Herbal Remedies for your Back

Herbal Remedies

Before trying any herbal remedies, do your research and talk to your doctor. There may be side effects that you’re unaware of—an herbal remedy could interfere with a prescribed medicine you’re taking, for example. Some herbal remedies you may want to consider for your back pain are:

Capsaicin Cream: Capsaicin is what makes chili peppers hot, and it can also relieve your pain. It just temporarily reduces your pain, though, so you’ll need to keep re-applying, probably around 4 to 5 times a day. It may take several weeks for you to feel significant relief from capsaicin cream, so just because it doesn’t work right away, don’t give up.

Devil’s Claw: Devil’s claw comes from southern Africa, where it has been used for centuries to treat fever, arthritis, and gastrointestinal problems. It works as an anti-inflammatory. Today, it’s used for conditions that cause inflammation and pain, like osteoarthritis. You can take it in a capsule.

White Willow Bark: The white willow led to the development of aspirin in Europe. If you don’t want to take the synthetic version (aspirin can irritate the stomach), use white willow bark. It’s for conditions that cause pain or inflammation, like osteoarthritis. It also provides relief for acute back pain.