Origin: Bulgaria
Use: Used to treat a variety of conditions including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, joint pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling from broken bones.
A study in the European Journal of Sport Science found that those who used arnica after intense exercise had less pain and muscle tenderness 72 hours afterwards.
Another study shows Arnica to be as effective as ibuprofren for treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
More information:
https://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-arnica.html
Origin: USA
Use: Excellent for growing new cells to repair damaged soft tissue and bone. Research also shows it to be effective for muscle pain relief.
PR News Wire reports on several studies showing excellent results for comfrey in the treatment of ankle sprains, acute back pain, osteoarthritis, and skin abrasions.
In a post-marketing surveillance study of 163 patients who used a topical comfrey cream for a variety of painful musculoskeletal conditions, it was shown that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was reduced or discontinued by 13.5% of patients. The physicians assessed global efficacy as excellent in 38.7% of cases and good in 54.6%.
More information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3491633/
Origin: Namibia
Use: Widely used in Europe for treatment of arthritis pain, headache and low back pain. A number of scientific studies have found that it can help relieve the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis, particularly when it affects the knee or hip.
More Information: https://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/devils-claw
Origin: Hungary
Use: Chamomile is sometimes called an “herbal aspirin” since it’s been a popular home remedy for lowering pain for centuries. A study in human volunteers demonstrated that chamomile flavonoids and essential oils penetrate below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers. This is important for their use as topical anti-inflammatory agents.
It has been shown to be an effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome and eczema.
More Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
Origin: Peru
Use: Most research shows strong evidence that ginger is effective in treating the symptoms associated with arthritis. The compounds in ginger can function as a COX-2 inhibitor, the same way as common medications for rheumatoid arthritis.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports, “Traditional medicine has used ginger for centuries to reduce inflammation. And there is some evidence that ginger may help reduce pain from osteoarthritis (OA). In a study of 261 people with OA of the knee, those who took a ginger extract twice daily had less pain and needed fewer pain-killing medications than those who received placebo.”
There have been multiple other studies to suggest that topically applied ginger has the same effect in treating arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. A paper published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing stated, “Topical ginger treatment has the potential to relieve symptoms, improve the overall health, and increase independence of people with chronic osteoarthritis.”
More information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4230973/
Origin: USA (Colorado)
Use: Industrial hemp has high concentrations of a compound called cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to provide therapeutic benefit to virtually every part of the body.
Research is showing CBD to be effective in treating inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, spasms, and other conditions.
More information: https://www.projectcbd.org/
Origin: India
Use: A treatment from the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, holy basil (also known as tulsi) is one of the most sacred herbs in the tradition. An adaptogen, it helps maintain homeostasis in the body even while under large amounts of stress by regulating the creation of stress hormones including cortisol and adrenaline. Research has shown that the increase of stress hormones also causes an increase in pain perception.
It contains high amounts of anti-inflammatory elements and antioxidants, helpful in fighting joint pain.
More information:
http://www.gaiaherbs.com/uploads/1596_HPR_HolyBasil_ResearchPaper-1371567034.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/basil-benefits#brain-benefits
Origin: Chile
Use: For the treatment of skin conditions such as burns, cuts, wounds, insect bites; anti-inflammatory properties help relieve strains and muscle pain.
Research has shown that it can also be beneficial for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy.
More Information: https://theherbalacademy.com/st-johns-wort-not-just-depression/
Origin: USA
Use: Strong anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for treating pain and bacterial skin conditions.
In a study from Japan’s Nara Women’s University, researchers found that one of thyme oil’s constituents, carvacrol, actually inhibits the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme – part of the body’s inflammatory process that produces pain.
Scientists at Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that thyme preparations may be more effective than acne prescription creams.
More information: https://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/thyme-oil.aspx