Lower back pain is a chronic problem in most industrial societies. This problem can be dealt with in part by using natural remedies that can be herb-based. NaturalPath has assembled five of them to try when you suffer from this all too common problem. Remember to consult your doctor before taking any type of supplement.

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Hot red pepper ointment can help with back pain: A rubbing cream made of Capsicum frutescens reduces pain when rubbed topically over the affected area. It can relieve other types of pain such as arthritis, shingles, and nerve pain associated with diabetes. There also is evidence it may help with fibromyalgia pain.
Devil’s claw can ease back pain: Daily doses of Harpagophytum procumbens, or devil's claw, may offer short-term pain relief for back pain. This herb, a native to South Africa, has been traditionally used to treat problems such as malaria, fever and, since its introduction to Europe in the early 1900s, it has been used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Willow bark offers some pain-relieving qualities: Salix alba, or white willow bark, when used at 120 mg or 240 mg salicin, offered short-term pain improvements in in clinical trials. Willow bark has been used in China and Europe for generations and is used today for the treatment of pain, headache, and inflammatory conditions. The bark of this tree contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin.
Comfrey root extract used as an ointment offers pain relief: With comfrey root extract, Symphytum officinale L., there has been some evidence that low back pain relief is possible within an hour after application. Clinical trials have shown that those with chronic lower back pain showed improvement after five days of ointment application to affected areas. Dr. Jillian Finker, ND, CNS said “Please note that comfrey is only to be used topically, oral ingestion may cause liver issues.”
Lavender does more than relax your mind: Aromatic lavender essential oil, when applied by acupressure, may reduce pain intensity and improve lateral spine flexion and walking time in patients with chronic LBP problems. Lavender essential oils have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and sedative properties that help to relieve muscle tension and spasms, joint pain and headache, anxiety and restlessness. Dr. Jillian Finker, ND, CNS said “Lavender can be prescribed internally for its anxiolytic effect. It has helped so many of my patients with anxiety which can be related to back pain.”

Dr. Jillian Finker, ND, CNS at Finker Wellness, Inc. in New York said there is the option to wear low-dose capsaicin patches on the back that have been shown to reduce pain in several studies. In general capsaicin is poorly absorbed transdermally in humans so there are no reported systemic side effects. “However, I have observed in some patients issues with swelling, irritation, and even pain at the site of use with a patch or cream,” so she “always have patients test a small area of their skin first to make sure that they do not react.”

Finker said she supports the use of Devil’s claw and that “Willow bark is a gentle botanical that I use along with other natural anti-inflammatories to alleviate pain in my patients. It’s a great alternative to aspirin without the side effects.”

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