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Shamsa N, Saki K. Analgesic Herbs: A Review of the Most Prominent Medicinal Analgesic Herbs, Their Benefits, Side Effects, and Mechanisms of Action. pbp 2025; 7 (In press)
URL: http://pbp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-304-en.html
URL: http://pbp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-304-en.html
1- Assiastant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Kowsar Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , Nasim.shamsa@gmail.com
2- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
2- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract: (50 Views)
Objective: Pain is among the most common symptoms encountered across a wide spectrum of diseases and has a profound impact on individuals' daily lives. The use of medicinal plants for pain relief is deeply rooted in traditional medical systems worldwide and has, in recent decades, gained renewed scientific interest as a natural and potentially safer approach to pain management. Owing to their bioactive constituents, these plants offer promising alternatives or adjuncts to conventional pharmacological treatments. The aim of this review is to examine and highlight the most significant native Iranian medicinal plants with documented analgesic properties, drawing from both classical traditional sources and recent scientific studies.
Methods: This narrative review was conducted using the keywords "medicinal plants," "pain," "analgesic," and "Iranian traditional medicine." Data were gathered from reputable scientific databases including Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Scopus, alongside classical texts in traditional Persian medicine.
Findings: A wide array of medicinal plants with analgesic effects were identified, notably Mentha piperita (peppermint), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Matricaria parthenium (feverfew), Valeriana officinalis (valerian), Salvia officinalis (sage), Ocimum basilicum (basil), Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Capsicum annuum (chili pepper), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Boswellia serrata (frankincense), Rosa damascena (rose), Eucalyptus globulus, Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon), Nigella sativa, Salix alba (white willow), Harpagophytum procumbens (devil’s claw), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort), Aloe vera, and Camellia sinensis (green tea), all of which have been traditionally and increasingly used for pain control.
Conclusion: Medicinal plants hold a distinct and respected place in Iranian traditional medicine for their pain-relieving properties. Their mechanisms often include anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of the nervous system to promote calm and reduce discomfort. Given the well-known adverse effects of synthetic drugs, herbal alternatives offer a potentially safer and effective route for complementary and integrative pain therapies. Future research should focus on the isolation of active compounds, rigorous safety profiling, and the standardization of herbal formulations to better harness the clinical potential of these traditional remedies in modern medicine.
Methods: This narrative review was conducted using the keywords "medicinal plants," "pain," "analgesic," and "Iranian traditional medicine." Data were gathered from reputable scientific databases including Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Scopus, alongside classical texts in traditional Persian medicine.
Findings: A wide array of medicinal plants with analgesic effects were identified, notably Mentha piperita (peppermint), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Matricaria parthenium (feverfew), Valeriana officinalis (valerian), Salvia officinalis (sage), Ocimum basilicum (basil), Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Capsicum annuum (chili pepper), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Boswellia serrata (frankincense), Rosa damascena (rose), Eucalyptus globulus, Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon), Nigella sativa, Salix alba (white willow), Harpagophytum procumbens (devil’s claw), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort), Aloe vera, and Camellia sinensis (green tea), all of which have been traditionally and increasingly used for pain control.
Conclusion: Medicinal plants hold a distinct and respected place in Iranian traditional medicine for their pain-relieving properties. Their mechanisms often include anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of the nervous system to promote calm and reduce discomfort. Given the well-known adverse effects of synthetic drugs, herbal alternatives offer a potentially safer and effective route for complementary and integrative pain therapies. Future research should focus on the isolation of active compounds, rigorous safety profiling, and the standardization of herbal formulations to better harness the clinical potential of these traditional remedies in modern medicine.
Type of Study: Review/Systemtic review |
Subject:
Herbal Drugs
Received: 2025/01/28 | Accepted: 2025/05/24 | Published: 2025/12/1
Received: 2025/01/28 | Accepted: 2025/05/24 | Published: 2025/12/1
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