Darvon and Darvocet FDA Banned! Herbs that Effectively Relieve Pain

The FDA in November finally made the decision to take Darvon and Darvocet off the market. Its main ingredient, propoxyphene, is in the same family as methadone. There are two forms of propoxyphene, with propoxyphene napsylate (or N-form) lasting longer because it is absorbed more slowly. It is responsible for several thousand deaths here and abroad and countless heart attacks. Propoxyphene was the offending drug involved in almost 16,000 emergency room visits in 2008. That is 16,000 cases in one year alone. Many deaths are due to its deadly affects when combined with alcohol, valium, and other drugs. It's very addicting so in severe pain, there is a tendency to take more than the prescribed dose which can end fatally. One factor that makes it so dangerous is that propoxyphene breaks down into a more toxic chemical in the body. The kicker is that evidence has shown that it is no more effective than a dose of 650 mg of Aspirin, which is not addicting.

In 2009, 10 million patients took Darvon or its generic equal. While it is good that these drugs are banned, what do patients do for pain now? Many of them cannot take codeine and other drugs currently still in the marketplace prescribed for pain. Aspirin for instance can cause severe stomach distress and bleeding. So are there any answers out there that do not cause bleeding, stomach distress, liver, and kidney problems?

There are answers in alternative medicine: Herbs are very effective in mild to moderate pain. Every person utilizes herbs differently. It would be worthwhile to experiment with even more severe pain issues. The worst that could happen would be that the herb is not strong enough to do the job. Do not take herbs and drugs together. Herbs can either intensify or reduce the effectiveness of drugs.

There are over 100 plants that contain pain relieving qualities. There have been some very good double blind studies performed in different countries. Most of these herbs taken orally need several weeks for you to see results. Here are 7 of the most beneficial pain herbs:

Devil's Claw: Herb that is backed by considerable research and contains the glycosides, harpagide and harpagoside. Devil's Claw gives pain relief and is anti-inflammatory. It has been used successfully to relieve both osteo knee pain and Rheumatoid Arthritis pain. It increases mobility as well for patients. The typical dosage is 750 mg taken three times a day by either capsule or in tincture form (1 tsp). Devil's claw should not be taken when pregnant or when taking drugs that thin the blood.

Cayenne Pepper: Capsaicin comes from hot peppers. It is used in many commercial pain patches now such as Zostex, Heet, and Capzasin-P. It works by reducing pain perception and triggering endorphins that relieve pain and is analgesic. It comes in creams and pain patches for back pain, arthritis pain, knee, and neck pain.

Arnica (Arnica spp.): Available in homeopathic creams and tablets. Arnica is both analgesic and anti-inflammatory containing helenin, its main active ingredient. Arnica is very effective for sports injuries, arthritis, knee, and carpal-tunnel pain. It reduces both swelling and bruising in the injury.

Boswella: analgesic and anti-inflammatory with extensive research to back its pain relieving ability. It is used for sports injuries, arthritis pain, and knee pain. The capsules should contain 30 to 65% boswellic acid which is the main medicinal benefit. You can buy cream with Boswella in it as well for topical application.

White Willow Bark: Used for pain over thousands of years. Modern research studies show that the apigenin, salicin, and salicylic acids are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-neuralgic benefits. It is effective in back pain, hip and knee pain, and nerve pain at a dosage of 240 mg per day. White willow bark should not be used with children and when using prescription drugs such as Warfarin.

Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica): An herb used for centuries with fresh leaves that sting from the Formic acid. The fresh or dried leaves (1 tsp) when picked with gloves, dried and steeped in boiling water produce a tea with arthritic benefits. Add peppermint or ginger to make the tea even better for joint pain. In some countries the fresh leaves are used directly on arthritic hands. The sting of the leaves seems to relieve the arthritis pain. The tea has been used for the same purpose in many countries. According to research it works by reducing the factor, Interleukin 1 and the Tumor Necrosis Factor involved in both Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Tumeric (Curcuma longa): Used historically and today in Traditional Indian and Chinese medical systems. Main medicinal ingredient is Curcumin. Herb has anti-inflammatory benefits and reduces histamine in the blood. Tumeric is used in arthritis and knee pain. It is especially effective for knee pain. In recent human studies, it has been found as effective as cortisone and effective with rheumatoid arthritis after 6 weeks at 1200 mg per day. I have been using Tumeric for my knee pain for two years. The pain from an old accident becomes very severe and it becomes hard to sleep. If I take 3 caps before bed and two in the morning consistently, the pain is reduced by 80%. If I don't take it, the pain comes back within two or three days. Tumeric is the most effective herb I have used on my knee pain. My husband also has osteo knee pain and it works for him as well. This is our personal experience with Tumeric. My daughter uses it to help with her Fibromyalgia pain and finds it helps as well.

If you have any questions, you should consult a physician who is opened minded concerning alternative therapies or a alternative medicine doctor for advice and treatment options. Again do not take herbs and drugs together, without the supervision of a physician.

References:

http://darvonlegalad.com/index.php?CID=31403&AFID=89810&SID=pjnyahoo&DID=131877

http://www.herbcompanion.com/health/the-best-herbs-for-pain-relief.aspx?page=4

http://www.herbsorganic.co.za/pages/working%20on/Nettle/Nettle%20info.htm

http://www.herballegacy.com/Vance_Medicinal.html

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric

http://www.herbcompanion.com/health/stinging-nettle-treatment-for-osteoarthritis-pain.aspx

http://www.herbcompanion.com/health/NATURAL-healing-Solving-the-Pain-Puzzle.aspx?page=3