Topicals for Pain Relief
While medical cannabis shows great promise in the treatment of pain, in both internal and external applications, it is certainly not the only plant that has been traditionally used for pain relief. Herbalists in multiple traditions the world over have many plant helpers they reach for when dealing with pain, and many of the drugs used in modern medicine, for pain and other ailments, come from plants - the Opium Poppy being a notorious example, but the list also includes aspirin from Willow and Meadowsweet, valium from Valerian, and many other still being used by pharmacies today.
That is why, when being tasked with creating a cannabis topical salve for my friends at Wind Hill Growers, my first thought was, “Which herbs will complement cannabis in a topical formulation and increase the efficacy of the salve?” Pain is a tricky phantom; it can come from many sources, and thus different solutions can be called for. But in creating a salve to help with pain, I focused in on a few of the more common issues that might be helped with a topical: inflammation, musculoskeletal disorders (issues dealing with muscles, joints, tendons, etc, and often rising from injury or overuse), nerve pain, and general tension issues.
Two herbs jumped out at me for such a use: St. John’s Wort and Arnica. Both have traditionally been used topically for pain, and both have both specific and general use in this area. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is often touted as a fantastic helper for injuries of the nerves, and is reputed to be anti-inflammatory as well. Herbalist Jim McDonald writes, “Fresh St. John’s Wort infused in oil is appropriate for sore muscles, nerve pain and/or joint injuries; it makes an excellent massage oil or balm for overexerted muscles.” Henriette Kress says about St. John’s Wort, “An infused oil from the fresh flowering tops works exceedingly well for swelling from trauma and bruises. It heals nerves and can be useful for neuropathy, provided the damage is fairly recent (about 1–3 years).”
Arnica (Arnica montana) also has a long use in the area of topical pain relief - many people have experienced relief from the many homeopathic topical preparations of Arnica on the market today. Arnica is used for bruising and trauma, as well as general muscle pains, but shouldn’t be used on broken skin. Herbalist Rosalee de la Foret writes, “Arnica is hands down my choice for traumatic injuries such as bruising, sprains, strains, and even the trauma of broken bones. It is a magical plant that quickly clears blood stagnation, reduces swelling, and thereby decreases pain and increases healing time. It does this by dilating blood capillaries to increase blood flow to and from injuries.”
While the above herbs I used as infused oils, I thought the addition of a few choice essential oils was warranted as well. Essential oils are powerful distillates of the volatile oils of specific plants, and in a salve are useful both for their ability to be easily absorbed by the skin and for their aromatherapeutic effects. Often, the stress of dealing with chronic pain can be debilitating on its own, so having a therapy that soothes with its scent can be very valuable. I chose a blend of Frankincense, Clary Sage, and Vetiver essential oils, for their anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and stress relieving qualities. Our mint version of this salve also has Menthol crystals added, for added tingle and pain relief.
Application of salves can also help in their function. While you needn’t use massage when applying your salve, it certainly could help aid in relaxation and tension release. At the very least, a gentle and mindful manipulation of the painful area (keeping in mind any contraindications to movement) can give one a sense of the scope of the issue, and of any improvements that occur over time.
As with any therapy, discontinue use if irritation develops or symptoms get worse. Allergies can occur to any natural material, so be aware of any potential sensitivities. Check with your doctor for any possible interactions with drugs you may already be taking. The preceding statements should not be construed as medical advice.