Guest guest Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 A Nutritional Primer on Pain JoAnn Guest Aug 04, 2005 13:29 PDT Reprinted from The New Fillmore, San Francisco, Feb. 2003 Stepping into a room filled with labeled bottles from floor to ceiling is not the most welcoming sight. It wasn't intended that way. There were only twelve shelves and a handful of supplements in the beginning. All varieties of people came into the store back then, as now, and they seemed to belong to a small, unnamed secret sect of believers. Stories floated around the store like vapors of incense, raising eyebrows, with heads nodding, and looks of recognition. What did it all mean? Why didn't everyone else know this? There were mentions of conspiracies, frightening stories of physicians losing their licenses, and personal anecdotes. It was all about health and nutrition. Being there at that time was one of the joys of living, and knowing something was good for you regardless of what others said, built character. It meant you had to read, you had to listen, and you had to pay attention to your internal self. Suddenly, the insight struck - you became aware that you had control of your health, you made the difference- all you needed was information. That was over twenty years ago. Today, health topics about nutrition are found in everyday conversations. Here is such an article, my perspective, from one who sells supplements, who takes supplements, who loves and respects the world of nutrition. One of the basic reasons why a person first seeks information about supplements is to learn how to relieve pain. Pain may be in the form of a cramp, a twinge, a spasm, a sting, an ache or a paroxysm. Pain can take the form of neuralgia, rheumatism, arthritis, heartburn, a toothache or a stomachache. It can be sciatica, gout, a cramp, earache, or labor pains. Pain has so many faces and so many causes and as a merchant for over twenty years in nutrition one gains a growing perspective of the role that nutrition plays in managing pain. Pain signals to us that something is wrong. It makes us pay attention. Pain has several common centers: the lower back, frontal part of the head, the base of the head, and the abdominal area. It can also be in the joints or an injury. Pain is an individual experience that requires us to consciously explore its cause. Is it emotional or physical, is it chronic or intermittent, is it dull or acute? It causes much apprehension resulting in our searching for a solution as easily and quickly as possible. Most of us generally know one simple solution, that miracle, aspirin, or one of its non-acidic competitors. Aspirin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and inhibits interleukin 6, which is a factor in heart disease and breast and liver cancer. Aspirin came from the natural world of herbs, specifically white willow bark. Unlike aspirin, white willow bark is not a product developed with industrial chemical solvents and manipulations. White willow bark also has buffering agents due to its great complexity and performs the same feats as aspirin, but in a more deep, subtle and gentle way. The herbal world is filled with plants that are miraculous in their application for pain, such as Jamaican Dogwood, a potent anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, cat's claw, cayenne, and feverfew. Feverfew is best known for its relief of migraines, muscle tension, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also a powerful inhibitor of COX-2 and phospholipase A2 enzymes that are associated with pain and inflammation. So it is useful for pain associated with headaches, menstruation, spasms and pain of the muscular/skeletal system, and intestinal spasms. It is a powerful herb that has some precautions for pregnancy. Other potent COX-2 inhibitors are hops, chamomile, holy basil, scutellaria, and ginger. Interestingly, rheumatoid arthritis was thought to be the result of an overactive immune system. The Mayo Clinic now has studies that show patients with rheumatoid arthritis have " prematurely aged " immune systems. Good nutrition and building the immune system is one of the major keys to good health and will be covered in a future article. There are many other natural pain relievers which all have a multitude of other benefits. For example, calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, and has many other applications besides strengthening our bones. It is a natural pain reliever. At the same time calcium is necessary for a regular heartbeat, the transmission of nerve impulses, and the contraction of muscles. It should usually be balanced with other minerals, such as magnesium (another natural pain reliever), zinc, and phosphorous. Other nutrients that reduce pain are glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin. Glucosamine sulfate is an " amino sugar " used to create cushioning fluids and tissues around joints. It is used for sciatica, inflamed discs, and arthritis. It is also necessary for the formation of skin, eyes, bones, tendons, nails, ligaments and parts of the heart. Chondroitin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and a biological response modifier that activates the immune system when conditions require it. An excellent anti-inflammatory is pycnogenol from pine bark. Similar to it is grape seed extract and both are high in OPC's (proanthocyanidins), a bioflavonoid and very strong antioxidant. OPC's help to relieve arthritis, sports injuries and varicose veins. They also repair damaged collagen, increase circulation, and strengthen capillaries. Other natural pain killers are Vitamin K for chronic pain, CoQ10 (an enzyme that is a potent antioxidant and cellular energizer), and manganese that shrinks tissue thereby aiding circulation. Pain is linked closely to swelling or stagnation, which is caused by bad circulation and increased inflammation. One of the major keys to good health is reducing inflammation and increasing circulation. Enzymes are one of nature's most healing catalytic elements. Proteolytic enzymes are a major element in reducing inflammation. Proteolytic enzymes enter the stagnant area and digest waste material improving circulation and eliminating bruising and swelling. The tissue is further enhanced and protected by " antioxidant enzymes " , such as catalase, SOD (superoxide dismutase), glutathione peroxidase, and methionine reductase. These enzymes " stop further damage " by free radicals, " clean " the synovial fluids and improve " circulation " within the joints. Other proteolytic enzymes are bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya. These are often combined with quercetin, rutin and hesperidin, which are potent bioflavonoids. Vitamin C contributes greatly to pain reduction. Whole books are entirely devoted to it. It is probably the most tested and studied nutrient in the world and has an incredible history of benefits. It is essential to production of collagen and elastin, the substances that hold our bodies together. It detoxifies heavy metals, promotes wound healing, and increases white blood cell activity. It protects against cancer, heart disease, arthritis and allergies. It is an important factor in treating male infertility, diabetes, constipation, iron insufficiency, drug withdrawal, and suppressing HIV virus. Vitamin C is required for healthy gums, growth and adrenal gland function. Along this line, 'Pantothenic Acid', is another aid for pain by the production of " natural cortisone " courtesy of the adrenal glands. Other nutrients in the arsenal to reduce inflammation are essential fatty acids (EFA's). Evening primrose oil, black currant oil and borage oil are excellent sources of d-gamma linoleic acid (GLA). These support the PGE1 (prostaglandins series one) function that affects hormonal balance. GLA is used beneficially for PMS, arthritis, eczema, brain injuries, inflammation, menopausal hot flashes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and many others conditions. Two other important nutrients are MSM and turmeric. Turmeric (curcumin) is the bight yellow herb found in East Indian food. It helps to reduce cholesterol, arthritic pain, and blood clots. As a potent anti-inflammatory it also aids in cleaning the intestines of unwanted iron deposits which otherwise aid the growth of fungus, such as candida and is extremely beneficial for the skin and eyes. MSM is a natural form of sulfur found in all living organisms and assists in a variety of areas such as reducing arthritic pain, relieving snoring, and improving growth of hair and nails. MSM protects against lupus, arthritis, and cancer. It helps form the bonds that link connective tissue together and is often found in combination with glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin. It is also helpful for allergies and constipation. Pain from burns can be relieved through raw, unfiltered, unheated, untreated honey. I am always amazed at the immediate relief honey gives when applied topically and how miraculously healing it is when applied for a long period of time to the skin. Burn clinics in particular should investigate these dramatic results. Other numerous products that help relieve pain are DLPA, Noni, black cherries, and homeopathic remedies such as Traumed, arnica and calendula. There are also topical gels and ointments, such as Tiger Balm, White Flower, Ice Factors, and Arni-Flora. Pain often provides us an opportunity to identify underlying causes. Sometimes it is as simple as needing to drink more water daily, or getting a new mattress, or changing a position of a computer screen or getting different lighting or having a window open. Other times it requires a change in one's life style to create more balance, moderation and attention. Sometimes it is caused by a complex situation such as a stressful job, a bad relationship, or an old injury. When the cause is identified one can look towards solutions and use imagination and critical thought to gain a solution. It is then that pain has become a guiding light to a doorway of knowledge, freedom and health. ===================================================================== Arnica for Pain -by ANASTASIA STEPHENS, Daily Mail --- femail.co.uk - 14th June 2003 Used to treat bruising, muscular strains, wounds and swelling, arnica is one of the most popular homeopathic remedies in Britain. Derived from the European plant, Arnica montana, the little white tablets - containing arnica solution watered down hundreds of times to form a homeopathic 'ultra-dilution' - are one of the few 'alternative' medicines to have found their way on to most people's bathroom shelves. Proponents claim the treatment can reduce swelling dramatically, prevent muscular soreness and alleviate postoperative trauma. But according to a new report, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, the positive effects of arnica are all in the mind. The remedy, claims the paper, is only as likely to reduce swelling, bruising and pain as a placebo. The research, led by Professor Edzard Ernst, head of complementary medicine at Exeter University, followed three groups of 64 patients who were having surgery on their wrists because of carpal tunnel syndrome. The first group took a high dose of arnica, the second took a low dose, while a third were given a placebo. The results showed no significant differences in pain, swelling or bruising between the groups. The findings - which essentially suggest the treatment is useless - could have thousands of disappointed consumers relegating their arnica supplies into their dustbins. But would they be doing the right thing? Based on the theory that 'like cures like' homeopathy has always been controversial - it treats illness by giving patients substances that cause the very same symptoms. However, the remedies are given in minute amounts and are often so diluted that there is little or no active ingredient in them. Yet the fact remains that thousands of practitioners and patients swear by arnica's remarkable curative powers. Theresa Hale, founder of London's Hale Clinic, a pioneering centre for complementary medicine, has relied on it for years. 'I use it at home all the time for bruises and sprains,' she says. 'I gave arnica to my mother just two weeks ago when she fell over and her leg began to swell - it went back down within three hours.' And arnica seemed a godsend for 43-year-old actress Nicola Redmond when she fractured her left wrist. 'When I slipped off a step-ladder and crashed to the floor, most of the impact was taken by my left wrist which swelled to more than twice its usual size,' says Nicola, who lives in Blackheath. 'I took some arnica immediately. The swelling went down by about an inch-and-a-half all round within half an hour. Even though my wrist was still very tender and sore, I can't imagine it would have recovered to that extent without the arnica. 'I still had to go to hospital to have a splint fitted for the fracture, but the arnica seemed to help immensely.' The treatment has also provided vital support for her work. When I was performing in a production of Macbeth at the National Theatre, I used arnica to help protect my voice,' says Nicola. 'Projecting your voice night after night in a large theatre can make you go hoarse. The arnica stopped that. 'Some of the other actors tried it, too, and absolutely swore by it.' Sold as pills or as a cream, the remedy has been used for hundreds of years. It is widely used in Germany and France by medically qualified doctors, and it is also routinely administered in casualty units in hospitals. Made from a yellow daisy-like flower, the active components of arnica include sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids which are known to reduce inflammation and ease pain. It also contains thymol, an essential oil that fights infection, and carotenoid, a powerful antioxidant. It is believed to work by stimulating the activity of white blood cells and dispersing fluid that accumulates around damaged, swollen joints. Cumulatively, its effect is to " boost " immunity, accelerate healing and fight inflammation. It also helps the body " combat " bacterial infection. Roger Savage, senior homeopath at the Cambridge Complementary Health Practice, says the study was poorly designed and ran the risk of putting people off an effective treatment. THIS study is very flawed,' he says. 'The principles of homeopathy are the reverse to orthodox medicine - the lower the dose, the more powerful the effect. The study used high doses which wouldn't be very effective and could cause side effects. And, for serious post-operative pain, homeopaths would design an individual treatment.' Dr Peter Fisher, homeopathic physician to the Queen and clinical director of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital agrees. 'The researchers set up the study in the wrong way and misinterpreted their findings so we don't feel it proves anything,' says Dr Fisher, who is also a GP. 'Arnica has stood the test of time. Homeopaths have used it for more than 200 years to treat injuries, in particular swelling and bruising.' Even Professor Ernst concedes the study does not necessarily discount arnica or the effectiveness of homeopathy. Laboratory tests, he says, have found that ultra-dilute homeopathic remedies do induce a response in immune cells. He also admits that similar dilutions have significant effects on animals, which cannot 'will themselves better' to cause a placebo effect. Homeopathic remedies are available in different potencies or dilutions. The most common are 6C (diluted 600 times) used for long-standing ailments, and 30C (diluted 3,000 times) for emergency and acute symptoms. Try Nelson's Arnica, 84 tablets for or Boots Homeopathic Remedies, Arnica 6C pillules (84 pills) or Arnica 30C pillules (84 pills) Creams and ointments should be applied gently to bruised areas, then rest the damaged tissue. Find this story at: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/article.html?in_article_id=160090 & in_page\ _id=174 ==================================================================== Arnica montana: Natural Magic -- By Nancy Allison © 2004 Steven Foster " Noch mal!” says Herr Gehring, pouring more beer. “Have another!” My husband and I don’t protest. When in Germany, where we recently spent nearly a year, we do as the Germans do. Is it the beer, or a trick of the Black Forest light? Glinting among the kohlrabi and rhubarb of the Gehrings’ garden we see a magical sight: a bottle of what looks like liquid sunshine. Zauberpflanzen (magic plants) is German for certain plants known for centuries to have seemingly miraculous properties. As Frau Gehring puts another wurst on the grill, she explains that the bottle that so entrances me shines with the blossoms of one of Germany’s best known Zauberpflanzen: Arnica montana. As with many herbs that entered the realm of folk medicine, arnica was used first in pagan times to curry favor with spirits. The blossoms were thought to be especially potent on the summer solstice. Bunches were gathered and set on the corners of fields to spread the power of the corn spirit and to ensure a good harvest. While Germans don’t believe in garnishing their fields with arnica these days, its power as a folk medicine has persisted. Arnica: An Inside Look While we were in Germany, I found arnica gel, cream and tincture sold in every drugstore. I wanted to find out more about this fascinating herb, so I contacted medical doctor and professor of pharmacy Irmgard Merfort, of Freiburg University. In an e-mail interview, Dr. Merfort discussed the benefits and risks of Arnica montana and how best to use it. Nancy Allison: My friend Frau Gehring puts arnica blooms in a bottle and then fills it with schnapps. She says this must stay in the sun for three weeks and then can be used on bruises and muscle strains. Dr. Irmgard Merfort: Your friend is partly right in preparing an alcoholic extract of the blooms. However, the following preparation is recommended: 1 part arnica flowers and 10 parts 96 percent alcohol should be put together in a bottle and left for a week, during which the bottle should be shaken. Then the flowers can be removed. It is important that this alcoholic solution must be diluted with water from three to ten fold when it is used, e.g. for compresses. There are a lot of experiences with this way of preparation in contrast to that one your friend uses. If the schnapps with arnica blooms is staying in the sun, then a lot of reactions probably occur that alter the ingredients of arnica blooms. Up to now, there are no studies available on this. N.A.: Can you describe how arnica acts on blood vessels? I.M.: The main active compounds in arnica are sesquiterpene lactones. Additionally, flavonoids and the essential oil are also important. Sesquiterpene lactones influence a lot of inflammatory pathways resulting in the decrease of the inflammatory process. Our group has found that sesquiterpene lactones inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators because they inhibit the transcription factor NF-kB, which is a central mediator in the immune system. N.A.: Is it true that arnica might be used for rheumatic problems such as arthritis? Would this be in homeopathic or topical form? I.M.: Alcoholic preparations are recommended for external treatment of bruises, sprains and inflammations caused by insect bites; gingivitis and aphthous ulcers (canker sores); symptomatic treatment of rheumatic complaints; and for surface phlebitis. A clinical study exists that shows arnica is effective for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, and another study suggests that it has positive effects in phlebitis, in each instance when arnica preparations were used externally. N.A.: Are there health risks associated with arnica use? I.M.: Yes, there are. Some people can develop contact dermatitis; then they must prevent any contact with arnica and also with flowers that contain sesquiterpene lactones, e.g. Achillea species. Therefore, it is essential that arnica preparations be used as recommended and the tincture not in an undiluted form. People who have a contact allergy against arnica should not use arnica preparations. The number of users who have developed contact dermatities is low. About Arnica A. montana is a perennial flower from the Asteraceae family, native to the mountains of Europe, as its name (montana) suggests. The yellow, daisy-like flower, seen from May to August in elevations of 3,500 to 10,000 feet, was mentioned first by Matthiolus, an Italian physician, in 1626. Folk remedies using arnica as a tea or tincture for wounds, bruises, rheumatic pains, heart weakness and even asthma, prevailed for centuries before that. In Germany, Arnica is known commonly as wundkraut (wound herb), bruchkraut (fracture herb) and fallkraut (fall herb). In the mountains, where the steep paths make falling quite common, it was well-known that an application of fallkraut would help to heal any swelling or bruising to the body. Referred to in mountain dialect as “stand up and go home” (Stoh up un goh hen), arnica’s common names attest to its fast-healing properties. Arnica’s Effectiveness Arnica is now an ingredient in more than 100 herbal preparations in Germany, where plant-based medications are well-researched, highly respected and government-regulated. Germany’s Commission E, an expert committee on herbal drugs and preparations from medicinal plants, cites arnica as a treatment for various post-traumatic conditions, including bruises, sprains, contusions and rheumatic ailments. Because arnica can cause adverse effects when taken internally (it is listed as a poisonous plant in the United States, where it has been cultivated since it was imported from Europe), home-brewed teas made from fresh preparations are not recommended by the Commission. It recommends tinctures for external use at a 3:1 to 10:1 dilution, and that salves contain a maximum of 20 to 25 percent tincture or 15 percent arnica oil. In any case, arnica should be used only in dilute form — if internal use is too high, dizziness, diarrhea, heart arrhythmia and even death can occur. Likewise, topical preparations also can cause a reaction and, in some cases, may lead to skin allergy. If reactions occur, discontinue use. Homeopathic preparations, which are very small dosages in pill or drop form, are considered safe when prescribed by professional practitioners. British studies have shown that postoperative swelling, pain and bruising are reduced significantly if homeopathic arnica is taken prior to surgery. The Aspirin of Homeopathy In the Department of Plastic Surgery of Queen Victoria Hospital in West Sussex, England, 37 patients undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome participated in a double-blind study. The researchers administered homeopathic arnica tablets and herbal arnica ointment to patients, and concluded that there was a significant reduction in pain in the arnica-treated group. Anecdotal evidence for arnica’s effectiveness abounds. A friend of mine who underwent hip surgery in England took homeopathic arnica for six weeks prior to her operation on the advice of her doctor. She experienced no postoperative bruising and very little inflammation. Best of all, the pain was not nearly as acute as she had expected after such major surgery. Homeopathic use of arnica as a sports medicine has been praised by U.S. experts, as well. Steven Subotnick, D.P.M., N.D., D.C., author of Sports and Exercise Injuries: Conventional, Homeopathic and Alternative Treatments (North Atlantic, 1991), finds that among his patients with acute injuries and afflictions from overuse, homeopathic arnica decreases pain and speeds healing. Subotnick is so impressed with its results that he has referred to arnica as “the aspirin of homeopathy.” Dr. Irmgard Merfort of Freiburg University in Germany knows that arnica works — but has discovered that it does so in a very different way from aspirin. Merfort’s studies confirm that it is the sesquiterpene lactones (ester derivatives of helenalin and dihydrohelenalin) that are considered to be the active compounds in arnica. These natural products work together to stop inflammation of the blood vessels. But the difference is that they work on a molecular level — by inhibiting the messages that tell the gene to encode for inflammation. “They use a unique mechanism of NF-kappaB [a central mediator in the immune system] inactivation, which is quite different from that of other anti-inflammatory agents,” Merfort says. “Based on our results, sesquiterpene lactones could serve as lead compounds for the development of novel, potent anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel diseases. These drugs also could be important in the treatment or prevention of adult respiratory distress syndrome or systemic immune response syndrome.” A Long History of Use Frau Gehring, who is 70, doesn’t concern herself with studies. Sure of its potency already, she has been making arnica tincture each summer for the past 50 years, as her mother and grandmother did before her. Although she does not pick the arnica these days because it’s a protected plant in Germany (she now buys dried flower heads at the local pharmacy), she still likes to “cure” the Zauberpflanzen in the summer garden, as she always has done. Once it’s ready, Frau Gehring uses her arnica tincture to treat everything from her granddaughter Josefa’s bruised knees to her husband’s gardener’s shoulder. It seems Herr Gehring must have applied some arnica this morning. He certainly doesn’t have any trouble lifting his beer-pouring arm. “Noch mal!” he says, pointing the bottle toward my glass. “Ja, Danke schoen!” I reply, and take a long drink. All in the interest of science, of course. Garden- and beer-lover Nancy Allison travels regularly to Europe to gather stories about plants. She thanks her husband Aleqx for making sure she gets on (and off!) the right trains, and for translating interviews and texts from German to English. To view the reference list for this article, please click here http://www.herbsforhealth.com/index.php?page=article & story=15 ====================================================================Post subject: Herbs for Pain -- www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/218 Note: It is advisable to consult a licensed practitioner trained in botanical medicine regarding the use of herbs. It is also important to inform your practitioners of any herbal medicines you are taking. The herbs listed below may have properties not mentioned here. Arnica Stimulates circulation and reduces inflammation. Used for bruises, sprains, muscle pain as an ointment or tincture (externally) or homeopathic preparation (internally). Flowers are contraindicated for pain. Black cohosh Anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant. Relieves menstrual cramps, headaches and rheumatism pain. Curcumin (Turmeric) Anti-inflammatory. Relieves menstrual cramps, reduces fevers and improves circulation. Devil’s claw Anti-inflammatory. Eases arthritic pain and swelling. Feverfew The leaves relax blood vessels, reduce inflammation and have a mild sedative effect. Treats headaches, including migraines and arthritic swelling. Should not be used by pregnant women. Meadowsweet Flower buds contain salicyclic acid from which aspirin was synthesized. Flower tea used for headaches, stomach ulcers and heartburn. Anti-inflammatory action treats rheumatism. Willow bark Stem bark contains salicyclic acid from which aspirin was synthesized. Used as a sore throat gargle, for heartburn and to relieve arthritic pain. Writer: Sydney Maupin, Staff Writer 2004 Explore ways to heal your pain naturally. Make an appointment today. Or browse more Health Conditions and Concerns. ______________ JoAnn Guest mrsjo- www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes AIM Barleygreen " Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future " http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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