Nerve Pain (Neuropathy)

Why it works: GABA-A receptor modulation (calming hyperexcitable nerves). Several alkaloids in California poppy (e.g., protopine, allocryptopine, californidine) modulate GABA-A receptors (the sa...

Instructions: Authoritative agencies give dosing for stress/sleep (its approved traditional indications). Those same ranges are typically used when it’s tried off-label for pain.. Form & dose (p...

Warnings: Sedation / driving: May impair ability to drive or operate machinery; use caution, especially after...

Studies: Neuropathy (preclinical): A 2008 study showed oral Californi...

Why it works: Agmatine is an endogenous metabolite of arginine that modulates several pain-relevant systems:. • NMDA receptor antagonism (esp. GluN2B subunit) → dampens central sensitization and...

Instructions: There’s no universal, regulator-approved dosing for neuropathy, but published human studies used the following oral regimens:. Lumbar disc–associated radiculopathy (sciatica), RCT....

Warnings: Common side effects: Mostly GI upset (nausea, mild-to-moderate diarrhea), especially at higher doses...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Pain Med...

Why it works: Small human evidence for topical analgesia in neuropathic pain (PHN): A double-blind, randomized, crossover study in adults with post-herpetic neuralgia (a classic neuropathic pain...

Instructions: Topical (most studied/most reasonable for neuropathic pain):. • Dilution range: General aromatherapy safety suggests 1–3% for routine body application; for short-term, localized an...

Warnings: Dilute properly; avoid undiluted (“neat”) use. General guidance: 1–3% for routine topical use; do no...

Studies: Human randomized, double-blind crossover (PHN): Temporary Re...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & immunomodulatory effects: Animal models of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (vincristine) show that Cissus extracts reduced mechanical allodynia and thermal hype...

Instructions: Because there’s no standardized medical dosing for neuropathy, the safest approach is to follow a reputable product’s label and discuss with your clinician—especially if you take m...

Warnings: Blood sugar: Cissus may lower glucose; risk of hypoglycemia with antidiabetic medications. Monitor c...

Studies: For neuropathic pain (direct evidence):Rodent studies (vincr...

Why it works: Classical indication: Recorded in the Jin Gui Yao Lue (“Synopsis of the Golden Chamber”), HGWD is used when limbs feel numb/tingly and painful from “blood stasis” with channel cold...

Instructions: 1) For chemo-induced neuropathy (CIPN): topical soaks (RCT protocol). • Who: Women with nab-paclitaxel–induced neuropathy in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.. • What: Patien...

Warnings: Work with your oncology/primary team. If you’re on chemotherapy or complex regimens, coordinate any...

Studies: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)Prospective...

Why it works: Alkaloids with analgesic actions. Corydalis contains isoquinoline alkaloids—especially dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB) and levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP)—that show antinociceptive acti...

Instructions: There is no universally accepted, evidence-based neuropathy dosing in humans. Use should be individualized with a qualified clinician (e.g., a licensed TCM practitioner or integrat...

Warnings: Sedation & CNS depression. l-THP is sedating; combining Corydalis products with alcohol, opioids, be...

Studies: Preclinical & mechanistic:Current Biology (Cell Press) 2...

Why it works: Preclinical (animal) data show analgesic + neuroprotective actions. Hydro-alcoholic rhizome extracts reduced heat/mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia in rat models of neuropathic...

Instructions: What researchers used (animals): Most neuropathy studies used hydro-alcoholic rhizome extract verified to be β-asarone–free, at 100–200 mg/kg orally in rats for ~14 days. (Do not c...

Warnings: Regulatory bans/restrictions:. • U.S.: Calamus and its derivatives are prohibited as food additives...

Studies: Animal models (positive):Chronic constriction injury (rat):...

Why it works: Neuroinflammation + glial modulation. Recent mechanistic work (network-pharmacology + validation) finds DHJSD targets pathways central to neuropathic pain—suppressing microglial M1...

Instructions: Important: Dosing and modifications are individualized in TCM. Work with a qualified practitioner—especially if you’re on medications or have comorbidities.. Classical composition...

Warnings: Quality control (critical):. • Ensure products are free of aristolochic acid (AA). Although DHJSD us...

Studies: Direct neuropathic pain evidenceMechanism-focused study (202...

Why it works: #B1 (thiamine/benfotiamine): Thiamine is crucial for glucose metabolism in neurons. A lipid-soluble form, benfotiamine, may reduce advanced glycation end-products and oxidative str...

Instructions: Start with testing—don’t self-treat blindly.. • If you have neuropathic symptoms, test B12 first (serum B12 or holotranscobalamin; consider MMA/homocysteine when equivocal) and loo...

Warnings: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) toxicity can cause neuropathy.. • Chronic high intakes have produced sensory...

Studies: B12 (methylcobalamin) in diabetic neuropathy with low/low-no...

Why it works: Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions that can interrupt pathways tied to neuropathic pain, including NF-κB activation and neuroinflammation. Reviews also describe...

Instructions: Formulation matters. • Plain curcumin is poorly absorbed. Trials in DPN have used “nano-curcumin” (enhanced-absorption) capsules. A 2025 RCT used 40 mg nano-curcumin twice daily fo...

Warnings: Anticoagulants/antiplatelets and bleeding risk. • Curcumin may inhibit platelet aggregation and inte...

Studies: 2025 RCT (Nutrition Journal): 16-week, double-blind, placebo...

Why it works: Neuro-immune modulation: PEA is an endogenous lipid that primarily activates PPAR-α, dampening pro-inflammatory cytokines, stabilising mast cells, and reducing microglial activatio...

Instructions: Dose range used in trials:. • 600 mg once daily for 8–12 weeks (diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain RCT). SpringerLink. • 600 mg twice daily (ultramicronized) for 12 weeks in spin...

Warnings: Overall tolerability: Across RCTs and reviews, adverse events are usually mild and comparable to pla...

Studies: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)Diabetic peripheral neuro...

Why it works: Targets TRPV1 pain receptors. Capsaicin activates the TRPV1 channel on cutaneous nociceptors. A sufficiently strong/topical exposure causes prolonged desensitization/“defunctionali...

Instructions: A) At-home low-strength creams (0.025%–0.075%). • Who: Localized neuropathic pain (e.g., post-herpetic neuralgia after skin heals); availability and labeling vary by country. NICE....

Warnings: For all topical capsaicin. • Common reactions: Burning, stinging, erythema, itching at the site; usu...

Studies: High-concentration (8%) patchCochrane Review (2017 update):...

Why it works: Multitarget actions relevant to neuropathic pain. CBD has low direct affinity for CB1/CB2 but modulates them allosterically and, more importantly for neuropathic pain, it:. • Activ...

Instructions: 1) Topical CBD (the form with the most direct neuropathy data). • What was studied: A 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 29 adults with symptomatic perip...

Warnings: Liver injury risk (even at moderate doses).. • A 2025 FDA randomized, placebo-controlled trial in he...

Studies: High-quality syntheses & guidelinesAHRQ 2025 living syst...