Alleviating Pain and Adverse Side Effects

Continued from Yesterday:

Oral and Topical Use of Supplements and Botanicals to Help Alleviate Pain and Adverse Side EffectsLow Dog discusses how an herbalist might formulate a specific pain remedy for a patient.

For osteoarthritis, other natural therapeutics include glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as manual medicine (e.g., chiropractic, massage, strain-counterstrain), mind-body practices (e.g., hypnosis, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation), and nutritional approaches (anti-inflammatory diet).

Supplements and botanicals that protect against harmful effects of conventional pain medicines include milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Both prevent acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in animal studies. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) protects gastric mucosa from being damaged by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Milk thistle has an excellent safety profile. In prolonged use, glycyrrhetinic acid in licorice can lead to sodium retention and potassium loss. It can be removed, and deglycyrrhized licorice (DGL) is preferred for long-term use. Licorice products must be taken simultaneously with NSAIDs to have a protective effect. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) tea, while milder in effect than DGL, is also gastroprotective and has anti-inflammatory and relaxing effects.

Finally, for patients who must use opiate derivatives to control pain, dietary fiber such as psyllium (Plantago ovata) or Triphala, an Ayurvedic fruit combination used as a stool softener and laxative, may be very beneficial. Magnesium is a natural laxative with other beneficial effects; however, large doses must be used carefully by those with poor renal function.

Low Dog T. Natural pain medicines. Altern Complement Ther. August 2010;16(4):194-197

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/417/pdfs/091045.pdf

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com