Herbal Tinctures for Pain
In recent years, more people are moving towards all-natural alternatives to painkillers. This comes with the need to know what exactly we’re ingesting into our bodies. Herbal medicines allow for more holistic healing -- tinctures included.
A tincture is an extract made from the bark, leaves, roots, or berries of a plant(s). This part of the plant is soaked in either alcohol or vinegar.
Their recent popularity is because they have fewer ingredients than pharmaceuticals, which makes them seem more transparent. They are also simple enough for beginners to create and/or use in their day-to-day lives.
With that, I recommend using tinctures for pain relief where possible. Specifically, tinctures made from:
California Poppy Extract
Milky Oats (Avena sativa)
For chronic pains, however, I’d suggest booking a call with me here. You can discuss your condition with me in a free 15-min consultation.
I’ll be highlighting why herbal tinctures are great for beginners and what California Poppy and Avena Sativa can do to relieve your pain. Here’s a breakdown:
Why Should You Use Tinctures?
Using California Poppy Tincture For Pain
Using Milky Oats Tincture For Pain
Are Tinctures Better Than Pills?
A tincture made from California Poppy can act as a sedative for serious pains, as well as improve overall mental health.
Similarly, tinctures made from Milky Oats also relieve pain. You may experience better improvement for nerve pain when consumed.
Both of these herbal tinctures have been proven in countless studies to relieve common aches and pains, as well as provide other benefits. I hope you’ll consider trying one (or both) after reading this blog post!
Photo of Milky Oats Tincture - Courtesy of Khela Herbs
Why Should You Use Tinctures?
If you’re looking to add more herbal remedies to your life, then tinctures are a great way to start/continue that path.
Tinctures are made by cutting the bark, leaves, roots, or berries from a plant. This part(s) are then placed into a container of alcohol. The alcohol pulls the active ingredients from the extracted plant, thus making it a very potent medicine.
Renowned author Sarah Polansky claimed that the liver often prevents “ingestible medicines” from entering the bloodstream -- where they would be most beneficial.
Instead, using tinctures is a better way to absorb the medicine into your bloodstream. When taken by mouth, the tincture would go into the mouth’s mucus glands for better absorption.
However, be wary of the taste. Because the herbal extracts are soaked for a long period, tinctures usually have a strong, bitter taste. To get rid of this, you can dilute the extract with water or add honey to the medicine.
Tinctures are also an easy way to add medicinal herbs to your sick day routine.
With either California Poppy or Milky Oats, you can join the roughly 80% of the Earth’s population who use tinctures as alternatives to some (or all) of their health needs -- including pain relief!
Photo of California Poppy - Courtesy of Sementes Vivas
Using California Poppy Tincture For Pain
While it’s more commonly recognized for its calming effects on mental health, California Poppy is also a crowd favorite when it comes to relieving pain.
Also known as Eschscholzia californica, California Poppy as a herbal tincture is nothing new to the alternative medicine space. Its roots can be traced as far back as the 19th century. This herb has continued to be used as a sedative in recent years.
The sedative effect of California Poppy allows it to treat pains that may prevent persons from sleeping. Examples include shingles and sciatica.
It was reported that California Poppy can be prescribed as a sedative in Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. The dosage started roughly 2 hours before the patient attempted to sleep, with repeated doses of the tincture taken every 15-30 minutes. The results showed that the patient’s sleep improved -- despite experiencing pains and aches.
Where pain medications like morphine and opium were addictive to users, renowned physician HW Felter believed California Poppy was a safe alternative. It could offer effective, non-narcotic pain relief.
Unlike other herbs with these potent benefits, California Poppy is also one of the few that can be administered to children.
You can start your all-natural pain relief journey with this tincture here.
Photo of Milky Oats - Courtesy of Nitty Gritty Life
Using Milky Oats Tincture For Pain
Milky Oats, or Avena sativa, is a plant better known for its effect on mood swings and nervous system care. But a tincture made from this herb can help to relieve pain.
The seed pods from the plant are harvested at the immature or "milky" stage, where the seeds secrete a milk-like juice when squeezed. These seeds are edible and highly potent.
One of the pain-relieving minerals in Milky Oats is Vitamin B12 -- that is, the vitamin that targets the nerves and joints! Vitamin B12 protects the nerves. This vitamin may reportedly reduce pain caused by past injuries.
Another crucial mineral in Milky Oats is Vitamin E. A 2018 study confirmed that, when taken daily, Vitamin E relieved period pains more than a placebo did. While more research is needed in this area, it definitely highlights what Milky Oats can do for pain.
So, how do you use Milky Oats Tincture?
Simply drop ½ - 1 tsp of this tincture under your tongue to relieve bodily aches and pains. You can shop your very own Milky Oats Tincture at this link.
A tincture made from Milky Oats or Avena Sativa is also proven to act as a nervine tonic. I recommend using 30-60 drops (or 1-2 ml) to relieve stress and anxiety, too.
My exclusive infusion combines Avena Sativa and organic grape alcohol. This allows it to have the same potency as other alcohol-based tinctures, just with a more neutral taste.
Photo of California Poppy Extract - Courtesy of Khela Herbs
Are Herbal Tinctures Better Than Pills?
This depends on your personal preference. Some of the reasons why tinctures could be better than pills are:
Herbal tinctures are easier to make than pills.
Herbal tinctures can be absorbed much better than pills.
Herbal tinctures are made from all-natural ingredients, while pills are not.
Firstly, homemade tinctures are very common in the herbal medicine space. The ingredients required are few, and the preparation is quick. More people are developing their own medicines instead of buying over-the-counter pills.
Secondly, tinctures are easier to absorb. A reason for this could be the medicinal properties of the herb found in plant cellulose, which the body doesn’t need to break down. One source claims that our bodies absorb an estimated 98% of tinctures when consumed, but only absorb roughly 50% of nutrients from capsules and tablets.
Lastly, tinctures are usually made from all-natural ingredients. Specifically, herbal extracts! Tinctures are very commonly developed from a blend of one or more herbs, then soaked to infuse the constituents.
One of the cons with tinctures, however, is their alcohol content -- traditionally, tinctures are made from herbs that are soaked in alcohol.
However, this can be tweaked! Using a substitute like vinegar or glycerine instead of alcohol will have similar medicinal benefits.
Final Thoughts
All in all, herbal tinctures are the way to go for busy women seeking holistic and organic pain medicines.
So, what tinctures are good for pain?
Tinctures made with extracts from Milky Oats or California Poppy, of course! Both of these herbal tinctures are all-natural alternatives to painkillers.
While the alcohol (and taste) may be a deterrent for you, I recommend adding honey to your chosen tincture and consuming it when needed. Otherwise, you can create your own by using vinegar or glycerin instead.
Instead of reaching for your nearest painkiller, consider using Avena Sativa for pain and stress or taking California Poppy to soothe aches at night.
SOURCES:
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-a-tincture
https://ruminanaturals.com/blogs/news/effectiveness-of-herbal-lactation-tinctures-vs-capsules
https://www.ayurtimes.com/milky-oats/
https://wholisticmatters.com/herb-detail/oats-milky-oat-seed/#:~:text=Nutrients%20(high%20source%20of%20Vitamin,Flavonoids
https://www.healthline.com/health/all-about-vitamin-e#4.-May-help-manage-dysmenorrhea