Pain relief: Chamomile has a calming effect on smooth muscle tissue.

Take it as 1-3 cups of tea, 10-20 drops of extract in a cup of liquid or 1-3 capsules daily. Bromelain (pineapple extract) is a powerful anti-inflammatory (take 2-3 g daily at first, then 1-2 g as the pain eases). Other anti-inflammatories, effective when drunk as teas, are valerian, St. John's wort, and Jamaican dogwood. Horsetail not only heals and builds connective tissue, but also normalizes the bowels and alleviates lower-back pain, much of which can be traced to a dysfunctional intestinal tract. Take internally as per chamomile. Burdock soothes the pain and purifies the blood. Take 1-3 capsules or 10-25 drops of extract in 1 cup liquid daily. If the muscle tension is due to emotional stress, take borage, St. John's wort, lemon balm or valerian teas. Cramp Bark and Black Haw For the treatment of spasmodic pain, both cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) and black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) have been used in American Indian medicine. The Indians used cramp bark to treat both menstrual pain and muscle spasm. Cramp bark and black haw were also used hisatorically for arthritic or menstrual pain. The plants contain the antispasmodic and musclerelaxing compounds esouletin and scopoletin. The antispasmodic constituents are best extracted with alcohol. So use tinctures rather than teas. Black haw also contains aspirin- like compounds. Directions: Mix equal parts of cramp bark and black haw tinctures. Take between 1 and 4 droppers every two or three hours for up to three days. Willow Bark Willow bark (Salix alba) was used for treating pain by the ancient Greeks more than 2,400 years ago. American Indians throughout North America used it as a pain reliever even before the arrival of the European colonists. Investigation of salicin, a pain-relieving constituent in willow bark, led to the discovery of aspirin in 1899. The most important active constituent is salicin, but other anti-inflammatory constituents also appear in the willow bark. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and other mints. The compounds menthol and camphor are found in many over-the-counter backache medications. They are chemicals that can help ease the muscle tightness that contributes to many bad backs. Menthol is a natural constituent of plants in the mint family, particularly peppermint and spearmint, although the aromatic oils of all the other mints contain it as well. Camphor occurs in spike lavender, hyssop and coriander. Ginger

Ginger is used to treat various sorts of pain in the folk medicine of China and India. It is an important pain medication in contemporary Arabic medicine. Ginger contains 12 different aromatic anti-inflammatory compounds, including some with mild aspirin-like effects. Directions: Cut a fresh ginger root (about the size of your thumb) into thin slices. Place the slices in a quart of water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer on the lowest possible heat for thirty minutes in a covered pot. Let cool for thirty more minutes. Strain and drink 1/2 to 1 cup, sweetened with honey, for taste if needed. Rosemary Drinking rosemary tea for pain is a remedy used in the contemporary Hispanic folk medicine of Mexico and the Southwest. Its leaf also contains four anti-inflammatory substances---camosol, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and ursolic acid. Carnosol acts on the same anti-inflammatory pathways as both steroids and aspirin; rosmarinic acid acts through at least two separate antiinflammatory biochemical pathways; and ursolic acid, which makes up about 4 percent of the plant by weight, has been shown in animal trials to have anti-arthritic effects. Directions: Put 1/2 ounce of rosemary leaves in a 1-quart canning jar and fill the jar with boiling water. Cover tightly and let it stand for thirty minutes. Drink a cup as hot as possible before going to bed, and have another cupful in the morning before breakfast. Epsom Salt Baths Folk traditions call for Epsom salt baths to relieve pain. Epsom salt was reputed to have magical healing properties. Epsom salt is primarily magnesium sulfate and has been used medicinally in Europe for more than three hundred years. The heat of an Epsom salt bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis, and the magnesium can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the body, participating in at least 300 enzyme systems. Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as can be tolerated. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water if necessary to keep the bath water warm. Angelica Various species of angelica have been used to quiet pain by American Indians throughout North America. The European species (Angelica archangelica) and the Chinese species (Angelica sinensis) have been used in the same way in the folk medicine of Europe and China respectively. The Chinese species is sometimes sold in North America under the names dang gui or dong quai. All species contain anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and anodyne (pain- relieving) properties. The European species of angelica has been used in European folk medicine since antiquity, as has the Chinese species in Chinese medicine. Directions: Place 1 tablespoon of the cut roots of either species of angelica in a pint of water and bring to a boil for two minutes in a covered pot. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, until the tea cools to room temperature. Drink the pint in 3 doses during the day. Gail Edwards is a local Maine herbalist with a wonderful site found here: http://www.blessedmaineherbs.com/chpare.html

Heres a medical study: http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/healthyliving/natural-pain-relief-herbs-00253.html Heres a great read: http://web4health.info/en/answers/soma-pain-cam.htm A book chapter on line that might be helpful: http://books.google.com/books? id=mOpTOZBngqAC&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&dq=herbs+and+chronic+pain+relief&source=w eb&ots=KVQhXklcQB&sig=OJ71zRfckb2E_7GAZAt4GielGZ0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result &resnum=8&ct=result This is the directory for Maine Herbalists who are licensed that may be able to help you: http://www.altmd.com/directory/herbal-medicine/Maine Garlic Often underestimated because it is common, garlic is the number one anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitical herb. If something in the body needs killing, garlic is the herb for the job. Garlic is so powerful that people have killed their cancer from eating garlic alone. If you have cancer, you need to be eating a minimum of 3-5 cloves of raw garlic per day. Eight cloves per day is a minimum if you are deathly ill. Garlic is an herb that you cannot take too much of. Dr Richard Schulze, the master herbalist and successful natural healer, strongly advocates the liberal use of garlic to aid and strengthen the body. He has even gone as far as to say that if he is to use only one program or food for healing, it would be garlic. Thats how powerful garlic can be as an herbal remedy for cancer. Garlic is truly one of the most powerful herbs for cancer fighting, as well as battling other diseases. When you are seriously ill, then the more garlic you are eating, the better. If you have cancer, you are best off eating 8, 12, 16, 20, or even more cloves per day. Having reeking garlic breath is a small price to pay for beating cancer. It is critical you use high quality organic garlic, which is potent and raw. Organically grown garlic usually has stronger health properties. Quality garlic is hard, and its cloves are white. A good quality bulb of garlic will have around 12, large cloves, with each clove being around an inch long and as thick as an adults thumb. Garlic, which has many small cloves (as many as 30 to 50) as well as being yellowish in color, is usually of inferior quality. Chaparral Chaparral is another one of the top herbs for cancer that has been used for centuries. Chaparral is a shrub that is abundant in the Mojave Desert area. Chaparral is a powerful anti cancer herb, and is also a powerful liver stimulant. Chaparral will flush up any toxins that are buried in your liver. If this herb is not being used in a program of natural healing, the illusion of causing liver damage can be created, which has resulted in chaparral being labeled as dangerous by various government agencies.

Red Clover Red Clover is yet another useful tool in using an herbal treatment for cancer. It is a powerful anti cancer herb that grows like a weed in many areas of the world. Red clover can be used in tincture, tea, or poultice form. If you have cancer, the more red clover you are getting, the better. You need to use the blossoms when they are still a rich purple. Poke Root Poke root is an extremely powerful anti-cancer and anti-tumor herb that can literally burn a tumor away. Poultices containing poke root have been used by great natural healers to literally dissolve external tumors, such as in cases of breast cancer. This herb is considered dangerous by the FDA, but not by natural healers who have used it as one of the main herbs for cancer treatment and cure for many centuries. It is also a powerful detoxification herb that will flush toxins up and out of the lymphatic system. Echinacea Echinacea is the most powerful herb for stimulating the immune system, which is vital if you want to beat cancer. Real echinacea produces a powerful tingling, and even numbing sensation within the mouth. Most echinacea preparations are so weak that they will barely help you to fight a cold, much less cancer. You need to make your own preparations, or buy a quality echinacea product. Although Echinacea iss not one of the anti cancer herbs per se, its powerful immune boosting properties make it a must-have weapon in any cancer battle. Devils claw is a South African herb with medicinally active roots. This herb eases muscular tension or pain in the back, shoulders and neck. A popular treatment for osteoarthritic pain, it may ease rheumatoid arthritic pain as well. The herbs active ingredients are harpagide and harpagoside, both iridoid glycosides with analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory actions. Devils claw extract has been shown to reduce osteoarthritic hip or knee pain by 25 percent and improve mobility within a few weeks. Rheumatoid arthritic pain may also be reduced and mobility enhanced within about two months. Devils claw extract is considered safe at the typical dosage of 750 mg (containing 3 percent iridoid glycosides) taken three times daily. It is also available as tincture (use 1 teaspoon up to three times daily) and tea. It should not be taken with blood-thinning medications and may not be safe during pregnancy or for young children, nursing mothers and individuals with liver or kidney disease, or digestive system ulcers. Capsaicin puts the heat in hot peppers. It manipulates the bodys pain status by hindering pain perception, triggering the release of pain-relieving endorphins and providing analgesic action. Commercial capsaicin-containing creams such as Zostrix, Heet and Capzasin-P are used topically for arthritic and nerve pain. Creams containing .025 percent capsaicin can significantly reduce osteoarthritic pain when applied to joints four times daily. A higher concentration of .075 percent works best for peripheral nerve pain such as that from diabetic nerve damage, HIV and pain following cancer surgery. When using topical capsaicin products, be sure to avoid touching your eyes and other sensitive areas.

Capsaicin also may be taken internally to help with chronic digestive discomfort, or dyspepsia: A daily dose of 0.5 to 1 grams cayenne, divided and taken before meals, reduces pain, bloating and nausea over a few weeks. If you like to munch hot peppers, rest assured that they do not aggravate stomach ulcers as is commonly believed, and they may actually protect your stomach from prescription-drug damage. Arnica (Arnica spp.), available in cream and tablets, relieves osteoarthritic pain in the knee and pain following carpal-tunnel release surgery. It contains helenin, an analgesic, as well as antiinflammatory chemicals. Apply cream twice daily; use tablets according to package directions. Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic boswellic acids that can soothe pain from sports injuries and also may help osteoarthritic knee pain. Take 150- to 400-mg capsules or tablets (standardized to contain 30 percent to 65 percent boswellic acids) three times daily for two to three months. Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) is a popular home remedy for a toothache. Apply a drop or two of this excellent anti-inflammatory directly to your aching tooth or tooth cavity. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds are stocked with 16 analgesic and 27 antispasmodic chemicals. It makes a pleasant licorice-flavored tea and is especially good for menstrual cramps. But avoid the herb while pregnant or nursing because of its estrogenic effects. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a remedy many people swear by for headaches, including migraines. Feverfew can reduce both the frequency and severity of headaches when taken regularly. It is available in 60-mg capsules of fresh, powdered leaf (1 to 6 capsules taken daily), or 25-mg capsules of freeze-dried leaf (2 capsules daily). You can also make tea steep 2 to 8 fresh leaves in boiling water, but do not boil them, since boiling breaks down the active parthenolides. Gingerroot (Zingiber officinale) has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate digestive cramps and mild pain from fibromyalgia. You can take 1 to 4 grams powdered ginger daily, divided into two to four doses. Or make tea from 1 teaspoon chopped fresh root simmered in a cup of water for about 10 minutes. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is great for stiff muscles it has nine muscle-relaxing compounds, more than just about any other plant. This can hype you up like caffeine. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is recommended by the German Commission E for sore throat. Not surprising, considering its nine anesthetic, 10 analgesic and 20 anti-inflammatory compounds. To make tea, simmer about 2 teaspoons of dried root in a cup of water for 15 minutes; strain. Do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure, heart conditions, diabetes, kidney disease or glaucoma. Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) are herbs you should be sprinkling liberally onto your food, as they are replete with analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory compounds. (Oregano alone has 32 antiinflammatories!) Mix and match these garden herbs into a pain-relieving tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of dried herbs, steep 5 to 10 minutes and strain.

Cnidium is an interesting herb because it is known for its ability to control pain, improve blood circulation and promote the flow of life energy throughout the body. Cnidium has been used traditionally to treat headache, abdominal pain, and menstrual disorders. Cnidium contains the active ingredient ferulic acid, which may contribute to its effectiveness in treating cancer pain. Here are a few homeopathic products that are effective: Eezapein Relazovac, for cancer recovery You might want to look at this site, which is a good source of natural products for cancer patients: http://www.immuneenhance.com/products/eezapein/ An alkaline diet seems to provide a lot of relief for some. There are lots of sources on line and some books with more information about how to do that gently and safely. Heres an excellent article to help you understand something about cancer treatment with herbs: http://www.teetercreekherbs.com/month12.html I dont know any local licensed herbalist but am sure there are some in Portland, probably listed in the phone book or you could find out at the local health food store or a new age store. You might email Rosemary Gladstar at Sage Mountain for a list of local herbalists, Im sure they have one. They are very friendly and helpful. Their site is: http://www.sagemountain.com/ My personal favorite herbalist/healer is Kiva Rose and she works on a sliding scale fee, often times for free since she views this as her lifes work. Her email is: RedArtemis@gmail.com Her sites are: http://bearmedicineherbals.com/ And: http://animacenter.org/intro.html