Herniated Disks

Herniated disks (sometimes misspelled and herniated discs) usually are a problem in the lumbar spine region, the area of your backbone that lies between the bottom or your ribs and your hips. A misaligned or bulging disk pressing on the nerves around the backbone is called a herniated disk. The aging process causes your disks to become flatter with less cushion. If a disk weakens too much, the outer part may tear, which causes the inside to push through the tear and press on the nerves. Depending upon which disk is affected, there may be pain in both the back and the legs.

In most cases the pain spreads over the buttocks, down the back of the thigh and into the calf. In some cases, there is pain going down the outside of both legs, and the person’s legs may feel number or tingly, or may have a feeling like an electric shock. An interruption in signals from the brain may cause muscle weakness, and in extreme cases, a herniated disk may cause bowel and bladder problems.

Home Remedies For A Herniated Disk

Support Formula:

An herbal mixture containing Comfrey, Yarrow, Horsetail, Rosehip, Mugwort, and Parsley may be beneficial. The benefits of these herbs are described as follows:

  • Horsetail builds up the myelin sheath and repairs the bones in the spine.
  • Parsley energizes and renews the nervous energy flow.
  • Mugwort supports healing of any physical injury to the nervous system.
  • Comfrey heals bones and connective tissue. It also works as a normalizing agent for other body tissue.
  • Yarrow strengthens on all levels, and is an excellent choice for trauma.
  • Rosehips repairs tissue and ensure adequate circulation.

In addition to the herbs, the formula also contains Bach Flowers Oak, Scleranthus, Mimulus, and Rescue Remedy.

Evening Primrose Oil:

This herb grows all year round and seeds without any help. Evening primrose is a borage flower, renowned to relieve sadness. The leaves are used to relieve adrenal exhaustion, fevers, and chest colds. In addition, it is a tonic that restores adrenal glands, which is quite useful during times of extreme stress.

To use evening primrose, freeze the flowers and add them to drinks or salads, make a tea or add some leaves to home made juice, or you can add leaves to stews and other greens. The plant can also be used instead of Evening Primrose Oil for symptoms of PMT. One or two plants in an indoor pot will thrive all winter, but it will need plenty of sun. The plant will improve the flavor of any tomatoes growing nearby, and is an excellent companion for plants such as tomatoes, squash, and strawberries.