Category: Pain, Joints & Injuries

Herbal first aid for soft tissue injuries.  Sprains or strains of the joints anywhere on the body can cause painful inflammation.  The first step would be to ice the area if there is any chance of internal bleeding or bruising.  Arnica oil will prevent bruising from forming when applied directly after the impact. 

Note: Arnica Oil should not be applied directly into an open wound. 

An additional aid for internal bleeding would be to take a dose of Cayenne, a glass of hot lemonade would be helpful. This is a cold drink consisting of 16 to 32 ounces of water,  1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp cayenne, Lemon juice and Maple syrup to taste.  

Note:  Cayenne aids to equalize blood pressure allowing the body to control any bleeding more quickly. https://daradietz.me/2016/05/30/when-how-to-use-cayenne/

After the ice pack has done its job or if not Icing is required, as in the case of overuse of a joint, or any case where there was no impact or concern for internal bleeding, apply a pack with a good Healing Salve with anti-inflammatory properties.  A good combination of herbs and essential oils could be,  Comfrey Root; Marshmallow Root, Marigold Herb, Beeswax; Essential oil of Rosemary, Lavender, Frankincense and Helichrysum

Apply as a salve pack over the abused or damaged joint for a couple of hours.  This combination of herbs will knock down the inflammation around the damaged area and allow healing to happen more quickly.  Also this will aid in keeping the discomfort from increasing.  (Remember, pain comes from blockage, clearing the blockage will knock down the pain.)

A good herbal combination to aid in restoring the damaged joint is Dr Christopher’s BFC formula.  His combination of herbs supports with the nutrition to “knit” the body back together.  BFC, Stands for Bones, Flesh, and Cartilage, this herbal combination of, White Oak Bark, Comfrey Root, Gravel Root, Mullein Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Black Walnut Hulls, Wormwood, Skullcap, Lobelia is an helpful aid for providing the body with the nutrition needed to repair damage to the Bones, Flesh, and Cartilage. 

The formula can be applied as a salve pack over the affected area.  It is also wonderful as an herbal extract taken as a cup of tea internally.  Leave pack on overnight, depending on how extensive the damage continue to use allowing the area to “breath” without a pack for 6 to 8 hours each day.

A Backache can be caused by any one of several issues.  The first to look at is a structural or spinal issue.  Has there been a recent injury, a fall or sharp twisting of the spine,  or overuse of the back, lifting a heavy object incorrectly, that has caused the back to rebel. 

An arthritic condition in the spine can seriously degrade the freedom of movement causing the back to ache and when the affected joints become inflamed to cause severe pain.

Kidney Issues: Stones or Infection should be ruled in or out when working to clear a backache.  The Kidneys are located toward the back on each side of the body.  Kidney stones travel through the Kidney causing the pain to move from the back to the front as it winds its way through the organ.

An infection or inflamed Kidney will be enlarged creating pressure and muscles spasms around the organ causing the back to ache. My experience when dealing with an inflamed Kidney condition was an inability to stand up straight.  The back was unable to support me causing severe discomfort when trying to walk.  I would have to hold onto furniture or some other object as I tried to move around the house.

For Women Menstrual cramps is another cause for a backache. 

The first issue to be addressed when working to clear a backache is why is the back affected.  Being female, so menstrual cramps were an issue, and having had a serious back injury, cracked my spine in a car accident in the mid 80’s, and also serious kidney issues since childhood, when my back would act up I had to determine why.  Over the years I found a fail proof way, for me, to determine which of the above were contributing to my current discomfort. 

If the possibility of menstrual cramps was an issue Lobelia, crampbark or the stronger combination for spasms using Lobelia seeds, Dr. Christoper called Antispasmodic.  If the cause was from cramps it would take about 15 minutes for the uterus to relax and the spasms to stop.

When menstrual cramps were not an option, I would start with my three Kidney support drinks. (1)  1 oz of Echinacea in 12 ounces of water, (2) Hot lemonade, (1 tsp Cayenne, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon juice to taste, Mable syrup to taste and 16 ounces water) (3) 1 tablespoon of Herbal Aid 1 In 16 ounces of hot water. (Herbal aid 1 is a Mix of Garlic, Dandelion root, Goldenseal root, Ginger root, Cayenne, Horseradish). 

It would normally take about 45 minutes for the teas to begin filtering through the kidneys enough to calm the spasms bringing lasting relief.  This would also let me know my kidneys had become inflamed and it was time to do the Infection program to support the healing process.

The last but not least is the structural issue of my back.  I have found a hot and cold shower will  calm or end the back spasm when caused by structural issues. After my shower I like to apply the M&L Salve followed by a BFC Pack over the lower back where the injury occurred.  I will also begin using the BFC extract 3 every three hours for a week or so until the crisis is over, then reduce back to my normal dose of once or twice a day.

When dealing with an arthritic condition of the back that has become inflamed, (hot & Painful is the way I’ve heard it described), Packing the area with an herbal support that will dissolve the Uric Acid Crystals that are creating the inflamed issue can prove very helpful.  Dr. Christopher’s A&R Salve packed over the inflamed joint has proved an effective support to stop the discomfort and cool the inflamed issue.  Once the issue is comfortable again switching back to the BFC Salve which has the nutrients to repair the damaged joint can be helpful. The A&R is also known as A Joint Support Formula, which can be taken as a liquid extract for additional herbal support.

The past three weeks have taught me all I never wanted to know about foot pain.  Dealing with a case of Plantar fasciitis I have had to learn quickly what works and what will not provide relief. 

The most effective way I have found to relieve the intense pain has been using hydrotherapy along with stretching exercises.  I quickly discovered the hot and cold changes, which increase circulation, have the ability to all but end even the worse throbbing in my foot.  The relaxing effect of the circulation on the Plantar fascia tendon allowed for a more effective stretch with much less discomfort.

My daily program began with a new pair of supportive shoes.  First thing each morning I applied a BF&C Salve Pack to the bottom of my foot and another one around my ankle.  The packs are held in place with the Press N Seal wrap and my sock.  With the pack in place and my shoes on walking was much easier.

My herbal therapy program:

1 tsp BF&C extract in cup of hot water 3 times a day.  The BF&C Formulas and Salves have the nutrients to strengthen and repair the damaged tendon.

1 oz Echinacea once a day for 4 days each week.

Did an ELF; Flushed my liver one day each week.

Yes, I used the Advil as needed for the pain.  The first week I had to use the maximum dose allowed.  By the second week one dose a day of Advil for pain control was enough.  By the third week the inflammation is nearly gone along with the pain.  I am now able to do a half mile on my treadmill to stretch my legs.  The rebuilding process is slow.  As long as the tendon is stretched and supported there is no pain. 

I have recently discovered, first hand, how valuable the nervine herbs are for relieving nerve pain. What you might call a “fire ball” of pain had developed in my knee.  None of the regular herbal remedies were bringing any level of relief.  Searching in Dr. Christopher’s writings I found a reference to the use of nervine herbs for nerve pain.  I applied the General Nervine Tonic directly from the bottle to the painful area on my knee.  It was as if I’d taken a fire hose to the pain.  Just wiped it out.  I was amazed.  The relief lasted about three hours.  When it began to wear off I applied more. It continued to work.  We quickly made a salve from the formula which continued to relieve the pain in my injured knee.

Once the pain and inflammation were under control I began to work on building up my injured knee.  It’s going to take time but I can see positive daily progress.

Once the knees have been compromised an aggressive program is needed to clear the injury and rebuild strength and health.  This is best done by using the BF&C Salve and Extract.  The pain associated with an injured knee can interfere with a good night’s sleep as well as prevent good movement and exercise during the day.  One of the best ways to smooth the fiery pain from an overused or abused knee joint is the General Nervine Salve.  This salve penetrates into the inflamed nerves, allowing them to calm down and the pain to stop.  There is no numbing effect only an end of the throbbing pain.  Personally I have found this to work quickly during the night allowing me to get a good night’s rest.

Using Hydro Therapy is also important to healing an injured knee.  Anytime you have injury or illness you have blockage.  Hydrotherapy is all about clearing blockage.  The hot water brings fresh blood to the injured area and the cold slams all that fresh blood through the blockage.  Hydrotherapy is like shooting a blood bullet into the affected area.  The hot water loads the blood bullet and the cold fires it.  The more dramatic the change between the hot and cold the deeper the blood with all its healing nutrients will penetrate.

Some useful herbal supports for the knees:

• Mullein & Lobelia Salve: excellent support to release a locked up knee and aids in removing excess lymph fluid from the area.
• General Nervine Salve: Pain Support.
• BF&C Salve & Extract: With consistent use this formula will support the body to Restore and repair the Bone Flesh and Cartilage.

Pain of any kind can destroy the quality of life. Learning the best way to stop the hurt without hurting another part of the body is where natural healing with herbs can help.  All the drugs used by hospitals for pain place a heavy weight on the liver.  Since it is the liver’s job to clear poisons, drugs, ect from the system it goes to reason the liver would be constantly degraded with the habitual use of pain medication.

So the question: How to deal with pain without the horrid effects of drugs.  The first and most important item when dealing with any issue in life is to first understand why there is pain.

What causes pain in the body? 

We have had many requests for natural pain relief methods. The subject of pain in illness is very broad as the sites of pain in the body are numerous and cannot be thoroughly dealt with in a short treatise. Our object here will be to provide the reader with a deeper insight into the causes of pain and to review some of the drugless methods of alleviating discomfort.

Viktoras Kulvinskas, in his book “Survival Into The 21st Century”, has a few concise and enlightened comments on pain: “Practically all pain, pathology and cell destruction is known to be due to high blood acidity which results from excess intake of protein, especially acid-forming animal proteins. However, even vegetable protein such as seed, when eaten to excess, can cause toxicity.”

We have always maintained that when the system is clogged with inorganic wastes, mucus and sludge, the organism can drown in its own filth. Pain is a result of congestion and degeneration of healthy cells and tissues by poor elimination of waste products.

Pain itself is an indicator of a deeper problem in the body.

Pain should not be masked so readily by inorganic “pain killers” because in this way we are ignoring the body’s signal for help. We need to determine the cause of pain.

If you are faithfully following the Creator’s program-the life building program, not the disease building dietary program-pain will usually indicate the body’s housecleaning process.

Mullein and Lobelia Salve for Pain

The salve or fomentation using 3 parts mullein and 1 part lobelia, has reduced pain and swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck, under the arms, the breasts, the groin, and in other organs such as the thyroid gland.

You can use the salve or make a strong tea of the above herbs and soak a cotton or flannel cloth in the tea. Apply this to the affected area. The mullein has a pain relieving action without being a heavy narcotic; while the lobelia acts as a thinking herb and helps the body eliminate waste accumulation either through the bowel or through the skin.

For more tips on dealing with pain naturally check out the Pain Information sheet in the Members area.