Omnia SanaHerbal Remedies by Symptom
Pain (general) - Medicinal Plants & Herbal Remedies
The Omnia Sana plant database documents 35 medicinal plants traditionally used for pain (general). Each is rated by strength of evidence and linked to its full monograph and cited scientific sources.
Also known as: aches, general pain.
Eases cyclical breast pain (mastalgia) and menstrual-cycle complaints including cramping. The proposed mechanism is dopaminergic suppression of latent hyperprolactinaemia.
Analgesic (pain relief); Osteoarthritis: reduces joint pain and stiffness and improves function (over at least 4 weeks)
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis (hip and knee) pain; Effective at standardised doses (~50-60 mg harpagoside/day); an aqueous extract was non-inferior to rofecoxib for short-term chronic low back pain; General joint pain and arthritis support; Relief of chronic non-specific low back pain
Premenstrual syndrome and cyclical breast pain - some positive but inconsistent trial results (a recent RCT found evening primrose oil reduced cyclical breast-pain severity versus placebo, with a combination of EPO and vitamin E most effective)
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory for low back pain (moderate evidence; dose-dependent, around 240 mg salicin/day) - in an RCT, 240 mg salicin/day left 39% pain-free vs 6% on placebo within 4 weeks; Relief of joint pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatic complaints
Relieves primary dysmenorrhoea (menstrual) pain - meta-analyses of RCTs find fennel reduces pain intensity versus placebo, comparable to mefenamic acid
Venotonic / vasoconstrictive support for chronic venous insufficiency (heavy, tired, swollen legs and varicose veins) - a meta-analysis of a Ruscus-based combination (with hesperidin methyl chalcone and vitamin C) significantly reduced pain, cramps, heaviness and paraesthesia versus placebo
Chronic venous insufficiency - reduces leg pain, swelling (oedema), heaviness and itching; supports varicose veins
Traditional infused-oil ('mullein oil') for earache - two RCTs of a naturopathic herbal ear drop containing Verbascum found it as effective as anaesthetic drops for ear pain in acute otitis media (combination products, not mullein alone)
Mild analgesic (traditional use for pain)
Mild analgesic / anodyne for pain (lactucin and lactucopicrin act on the central nervous system) - in mice these compounds produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen
Educational information compiled from the Omnia Sana plant database. Not medical advice - always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.