Pain

Dolor is the Latin word … in English it is named Pain or Dolour, the which may be many ways,
as by sickness of the body, or disquietness of a man’s mind. (Boordes Book of Knowledge, 1542)

Pain has several types and causes. Some of the main causes of Pain include:

• Inflammation–inflammation and congestion irritates a local nerve giving pain. There is often redness and swelling. Abdominal pain associated with gastritis or Colitis, or Joint pain associated with Arthritis are examples
• Trauma–Trauma causes damage to local tissues causing bruising and swelling, both of which may stimulate a pain response in local nerves.
• Neuraliga–is Nerve pain and can be caused by various factors irritating the Nerves. Sciatica and Trigeminal Neuralgia are common forms of Neuralgia. 
• Psychosomatic–some pain is caused partly or wholy by mental states such as anxiety or depression.
  

Neuralgia is Nerve Pian caused by Trauma, Irritation or Inflammation of the Nerves. In some cases, Neuralgia is due to a condition of the Brain. The Pain may be sharp, stabbing or burning. The pain may also be associated with Numbness or Tingling. Neuralgia may be associated with various Diseases such as Diabetes, Arthritic disease, Inflammatory diseases or Cancer. Pain also can be associated with Stress or Depression and may be Psychosomatic.

In Traditional Medicine, Pain can broadly be divided into Heat, Cold, Wind or Blood types:
  1. Heat-type Pain–associated with inflammation, infection; pain is hot, burning, strong; relieved with cold
    Use cooling anodyne medicines like Violet, Lettice, Four Cold Seeds
  2. Cold-type Pain–associated with poor circulation and coldness; pain is dull, heavy, relieved with warmth
    Use warming medicines like Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Cayenne
  3. Wind-type Pain–associated with Nerves or Qi stagnation; pain is tearing, shooting, changing, movable
    Use Qi regulating medicines like Calamus, Valerian, Sandalwood, Citrus peel
  4. Blood-type Pain–associated with Bruising or Blood stagnation; pain is fixed, sharp, stabbing or throbbing
    Use Blood moving medicines like Safflower/Saffron, Turmeric, Frankincense, Myrrh, Rhubarb


Treatment
Modern Medicine uses Analgesics and Narcotics as primary ways of treating pain, notably Opioids. uscle relaxants (Valium), Anticonvulsants, Antidepressants and Sedatives may also be prescribed. Other therapies may include Physiotherapy, Psychotherapy including Hypnosis, and in severe intracible cases, Nerve blocks or even severing of a nerve.

Traditional Mediicne aims to treat the Cause. In addition, Narcotics may be used to relieve severe pain.
Principles Narcotics used are.

1. Poppy, Opium
2. Mandrake
3. Henbane
4. Cannabis

Medicine to move the Qi are used initially along with medicines specific to the individual cause (Heat, Blood Stasis etc.). Anti-inflammatory herbs are often very useful such as Cyperus rotundus and Frankincense. Blood moving medicines such as Myrrh, Frankincense, Saffron/Safflower are also useful, particularly in cases related to Trauma, but also in chronic cases. Medicines to calm the mind and spirit are also important, this includes Pearl Coral, and other Gem stones. Nervous stimulants to open obstructions are also used. This includes Camphor, Aconite and Nux Vomica, both potent medicines to open obstructions and regulate nerves.


Herbs shown to be effective for Neurogenic Pain:
Alstonia, Artemisia drucunculus, Butea, Colocynth, Turmeric, Saffron, Elaeagnus, Ginkgo, Mitragyna, Nigella, Sacred Basil, Phyllanthus amarus, Rosemary, Madder, Sage, Cannabis (See Research Here)

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Western Tradition Primary Medicines to Relieve Strong Pain Requies (Nicholas) Tincture Producing Sleep Syrup of Poppy Pain from Heat Syrup of Poppy Tincture of Camomile Tincture Producing Sleep Bitter Decoction Troches of Rhubarb (Mesue) Troches of Rhubarb Greater Electuary of the Juice of Roses (Mesue) Pain from Cold Powder of Cinnamon Compound (Mesue) Powder of Galangal Compound (Diagalanga) (Mesue) Electuary of Gums (Zenon) Pain from Qi Stagnation Tincture of Valerian Powder of Cumin Greater (Nicholas) Powder of Calamint Compound (Nicholas) Electuary of Costus (Mesue) Pain from Blood Stagnation Tincture of St. John’s wort Tincture of Myrrh Tincture of Saffron Elixir of Camphor Powder to Move Blood (Wirtzung) Troches of Saffron (Nicholas) Electuary for Internal Bruising Electuary of Saffron Lesser (Diacrocon Minus) (Mesue) Electuary of Saffron Lesser (Diacrocon Minus) (Mesue) Electuary of Saffron Greater (Diacrocon Majores) (M.) Antidotum Immortale Electuary of Frankincense (Diaolibanum) (Nicholas) Topically for Pain 1. Decoct Poppy heads for 15 minutes, then strain the decoction onto Camomile flowers, infuse for 15 minutes, then use the strained infusion as a fomentation or topical wash for pains, swellings and inflammation. Tincture Producing Sleep Ointment for Congealed Blood

Chinese Classification Qi Stagnation Liang Fu Wan Ban Xia Hou Po Tang Chai Hu Shu Gan San Heat Pain Huang Lian Jie Du Wan Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan Cold Pain Liang Fu Wan Li Zhong Wan Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan Fu Zi Tang Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang Blood Stagnation Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang Shi Xiao San Qi Li San Yunnan Baiyao Wind Damp Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang Severe from Wind Zhi Jing San

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Special Formulas

TRIOCHES OF MYRRH AND FRANKINCENSE     Myrrh     Frankincense                      6 drams ea.     Opium                                  4 drams     Saffron                                  6 drams     White Henbane seed     Black Henbane root-bark 4 drams ea. Powder the Saffron, Seeds and Root-bark, then add the Myrrh and Frankincense in powder, then mix with the Opium dissolved in a litte water and form Pills or Troches weighing half dram. Dose: take one at night with water. Uses: 1. Promotes Sleep 2. Eases pain anywhere in the body (except the Head) 3. Cough 4. Painful urinary obstruction 5. Hemoptysis 6. Severe Colic 7. Lungs Ulcers (Secrets iof Alexis)