Herbs are safe, effective and so useful in helping the body heal. People who have used herbs can attest to their gentle nature and quick action when needed.

Dr. Christopher taught that pain is a result of congestion and degeneration of healthy cells and tissues by poor elimination of waste products. To help with pain that comes from years of congestion, Dr. Christopher’s 3-Day Cleanse followed by the extended herbal cleanse and mucusless diet will assist the body in cleansing unwanted congestion and filling the body with healing nutrients to rebuild the cells.

This is very helpful information for long-term chronic issues, but what about acute injuries? Can herbs help in these situations as well? Absolutely. 

David Christopher teaches that when the body has pain it is sending a signal that something is wrong and it needs help. In these situations pain decreases as the body is given the nutrients it needs to start healing and rebuilding from injury. 

David often recommends using 5 capsules of the Complete Tissue and Bone 5 times a day, or every hour for acute injuries. Large amounts of Vitalerbs are also frequently recommended to help with healing as the body needs a massive increase in nutrients to heal from an injury. As the body gets the nutrients it needs to work on the issue, the central nervous system decreases the pain signals until the issue is resolved.

We have had many personal experiences with this at my house. For example, when my daughter was 4 years old she leaned back and fell off the edge of the couch, right on her shoulder. The cry that ensued and her favoring of her left arm let me know that this was no ordinary mild bump; we were dealing with something a little bigger. I gently got her in the car and took her in for an x-ray so I would know exactly what I was dealing with. I knew the protocol for broken bones and strained or torn muscles and ligaments, but sometimes you need a picture. Sure enough, her clavicle was broken. The staff didn’t offer an arm sling or any other therapy but did tell me to get some Children’s Tylenol and that she would heal up in about 6 weeks. I picked up the Tylenol “just in case” and also found a small arm sling to relieve some of the pressure off of the clavicle. When we got home I made a pot of comfrey tea with spearmint and a little bit of lobelia. She was too young to swallow capsules, so she drank at least a quart of tea every day for the next two weeks. I added a small amount of white willow powder to each cup of tea for the first week to help with the pain. We did fomentations on the clavicle at night and gently rubbed the Complete Tissue and Bone oil in every hour during the day. After the first week she was done with the sling and by the third week she was playing with her brothers and crawling around. She was never in enough pain to use the Tylenol. I attribute this to the large amounts of nutrients she was getting in the tea and our daily green drinks. 

There are so many wonderful herbs to help reduce pain as the body is working on healing. Potter’s Encyclopedia states that valerian may be given in all cases to allay pain and promote sleep. It is strongly nervine without any narcotic effects (School of Natural Healing, page 413). Lobelia is another wonderful herb to have on hand when dealing with pain. In Dr. Christopher’s School of Natural Healing book it states, “Many individuals have learned the great value of lobelia. Students at Dr. Christopher’s school, suffering from some injury, such as hitting a finger with a hammer, have immediately soaked the injured part in tincture of lobelia. This removed the pain at once” (School of Natural Healing, page 401). Lobelia tincture can be rubbed right on an injured area and followed up with a good comfrey salve. It can also be given internally to help with pain. Jethro Kloss lists the following herbs for pain in his Back to Eden book: catnip, fit root, mint, mullein, nettle, skullcap, skink cabbage, Solomon’s seal, giant Solomon’s seal, twin leaf, wood betony, camomile, dill. Turmeric, Boswellia (frankincense), ginger and cayenne are also excellent herbs to help with pain as they assist the body in reducing inflammation. Make sure to have some of these herbs on hand to use at a moment’s notice! 

Other therapies that are helpful for acute pain are homeopathics such as arnica and Rescue Remedy, reflexology, and alternating hot and cold fomentations. Remember, increased circulation brings healthy blood flow which also helps reduce inflammation and will help heal. 

The body will let you know what it needs. If there is a lot of pain, increase the amount of herbs being used. Pain signals decrease as the body starts healing – and healing can start quickly! 

Tara Christopher Eyre is a Master Herbalist and Foot Zone therapist/practitioner. She loves helping people find and continue their path toward health.