Trigeminal Neuralgia

The trigeminal nerve, which travels from the

brain and branches to different parts of the
face. The pain can be caused by a blood vessel
pressing down on the nerve where it meets
with the brainstem. It can also be caused by
multiple sclerosis, injury to the nerve, or other
causes. Trigeminal Nerve, a nerve that helps
communicate to your brain sensations in the
face. Many people suffer from Trigeminal
Neuralgia, but it is mostly in woman over 50. It
can lead to intense facial pain just by simply
smiling.

SYMPTOMS — Pain which comes on suddenly, followed by intervals of freedom from pain. The pains
are severe and seem to shoot along the course of the affected nerves. The nerve trunks become tender
to pressure. In severe cases, there is twitching of the muscles of the affected part, with burning and
tingling sensations in the skin. The attacks are rarely on both sides of the body at the same time. They
generally continue from a few minutes to a few days, and may occur frequently for months. As time
passes, the attacks tend to become more severe. Stress can aggravate the condition.

CAUSES — Neuralgia is nerve pain; neuritis is nerve inflammation.

Neuralgia is an irritation of a nerve which can be caused by many factors, including trauma, nutritional
deficiencies, herpes, shingles, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or alcoholism.

Chilling an area of the skin is a frequent underlying cause, as well as nutritional deficiencies including
the B complex (especially B1, B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and B12).

Other causes include decayed teeth, wrong diet, constipation, tension, insomnia, fatigue, exposure, lack
of exercise, sinus infections, and eye strain.

A frequent cause of the problem in the various forms of neuralgia is chilling of part of the body over a
period of time, when the rest of the body is relatively warm. This is most likely to occur in the winter
months, when you are in bed sleeping. A current of cold air is passing across your face, and the rest of
your body is tucked under the covers. The result is tic douloureux or Bell's palsy on the face or neck or,
if the shoulders are uncovered, neuralgia of the shoulder.

The cause can also occur as a result of regular commute driving. A window is kept open slightly to
provide fresh air but a slight chilling breeze blows on the face for a lengthy period of time.

The formula for trouble is (1) chilling draft to part of the body while the rest is warm (2) over a lengthy
period of time, (3) day after day. Give close attention to the conditions you place your body under each
day. Avoid unnecessary drafts on part of your body while other parts are warm.
TREATMENT—

• Give a high catnip herb enema. It should be as warm as can be taken.

• Put alternate hot and cold applications over the painful area. The cold should be very short! This can
be done for several hours at a time.

• Fomentations wrung out of mullein, lobelia, or chamomile, tea are also good.

• Place the hand and arm (which are on the opposite side of the body where the head and neck pain is)
in very hot water for 20 minutes.

• Make sure the diet includes lecithin (1 teaspoon) and enough calcium (1000 mg) and magnesium
(500mg).

• Get sunshine, fresh air, and exercise.

• Helpful herbs include mullein, sage, hops, plantain, valerian root, skullcap, nettle, lobelia, black
cohosh, poplar bark, and mint.

• The Chinese rub fresh, sliced lemon on neuralgic areas to relieve pain.

• Crush juniper berries and place them to the area in pain, and you will obtain relief.

• Bilberry contains flavonoid compounds (anthocyanosides) which relieve pain when applied. Use a
bilberry extract dosage of 160mg – 480mg daily.

• Place powdered chamomile in several small bags. Steep them ½ cup boiling water; and apply them as
hot as possible to the area in pain.

• Capsaicin in Cayenne, when applied to the painful area, stimulates and then blocks small-diameter
pain fibers. Many research studies have supported this.

• Scrape horseradish and apply the scrapings directly to the affected area.

• Ginkgo biloba, when given to patients, significantly decreased pain and sensitivity in the painful area.

• Dried coltsfoot can be soaked in boiling water. When cooler, dip a cloth in the hot water and place it
on neuralgic pains.

Ashwagandha root
1. It can reduce anxiety and stress, helps fight depression, boost fertility and testosterone in men, and
even boost memory and brain function.

2. Increases energy, concentration, and has been shown to increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, and
increase strength in men. Increases the activity of natural killer cells, which are immune cells that fight
infection. Reduces blood sugar, anti-cancer, decreases inflammation.

3. It can also improve the quality of sleep and may help with the treatment of insomnia.
Chamomile – What it affects: Nerves, stomach, kidneys, spleen, and liver.
1. Used for insomnia, nervousness, inflammation, aids digestion and sleep. Acts as a diuretic and nervine
tonic, for stress, anxiety, and indigestion. Remedy for nightmares.

2. Helps relieve cramping associated with the menstrual cycle. It is good for dizziness, gas, hysteria,
jaundice, kidney problems, measles, swellings, lumbago, rheumatic problems, and rashes.

3. Externally, used as a mouthwash for minor mouth and gum infections. Tea is a good wash for sore
eyes and open sores. Use it as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammations, including
inflammations of the mucous tissues. Keeping a mouthful at a time will temporarily relieve toothache.

Warning: May cause allergic reactions in persons sensitive to Ragweed, or the many varieties of
Chrysanthemum.

Bilberry leaf – What it affects: Eyes, and blood.

1. It is found to help against fatigue, reduce eye irritation, nearsightedness, extend the range and
sharpness of vision, aid in the adaptation to darkness by accelerating regeneration of the retina and
help to restrain the development of conditions such as glaucoma cataracts.

2. People with diabetes may notice that it helps in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

3. Strengthens blood vessels. Good for urinary tract infections and varicose veins.

4. Good for treating diarrhoea; is when your bowel movements become loose or watery. Diarrhoea
occurs when the lining of the intestine is unable to absorb fluid, or it actively secretes fluid.

5. This is a beneficial herb to use during pregnancy: it can be a strong but gentle astringent and will fortify
vein and capillary support, aids in kidney function and is a mild diuretic for bloating.

Ginkgo Biloba - What it affects: Brain, blood, and circulation.

1. Primarily as a brain and mental energy stimulant.

2. Stimulates whole body circulation and oxygenation of cells, mental clarity and alertness.

3. Longevity herb, treatment for confusion and memory loss. Hearing is improved, reduces blood
clumping, treatment of dementia and Alzheimer`s.

4. Found to help Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Enhances the ability of the body to better transmit body
electrical impulses.

Lobelia – What it affects: Nerves, lungs, stomach, muscles, and circulation.

1. Used in treatment of bronchitis and asthma. It is an appetite suppressant. It is a powerful relaxant
that effects the nervous system. It is outstanding for relieving spasms associated with lung and
respiratory conditions. It has the ability to remove congestion within the body, especially the blood
vessels.
2. Also used for headache, heart palpitation, indigestion, allergies, arthritis, chicken pox, contagious
diseases, all kinds of fevers, jaundice, pleurisy, pneumonia, St. Vitus dance, teething, and toothache. It
relaxes the heart and lowers pulse. Increases urine flow and perspiration.

3. Externally, as a poultice is soothing for inflammations, rheumatism and boils.

Warning: Do not give in large doses, will cause vomiting.

Mullein leaf – What it affects: Lungs, glands, and lymph.

1. It has many uses, but the main one is in the treatment of lung disease, coughs, consumption and
hemorrhage of the respiratory organs. It quiets inflamed and irritated nerves, relieves pain and is
soothing to any inflammation. Used to treat lymphatic congestion, antispasmodic, astringent herb,
effective on a wide range of respiratory problems and swollen membrane conditions.

2. Strengthens sinuses and allows for free breathing. Excess mucous will be moved out of the body. It is
demulcent which softens and soothes inflamed surfaces and is a bacteriostatic which prevents bacteria
from growing.

3. Externally, mullein oil is one of the best remedies for ear infection and toothaches. For inflammations,
painful skin conditions, diaper rashes, and inflamed eyes.

Passion Flower – What it affects: Nerves and circulation.

1. Rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids help regulate cellular activity and fight off free radicals that cause
oxidative stress on your body. Used for nervous conditions such as restlessness, insomnia, nervous
headaches, and hysteria. Best used with other herbs. It is helpful for anxiety, neuritis, anxiety, and stress
related disorders.

2. Also used for hiccups, spasms, coughs, eye tension, eye infections, hot flashes, irregular heart beat,
heart weakness, epilepsy, convulsions, and back tension. It is used for headaches, fevers, and reduced
pulse during high fevers. It stimulates perspiration.

3. Used for nervousness in children, such as muscle twitching and irritability. In the elderly, it is good for
nerve debility and sciatica. It has a gentle sedative effect and helps reduce blood pressure.

Skullcap – What it affects: Nerves and Stomach.

1. The best nervine that brings about natural sleep. It is slow working, but sure remedy for practically all
nervous affections, but it must be taken regularly over a long period of time to be a permanent benefit.

2. It gives the feeling of well-being and inner calm allowing for a relaxed sleep.

3. Relieves spasms, increases urine flow, rebuilds nerve endings in the brain, soothes inflamed tissue,
absorbs toxins from the bowels, helps digestive problems, insanity, coughs, epilepsy, pain, stress,
anxiety, hyperactivity, restlessness, headaches and muscle twitching.

4. Will reduce pains of ovarian or uterine origin. Promotes menstruation. It strengthens the heart
muscle. Effective against rabies.