Formulation for Pain Management
a closer look at pain management from an herbal perspective
Last Monday, the American Herbalist Guild hosted a free public webinar presented by Dr. Duncan Lynch, ND, RH(AHG) on “Herbal Formulations in Pain Management: Topical and Internal Remedies.” I had attended this hour and a half webinar, and ended up with four pages worth of fast-paced notes. Grateful for the opportunity to gain insight from a practicing naturopathic doctor, who is also a registered herbalist, I believe webinars are an integral part of broadening your understanding of herbalism. Mentorships have always played a role in the advancement of an herbalist, and in these modern times, the incorporation of mentorship can be gained from searching for opportunities in webinars, conferences, workshops as well as the more traditional long-term mentorships that established elders offer. I thought it would be beneficial to share a summary of the information covered by Dr. Duncan Lynch, though if you have the time, the AHG has shared the recording of Monday’s live webinar, which you can watch here.
The foundation was laid wisely by Dr. Lynch on how to recognize the source of your client’s pain, whether it is visceral, muscular or nerve related. Different symptoms/presentations were discussed, with the goal of helping practitioners determine the type of pain being experienced, so that management recommendations would be root-cause driven. In the following hour of the webinar, Dr. Lynch shared his Pain Management formulation, dosages, as well as five formulas including his Severe Nerve Pain Tincture, Musculoskeletal Pain Salve, Migraine Tincture, Sleep Tincture and Uterine Cramp Tincture, all with supporting case studies.
Dr. Duncan Lynch, ND, RH (AHG) Pain Management Tincture Formulation
1. Analgesic herb
2. Analgesic herb
3. Driver
4. Emulsifier
This formulation uses four herbs. An analgesic herb helps to soothe and relieve pain. As most herbs have many actions, it was recommended to use herbs that are also anti-inflammatory, skeletal/muscle relaxants and spasmolytic (These herbs work to reduce or relieve smooth muscle spasms). A few examples I can share include Eucalyptus (analgesic/anti-inflammatory) Arnica (analgesic/anti-inflammatory) Comfrey (analgesic/anti-inflammatory) Skullcap (anti-spasmodic/analgesic) and Black Cohosh (anti-spasmodic/analgesic).
Comfrey, an analgesic herb that also has anti-inflammatory properties
Drivers in an herbal formulation is an herb that helps “drive” or diffuse the medicine throughout the body by stimulating the circulatory system, and sometimes the lymphatic system. Peripheral vasodilators are commonly used here, energetically speaking, these are “warm” herbs. Some examples include Ginger, Cayenne, Prickly Ash, Rosemary, Ginkgo and Ocotillo. Drivers also make the formula more efficient by “driving” the medicine directly to the area that is compromised. Dr. Lynch shared that Gingko is useful for driving a formula to the brain, while Ocotillo is useful for driving the formula to the pelvic region.
Ocotillo, a plant from the deserts of the Southwest, that is a useful pelvic driver in herbal formulations.
In reference to a tincture formulation, an emulsifier would be an herb that contains saponins that helps the tincture bind and have better synergy. A step further, saponins are readily absorbed by the body at a cellular level, creating a potent herbal medicine. The study of saponins is wide & varied in herbalism and I definitely recommend taking the time to learn more about this unique active constituent that some special herbs contain. Dr. Lynch stated that his favorite herb to use as an emulsifier in his Pain Management formulation, is Devil’s Club Oplopanax horridus ( Not to be confused with Devil’s Claw: Harpagophytum procumbens)
Tincture stock bottles, dropper bottles and dry herbs line a shelf at The Herbalist's Garden
Dr. Duncan Lynch, ND, RH (AHG) Dosage Recommendations
Tincture: 3-5ml for 1-2 months to address pain. Once immediate pain is under control, Dr. Lynch recommends switching to a tea, reserving tinctures for acute issues/flare-ups.
Tea: 1-3 Tbs of dry herb per cup of hot water. Teas are useful for chronic complaints and to transition clients off of tinctures as healing progresses
Topical; Liniment, Ointment, Salve: 1-2g, apply to affected area 3-4x daily
Dr. Lynch’s Migraine Tincture
10ml Ginger
05ml Horse Chestnut
05ml Gotu Kola
10ml Devil’s Club
If you took the time to watch the recording of Monday’s webinar and thoroughly enjoyed it as I did, you will be excited to know that on October 14th, 21st, 28th & November 4th, The American Herbalist Guild is hosting a webinar extensive presented by Dr. Duncan Lynch as he goes more in-depth on the information presented. Titled, “Herbal Formulations in Common Medical Conditions: Internal and External Applications” this four day extensive will showcase customized herbal formulations prescribed in an integrative naturopathic clinical practice. From 7-9pm (EST) on the above mentioned dates, Dr. Lynch will discuss individual plants utilized in formulation, formulation techniques, different herbal preparations, and clinical case studies utilizing these herbal medicines with the intention of treating specific conditions. The price is $150 for non-members and I believe it is $50 off for AHG members. You can register for the event on the AHG website.
To learn more about Dr. Lynch, visit his website: Moonflower Integrative Medicine
To learn more about herbal formulations, I offer a 37-page booklet that introduces you to the art of blending your own herbal teas to address specific health goals. Available as a download on my website, you will learn about the three main components of a next level formulation as well as how to focus the intent of your blend for greater potency. Balanced proportions and how to properly write an herbal formulary are described. An emphasis on the importance of herbal actions and energetics is offered along side a Materia Medica that covers 10 accessible, powerhouse herbs to help lay the groundwork for your own research into the healing qualities of herbs.
Your Friend,
Amanda N. Carpenter
Clinical Herbalist & Founder of The Herbalist’s Garden LLC
