Vitamins, Herbs and Supplements for Sciatica

Many strong painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications exist to ease the symptoms of Sciatica, but some individuals prefer a natural form of relief. Luckily, numerous vitamins, herbs and supplements are available and have proven effective for Sciatica.

Vitamins can help Sciatica by improving nerve function and strengthening muscles and connective tissue. Nerve function is aided by taking vitamins K, A, C, and B12, while the latter is helped by vitamins E and C as well as copper, zinc, and calcium.

Supplements exist which can ease the inflammation associated with Sciatica. Homeopathy experts recommend taking supplements rich with fatty acids, including evening primrose, flaxseed oil, and fish oil. A common regimen is 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil taken with either 500 mg of black currant oil or 3 capsules of evening primrose. People often find bromelain helpful as well.

Some herbal remedies may be ingested. These helpful herbs include chamomile for pain and horsetail for restoration of connective tissue, and one can drink both daily in tea form or by adding 10 drops of extract to liquid. Blending a tablespoon of yarrow, borage or celery with horsetail may also sooth the pain of irritated nerves if consumed. Tension worsens pain as well, but drinking St. John’s wort, valerian, borage, or lemon balm tea 3 times daily can ease the tension and stress.

People frequently use topical remedies as well. Some prefer diluting St. John’s wort with olive oil to rub into the back and legs before bed while others favor a topical chamomile tincture. Herbal nettle baths may also help. Soak stinging nettle leaves in cold water for up to 12 hours, strain, and add the clear liquid to a hot bath. Individuals may sit in the nettle bath mixture for up to 20 minutes, but they should not dry off when the bath is complete. Instead, people should wrap themselves in a cotton-terry robe and allow one hour of sweating.

For blood circulation, hot packs of black or white mustard seeds, chamomile, hayflower, horsetail, or flaxseed may help. To create a hot pack, place crushed seeds in a small cloth bag and soak in hot water for ten minutes before application. Mustard seeds may cause irritation if placed on the skin for more than 10 minutes. After a painful flare-up, you may wish to wait until a few days have passed before applying a hot pack. Heat can increase muscle inflammation.

Always consider natural supplements for sciatica before taking prescription pain killers or nsaids for sciatic pain.