Lower back pain / 1994

Date: Tue, 15 Mar 1994 23:45:17 GMT
Sender: "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list" <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: Christopher Hedley <christopher.GN.APC.ORG>
Subject: Low Back Pain

> I would appreciate any advice about low back problem: mostly, the pain relievers ( I don't believe, there is any herb treatment for that, may be prevention, which is also good). My stomach can't take ibuprophen, neither any aspirin containing drugs.

Low Back Pain- to Olga

Cayenne (Capsicum spp) tincture; apply, cover with water proof dressing, eg. 'cling film', sit or lie down for 30 mins, remove dressing. Repeat daily. If you have tender skin, apply olive oil first. There is good research on the use of capsicum in chronic pain.

For muscle spasm, take Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) freely. For inflammation take Willow bark (Salix alba & spp.) freely. This will not 'burn' the stomach, although it may be nauseous in large amounts.

Good herbal pain killers include; Yellow Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens)- use a 1 in 10 tincture, * max dose 5 drops 3x daily * and Jamaica Dogwood (Piscidia erythrina)- tincture dose 1-5 ml 3x daily, start low and increase slowly. Nervines, such as Vervain (Verbena off & V. hastata), are useful adjuncts. [Note. Tincture doses given are for BritMedHerbalist tincture strenghts; those are far weaker than tinctures generally available in the US. Also, Gelsemium is pretty toxic; follow the instructions of your qualified practitioner on dosage, there, don't self-medicate. -Henriette]

*exercise increases endorphines and is always useful. You have to find one that dosn't strain your back, try exercising in water.