Acupuncture, meditation and herbal medicine may be called “new age” or “alternative” medicine, but these disciplines predate by thousands of years the hospitals and pharmacies we used to call “modern medicine” not long ago. 

Forty Percent of Drugs are Plant Inspired

The World Health Organization (WHO) says a solid 40% of pharmaceutical products – prescription and over-the-counter drugs – are based on plants, some of which have been used in medicine for centuries. Salicylic acid, originally found in willow bark, is the active ingredient in aspirin. Foxglove produces cardiac glycosides, primarily digoxin and digitoxin, used to treat some heart rhythm problems.

Drug companies study plants and create patentable synthetics that protect premium prices for as long as 20 years. That includes synthetic versions of plant medicines including some of the most commonly-used medications, like opioids, quinine, morphine, taxol, atropine and ephedrine.

Companies using natural plant materials are handicapped by patent law that considers natural materials to be “common knowledge”, or in the public domain.

Dietary Supplements Can Be an Important Factor

We’re on a mission to make natural products more affordable, safe and effective than many regulated prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Those medications can have steep out-of-pocket costs and damaging side effects with long-term use.

Nápreva is made with plant terpenes extracted from cloves and other natural ingredients from plants. Research shows that they can be effective for treating chronic pain – without damaging side effects. Nothing in Nápreva has known negative side effects. It’s not addictive. It won’t make you “high” and you won’t fail a drug test.

We eat fruits, vegetables and herbs with the terpenes found in Nápreva nearly every day. But the precise combination and concentration of terpenes in Nápreva are designed to provide maximum benefit with minimal risk for people with chronic pain.

Nápreva is one of many plant-based dietary supplements found to be beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain. Omega 3 fatty acids and collagen are often recommended by pain management specialists for soft tissue support among arthritis patients. Vitamin D may be recommended for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain from musculoskeletal conditions and turmeric has become popular for treating inflammation that often accompanies chronic pain conditions.

While dietary supplements alone may not be sufficient for your comprehensive pain management plan, be open minded and talk to your pain professional about supplements that may be helpful to you.

Learn More:

Traditional Medicine Contributions to Modern Medicine  https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/traditional-medicine-has-a-long-history-of-contributing-to-conventional-medicine-and-continues-to-hold-promise

US Veterans Administration Whole Health Library  https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/overviews/chronic-pain.asp