Healing pain through herbs
September 2014
The common treatment of pain involves popping an aspirin or ibuprofen. They are medically called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, an enzyme which causes inflammation in a tissue after an injury or pathogen.
Unfortunately long-term use of NSAIDs can produce harmful side-effects, like gastrointestinal ulceration, bleeding, and peptic ulcers. It can also lead to kidney dysfunction or liver damage. Some conventional physicians use steroids too, which are strong anti-inflammatory agents but often diminish white blood cell (WBC) build-up at the location of injury or infection, and slow down the process of healing itself.
Basil and oregano are a few herbs that heal pain
So do we have a safe alternative to pain relief drugs?
Yes, we do.
According to a research paper published by Rajgopal Nidamboor in Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine, in June 2014, natural herbs, selected carefully, and in sufficient concentrations, can offer substantial relief from pain and inflammation without the side-effects of conventional, synthetic NSAID. Townsend Letteris a medical journal published from Port Townsend, Washington, US.
Natural herbs such as turmeric, ginger, green tea, holy basil, and oregano inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme, and powerfully balance platelet aggregation. These herbs which have been used for centuries work similarly to NSAIDs. They kill pain and inflammation; heal ulcers; and also prevent clotting and heart attacks.
These herbs also provide us with a holistic medical tool-kit, not just for inflammatory relief, but also for maintaining optimal health. As more and more people become progressively aware of the harmful side-effects of allopathic painkillers, the beneficial and holistic use of nature’s natural pharmacy is coming into foreground. They are helpful in arthritic pain, obesity, common cold, and even cancer apart from releasing pain.
Says Rajgopal, “This is the dawn of a new era, a back-to-the-future scientific advance — of natural compounds, that serve us as nature’s own original modulators of pain and therapeutic relief.” Rajgopal Nidamboor is a certified wellness physician, writer-editor, commentator, critic, and columnist.
Websites: www.health-prism.com, www.upanishad.com and www.wordoscope.com.