Neuralgia and Neuritis
Synopsis
Neuralgia refers to sharp, shooting, or burning pain along the path of a nerve, while neuritis involves inflammation of a nerve, often accompanied by pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. These conditions can affect any part of the nervous system but most commonly involve cranial, spinal, or peripheral nerves. Though the terms are related, neuritis emphasizes inflammation, whereas neuralgia centers on pain—which may occur even without inflammation.
Common types include:
-
Trigeminal neuralgia: Affects facial nerves, causing intense facial pain
-
Sciatica (sciatic neuritis): Pain radiating down the leg from lower back nerve inflammation
-
Postherpetic neuralgia: Follows shingles (herpes zoster) outbreak
-
Brachial neuritis: Affects shoulder and arm nerves
-
Intercostal neuralgia: Involves nerves between the ribs
Symptoms may include:
-
Sharp, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain
-
Burning or tingling sensations (paresthesia)
-
Numbness or hypersensitivity
-
Muscle weakness (in neuritis)
-
Pain triggered by touch, movement, or temperature changes
Possible causes:
-
Nerve compression (e.g., herniated disc, tumor)
-
Viral infections (e.g., shingles, Epstein-Barr)
-
Autoimmune conditions
-
Diabetes (diabetic neuritis)
-
Toxic exposure (e.g., alcohol, heavy metals)
-
Nutrient deficiencies (especially B vitamins)
When to see a doctor:
Persistent or severe nerve pain, weakness, or loss of function warrants evaluation. Diagnosis may include neurological exam, nerve conduction studies, MRI, or blood tests. Treatment depends on cause and may involve anti-inflammatory medications, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or nerve blocks.
Natural Remedies
Apply Warm or Cold Compresses: May reduce pain or nerve irritation.
Engage in Gentle Stretching or Physical Therapy: Supports nerve mobility and blood flow.
Reduce Inflammatory Foods: Avoid refined sugars, processed meats, and alcohol.
Use Relaxation Techniques: Stress worsens nerve pain; try meditation or deep breathing.
Ensure Adequate Rest and Sleep: Supports nerve repair and reduces flare-ups.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat this condition.
acetyl l-carnitine
alpha lipoic acid
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
ginger
lion's mane
magnesium
omega-3 fatty acids
reishi mushroom
spirulina
zinc
turmeric
vitamin D
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Aconite
Actaea spicata
American Chestnut
Anemone
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
Agmatine Silicate
Alpha ketoglutarate
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Amber
Apigenin
arnica
Arsenic
Arsenic
Asafoetida
astaxanthin
Bacosides
Baicalin
Balsam
Belladonna
Black Hellebore
Blue Wiss
Blueberry (unspecified)
Boswellia serrata
branched chain amino acids
1, 3, N-Dipropyl-7-Propargylxanthine
3-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Acetyl L-Carnitine Arginate
Agmatine
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercetin
anise
anthocyanosides
Arctiin
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arisaema cum bile
Atractylone
Australian Sandalwood
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
bacoside
Bacosides (mixed)
beta caryophyllene
beta-tocopherol
Betony
Blue Flag
C-Phycocyanin
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiolic acid
Cannabigerolic acid
cardamom
Ceramides
Chinese Tinospora
choline
Cnidium
Cocarboxylase
Coenzyme Q10
Copper
Copper Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Cordycepic acids
Coriolus mushroom
Corydalis
Corydalis ambigua
Cysteine compounds (unspecified)
Deer
Diclofenac
DMSO
Dogwood (unspecified)
Earthworm
endo-peptidase
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
Fang-Feng
Ferulic Acid
Fish Oil
Folate
folate
Folic Acid
Frankincense
Fulvic Acid
Gastrodia
Gelsemium
Ginkgo Flavonglycosides
Glutamic Acid
Glycine
Glycine
Glycophospholipid
GMS-ribose
Gotu Kola
gotu kola
Haliotis
Hellebore (unspecified)
Henbane
Hericium mushroom
Histidine
Horn
Hydrogen
Hyperoside
Indian Frankincense
Indian Pipe
Insulin-Like Growth Factor
Isovitexin
Jamaican Dogwood
Korean Angelica
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnosine
L-Taurine
l-taurine
Ligustilide
lingzhi
Lipoic Acid
Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Magnesium borate
Magnesium Malate
Maitake Mushroom
MCT / Medium Chain Triglycerides
N-acetylneuraminic acid
Nerve growth factor
Nerve Root
Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
nicotinamide riboside
Oligopeptide (unspecified)
Orchid (unspecified)
Orchid tree (unspecified)
Osthole
Paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peony
phospholipids
Phospholipids (unspecified)
Phytocannabinoid (unspecified)
Picamilon
Piracetam
polygala root
Poppy (Unspecified)
Porcine (unspecified)
Pregnenolone
Procaine
Provence Rose
Pycnogenol
Pyridoxal alpha-ketoglutarate
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
quail egg
Quercetin
rutin
Salidroside
Schisandrins
Serine
Serratiopeptidase
Sesame Oil
Sulbutiamine
Sweet Goldenrod
Sweet Orange alcohol
Taurine
Teasel (unspecified)
Terpene Lactone (unspecified)
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Tetrahydropalmatine
Tinospora Cordifolia
Tree Peony
Tremella (unspecified)
tripeptide (unspecified)
Tumerone
Uncaria sinensis
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 (fursultiamine)
Vitamin B1 (mixed)
Vitamin B1 (Sulbutiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine diphosphate)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (Hydroxycobalamin)
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)
Vitamin B12 (mixed)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin selenite)
Vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B6 (pridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9 (5-Methyltetrahydrofolate)
Vitamin B9 (calcium methylfolate)
Vitamin B9 (calcium methyltetrahydrofolate)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid/folate)
Vitamin B9 (folinic acid)
Vitamin B9 (unspecified)
vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E (beta and delta tocopherols)
Vitamin E (beta tocopherol)
Vitamin E (beta tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (gamma unspecified)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (mixed)
Vitamin E (tocofersolan)
Vitamin E (tocopherol not specified)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin E (tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (tocotrienol unspecified)
Vitexin
Walnut
wintergreen
Wool