is seen as a symptom of imbalances in the body and mind.
The Ayurvedic approach to pain management emphasizes natural remedies and holistic healing to restore balance and alleviate discomfort.
Natural pain relief herbs play a crucial role in this process, offering effective and time-tested solutions for various types of pain.
This comprehensive guide explores some of the most potent Ayurvedic herbs for pain relief, their benefits, and how to use them effectively.
In this post:
Understanding Pain in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, pain is often linked to imbalances in the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) or an accumulation of Ama (toxins).
The Doshas
Each dosha governs different aspects of the body and mind:
Vata Dosha
Governs movement and is associated with qualities such as dryness and irregularity.
Imbalances in Vata can lead to sharp, shooting pain and conditions like osteoarthritis caused by constriction blocking Prana, the life-force energy.
Pain is almost always associated with Vata dosha because pain occurs when Vata dosha is blocked and unable to move within the body, so all Vata pacifying practices and herbs will help reduce pain.
Pitta Dosha
Governs transformation and is associated with heat and acidity.
Pitta imbalances can cause burning pain and inflammatory conditions which block the flow of Prana.
Kapha Dosha
Governs stability and structure, associated with qualities like heaviness and fluidity.
Kapha imbalances can lead to dull, achy pain and conditions such as sinusitis.
Kapha dosha blocks the flow of Prana creating pain.
Ama
Ama is a toxic substance created from poor digestion.
Undigested food particles putrefy in the gut leading to subpar nutrition being transported to the tissues.
Ayurvedic herbs for pain relief are chosen based on their ability to balance the doshas, reduce Ama, and address the underlying causes of pain.
Learn more about Ama in this post:
Top Ayurvedic Herbs for Natural Pain Relief
While herbs are natural, they can also have side effects if used inappropriately. Please consult your doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner before beginning a new herb or formula.
1. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory:
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain associated with inflammation (Pole, 282).
Antioxidant:
Curcumin also acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect cells from damage (Pole, 282).
Pain Relief:
It is commonly used as natural pain relief for arthritis, muscle strains, gynecological pain, and joint pain (Pole, 282-83).
Ama Destroyer:
Turmeric boosts digestion helping to destroy Ama and pain associated with an accumulation of Ama (Pole, 282).
Cautions:
Turmeric can be heating for Pitta dosh and drying for Vata dosha, so be sure to use it in moderation and check in with the effects on your body.
Medicinal doses should be approved by a doctor or practitioner during pregnancy and when trying to conceive due to the way it stimulates blood movement.
Use caution during acute jaundice and hepatitis conditions, as well as with gallstones (Pole, 283).
How to Use:
Turmeric Milk:
Turmeric is most digestible and bioavailable when consumed as food with some oil because some of the nutrients are fat-soluble.
Here's a Turmeric Milk Recipe that will help you receive the amazing benefits of Turmeric for natural pain relief:
Turmeric Tea
Brew Turmeric tea by boiling water with fresh turmeric root or turmeric powder.
Add honey for taste and maybe a little ghee or coconut oil to receive all of the nutrients and prevent over-heating and over-drying your body.
Athreya Herbs offers Organic Turmeric Powder:
Traditional Medicinals offers Turmeric Tea in teabags on Amazon if that is more convenient for you for natural pain relief.
Turmeric Capsules:
Turmeric capsules may be helpful when traveling and you can't use Turmeric in your cooking.
Take these with ghee and warm water near or during a meal for the best absorption and natural pain relief.
Use the dosages on the product's label or consult your doctor or practitioner for individualized dosages.
Athreya Herbs provides Turmeric Capsules:
Topical Application:
Create a paste of turmeric (either mashed fresh or powdered) and water to apply to the affected area and cover with a soft cloth for natural pain relief.
Turmeric can easily stain skin as well as clothes and furniture, so use it carefully when applying topically.
2. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Benefits:
Adaptogenic:
Ashwagandha is known for its adaptogenic properties, which help the body cope with stress and reduce pain related to tension (Pole, 133).
Anti-Inflammatory:
It has anti-inflammatory effects that can help with chronic pain and inflammation (Pole, 133).
Muscle Relaxant:
Ashwagandha can help relax muscles and alleviate pain associated with muscle strain and stiffness (IJBCP).
Cautions:
Use caution when there is excess Pitta dosha or Ama (toxins) (Pole, 134).
Work with a doctor or practitioner during pregnancy because Ashwagandha can sometimes create uterine spasms (Pole, 134).
Use caution when taking thyroid, immunosuppressant, or sedative medicines (Pole, 134).
Monitor blood sugar when using Ashwagandha for those with blood sugar issues (Pole, 134).
How to Use:
Powder:
Take 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of ashwagandha powder mixed with warm milk or water, preferably before bedtime for natural pain relief.
Organic Ashwagandha Powder is available at Athreya Herbs.
Capsules:
Ashwagandha Capsules are available at Athreya Herbs, follow the dosage on the package, or consult your doctor or practitioner.
Balashwagandha Oil:
Ashwagandha is one of the main ingredients in this oil.
A daily practice of Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil) with Balashwagandha oil makes it a gentle way to absorb this herb into the body while pacifying Vata dosha.
I use Balashwagandha Oil from Athreya Herbs with my clients to help pacify Vata and reduce pain:
Ashwagandha Lehyam (Jam):
This Lehyam, or jam, is a nice way to take in Ashwagandha.
The best way to take this is to lick it off of a spoon and follow it with Warm, Spiced Milk or hot water.
Order Ashwagandha Lehyam (Jam) from Athreya Herbs:
3. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory:
Ginger contains gingerols, compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and swelling (MDPI).
Digestive Support:
It aids in digestion and can relieve nausea, which can sometimes accompany pain (Pole,183).
Pain Relief:
Ginger is effective in managing pain from arthritis, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps (Pole, 183).
Ama Destroyer:
As ginger warms the digestive system, it destroys Ama (Pole, 183).
Cautions:
Caution with aggravated Pitta dosha, heartburn, ulcers, sweating, high blood pressure, reflux, gallstones, and inflammatory skin conditions (Pole, 184).
Some caution in pregnancy, be sure to keep the dose low even though it is widely used and effective for nausea in pregnancy (Pole, 184).
It may reduce the effectiveness of antacids and may increase the absorption of other allopathic medicines (Pole, 184).
How to Use:
Ginger Tea:
Brew fresh ginger slices in boiling water to make ginger tea for natural pain reliefto.
Drink 1-2 cups daily.
Traditional Medicinals has Organic Ginger Teabags on Amazon.
Ginger Compress:
Make a compress by boiling ginger in water, soaking a cloth in the solution, and applying it to the affected area.
Or mix dry ginger powder with water to make a paste and apply it to the affected area.
These ginger poultices offer natural pain relief for menstrual pain when applied to the lower abdomen or lower back.
Organic Ginger Powder is available from Athreya Herbs:
Cooking:
One of the best ways to consume ginger for natural pain relief is to incorporate it into your cooking.
Add fresh or ground ginger to your meals for its pain-relieving benefits and Ama clearing.
4. Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)--Frankincense
Benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory:
Boswellia, also known as Frankincense, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage chronic pain and inflammation (Polem 179).
Joint Health:
It is particularly effective for pain associated with arthritis and other joint disorders (Pole, 179).
Pain Relief:
Boswellia helps in reducing pain and improving mobility in affected joints (Pole, 179).
Ama Destroyer:
Boswellia clears Ama (toxins) out of the body to help reduce pain (Pole, 179).
Cautions:
Can aggravate Pitta and Vata doshas when used in excess (Pole, 179).
Caution during pregnancy due to its downward-moving effect (Pole, 180).
Use caution when digestion is weak to prevent irritation of the gastric mucous membranes.
How to Use:
Capsules:
Boswellia is commonly available in capsule form, follow guidelines on the product for dosage or consult your doctor or practitioner for natural pain relief.
Topical Application:
Apply Boswellia (Frankincense) essential oil diluted in a carrier oil (like sesame oil) externally to sore or inflamed areas for natural pain relief.
Try this lovely Frankincense Essential Oil by Athreya Herbs for external use:
5. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
Benefits:
Nervine Tonic:
Brahmi is a nervine tonic that helps to calm the nervous system (Pole, 149) and reduce pain associated with stress and anxiety.
Anti-Inflammatory:
It has mild anti-inflammatory properties (Pole, 149) that can help with pain management.
Cognitive Support:
Brahmi supports cognitive function and mental clarity (Pole, 149), which can be beneficial for managing chronic pain.
Cautions:
No known contraindications or drug interactions are known, but caution should be used when combined with medications for epilepsy and depression (Pole, 150).
Brahmi can suppress the appetite, so it should be used with other herbs that stimulate digestion, like cardamom or ginger (Pole, 149).
How to Use:
Powder:
Mix 1 teaspoon of brahmi powder with honey, warm milk, or warm water and consume it daily.
Organic Brahmi Powder can be purchased at Athreya Herbs.
Capsules:
Brahmi Capsules are available from Kottakkal Ayurveda, follow the dosage on the packaging or consult with your doctor or practitioner for dosage.
Brahmi Oil:
Special Brahmi oil formulations can help reduce pain in joints and headaches (Pole, 149).
Athreya Herbs offers a lovely Brahmi Oil that I just used today for my daily Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil):
Brahmi Ghee:
Ayurvedic herbal ghee takes the benefits of the herbs directly to the tissues.
This Brahmi ghee can be melted and taken directly from the spoon or stirred into hot milk or hot water.
Brahmi Ghee is available from Kottakkal Ayurveda:
6. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum)
Benefits:
Vata Pacifying:
Fenugreek has a special affinity for drawing Vata downward and relieving sciatica, lower back pain, and swollen, painful joints (Pole, 177).
Colic Pain:
It reduces Vata in the GI tract and helps reduce pain associated with colic (EasyAyurveda).
Cautions:
Caution should be used if there is excess Pitta dosha (Pole, 178) or excess bleeding.
Because Fenugreek helps lower blood sugar, those with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar when also taking Western medications (Pole, 178).
How to Use:
Use in Cooking:
Fenugreek seeds can be added to food as it is being cooked to supply natural pain relief.
Organic Fenugreek Whole Seeds are available at Athreya Herbs:
Fenugreek leaves can be found at Indian grocery stores and used used in many recipes that call for greens, but they can be a bit strong so pay attention to quantity.
Poultice:
Powdered Fenugreek can be boiled in water, then a cloth can be dipped in this boiled water and applied to the painful area for natural pain relief (Pole, 178).
Organic Fenugreek Powder is also sold at Athreya Herbs:
7. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Benefits:
Soothing:
Clove relieves pain associated with headaches, arthritis, and back pain (Pole, 162).
Digestive Support:
It helps stimulate digestion and ease gas and pain (Pole, 162).
Toothache Relief:
Clove eases the pain of toothaches.
Cautions:
Caution should be used with excess Pitta dosha and inflammatory conditions (Pole, 162).
How to Use:
Use in Cooking:
Using Clove while cooking can help ease digestive pain.
Add a small amount to soups and stews for natural pain relief.
Organic Clove Powder is sold at Athreya Herbs:
Essential Oil:
Clove essential oil in a carrier oils (like sesame) can be applied to the area around a toothache.
Even sucking on a whole clove, can help ease tooth pain.
Simply Organic has Whole Cloves on Amazon.
Clove essential oil in a carrier oil can also be applied to painful joints and the lower back for natural pain relief.
Organic Clove Essential Oil by Plant Therapy can be found on Amazon.
Integrating Ayurvedic Herbs for Natural Pain Relief into Your Routine
Consultation:
Before starting any new herbal regimen, consult with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare provider to ensure that the herbs are appropriate for your individual health needs and conditions.
Dosage:
Follow recommended dosages and usage instructions for each herb to achieve the best results and avoid any potential side effects.
Combination:
Consider combining these herbs with other Ayurvedic practices, such as diet adjustments, lifestyle changes, and mindfulness techniques, to support overall balance and well-being.
Application:
Use topical applications and herbal remedies as needed, but also pay attention to your body’s responses and adjust usage accordingly.
Conclusion: Herbs for Natural Pain Relief
Ayurvedic herbs offer a wealth of natural remedies for pain relief, each with unique benefits and applications.
By incorporating these herbs into your wellness routine, you can address pain from various causes, restore balance, and enhance overall well-being.
Embrace the power of nature’s remedies and explore the therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic herbs to find relief and promote a healthier, more balanced life.
To learn more about how Ayurveda can help you in your life, book a consultation:
Sebastian Pole's book Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice, one of my favorite herbal resources, was used as reference for this post and is available on Amazon.
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