Analgesic (Vedanasthapana) Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
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AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

Pain Types

Sharp / Knife-like / Tight / Tense / Distension - Usually from tension, cramping, colic or spasm
- Use antispasmodic + analgesic (see list)
- Use calcium channel blockers for smooth muscle.
Dull - Swelling, distension, pressure, obstruction, and cramps, or mucus covering an ulcer, or blunt trauma
- Use astringent blood thinners + analgesic for pain due to swelling, obstruction, blood congestion (see list)
- Use anti-inflammatory + analgesic if inflammation is present (see list)
Raw / Acute - From tearing, ripping, breaking, rupture
Burning / Scraping - From irritation, topical injury
- Use soothing / demulcent and/or anti-inflammatories + analgesic (see list)
Itching - Low grade pain
- Use antipruritic
Tingling / Numbness - Poor circulation
Shooting pain - As in Sciatica - St. John's Wort.
Stinging - Aromatics, Cayenne, Aloe vera
Throbbing - Use vasodilating and/or Beta-blocking analgesics

Causes of Pain

Hot Type - Infection, Allergic reaction, Inflammation
Stagnant Type - Obstruction, Blood stasis - Ex: Premenstrual heaviness, varicose veins
Spasm / Cramp / Tension - I.e. Foot cramp, IBS, Mensutral cramp
Distension, Pressure, Swelling - Ex: Varicose Veins, Sinus headache, Volvulus
Ama - Ex: Sciatica, Osteoarthritis, Headache
Nerve hypersensitivity
Injury / break / tear / rupture - Ex: Broken bone, etc.
Irritation / Exposure (lack of protective barrier) - Ex: Ulcer

Feelings, Sensations & Pain Types

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

If the mechanism of pain relief is narcotic, do not combine with antihistamines.

INGREDIENTS WITH ANALGESIC QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System Meal Season

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Fennel Seeds
Reduces
Nutmeg
Reduces
Hemp Seed
Poppy Seed
Reduces
Allspice
Caraway Seeds
Cardamom
Cayenne Pepper
Cinnamon
Cloves
Crystallized Ginger
Cumin
Ginger (Dried)
Ginger (Fresh)
Hing (Asafoetida)
Marjoram
Mustard
Mustard Powder
Mustard Seed
Nigella (black cumin)
Oregano
Rosemary
Tarragon
Turmeric
Turmeric Root (Fresh)
Wasabi
Reduces
Dates (dried)
Lavender
Reduces
Chamomile
Mint
Red Leaf Lettuce
Reduces
Horseradish
Safflower
Sage

Browse Analgesic Recipes

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH ANALGESIC QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Bhringaraj
Chastetree Berry
Comfrey Root
Geranium
Lemon Balm
Motherwort
Red Clover
Willow, White
Reduces
Bala Taila
Milk Thistle
Vata Shirodhara Oil
Wintergreen
Reduces
Bala
Balarishta- Vitality Tonic
Black Cohosh
California Poppy
Cramp Bark
Gokshuradi Guggulu
Hops
Kava Kava
Licorice Ghee (9oz)
Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)
Mullein
NagaKeshar
Passionflower
Pitta Shirodhara Oil
Skullcap
Tagar (Indian Valerian)
Valerian
White Peony
Wild Lettuce
Reduces
Ashwagandha
Cayenne Massage Oil
Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)
Dong Quai
Elecampane
Eleuthero Ginseng
Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy
Joint Balm
Mahanarayan Oil
Prickly Ash
Sassafras Root
St. John's Wort
Wild Ginger
Yogaraj Guggulu
Aggravates
Blue Cohosh
Juniper Berry
Reduces
Gokshura
Lavender Essential Oil
Reduces
Ashoka
Ashokarishta - Menstrual Tonic
Calendula, Marigold
Cornsilk
Frankincense (Boswellia) Powder
Gentian
Ginkgo
Horsetail
Hydrangea
Jasmine Flower
Mahasudarshan
Manjistha
Mugwort
Partridge Berry
Pennyroyal
Pleurisy root
Red Root
Uva Ursi
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Reduces
Angelica
Bayberry
Echinacea
Lobelia
Sarpagandha (Indian Snakeroot / Rauwolfia)
Spearmint
Incomplete
Arnica
Birch
Bishop's Weed
Black Haw
Bromelain
Bupleurum
Butterbur
Camphor
Celandine
Corydalis, Chinese
Cypress Essential Oil - 1/3 oz
Elder flower
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Feverfew
Geranium, Wild
Gravel Root
Horse Chestnut
Jamaican Dogwood
Jujube
Lidocaine Gel
Lily Of The Valley
Meadowsweet
Menthol
Niaouli Essential Oil
Poke Root
Tea Tree Essential Oil - 1/3 oz
Wild Indigo
Wild Yam
Willow, Black

HELPFUL FOR*

'Analgesic' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

Analgesic Recipes Listed By Strength

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

Learn More

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

Analgesic (Vedanasthapana) - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON ANALGESIC

Pain Types

Causes of Pain

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

INGREDIENTS WITH ANALGESIC QUALITY

Neutral (Tridoshic)

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

DIGESTIVE

Alkalizing ALKALIZING An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions. SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

ALKALIZING

Spleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONIC An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues. SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

SPLEEN-TONIC

Fire FIRE Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry. SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

FIRE

Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Burns Toxins BURNS-TOXINS An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them. SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

BURNS-TOXINS

Air AIR Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough. SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

AIR

Vasodilator VASODILATOR A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area. SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

VASODILATOR

Carminative CARMINATIVE Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines. SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

CARMINATIVE

Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODIC Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS. SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

ANTISPASMODIC

Diaphoretic DIAPHORETIC An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin. SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

DIAPHORETIC

Nervine NERVINE Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature. SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

NERVINE

Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIAL An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals. SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

ANTIMICROBIAL

Diuretic DIURETIC Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

DIURETIC

Muscle Relaxant MUSCLE-RELAXANT Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma. SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Vulnerary VULNERARY An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic). SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

VULNERARY

Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Anxiolytic ANXIOLYTIC Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines. SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

ANXIOLYTIC

Alterative ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

ALTERATIVE

Clear CLEAR Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

CLEAR

Hot HOT Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

HOT

Light LIGHT Lightness is identified by reduced weight. SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

LIGHT

Mobile MOBILE Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

MOBILE

Easy EASY Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

EASY

Dry DRY Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

DRY

Liquefied LIQUEFIED Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

LIQUEFIED

Cold COLD Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

COLD

Heavy HEAVY Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

HEAVY

Oily OILY In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily. SEE ALL 'OILY' FOODS / HERBS

OILY

Gooey GOOEY Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion. SEE ALL 'GOOEY' FOODS / HERBS

GOOEY

Pungent PUNGENT Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

PUNGENT

Aromatic AROMATIC Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues. SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

AROMATIC

Bitter BITTER Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying. SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

BITTER

Digestive
DIGESTIVE
Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.
SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Alkalizing
ALKALIZING
An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.
SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

Spleen Tonic
SPLEEN-TONIC
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.
SEE ALL 'SPLEEN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Fire
FIRE
Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.
SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant
INTERNAL-DETOXICANT
Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.
SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Burns Toxins
BURNS-TOXINS
An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.
SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

Air
AIR
Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough.
SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

Vasodilator
VASODILATOR
A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.
SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Carminative
CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic
ANTISPASMODIC
Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.
SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic
DIAPHORETIC
An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.
SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine
NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Antimicrobial
ANTIMICROBIAL
An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.
SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic
DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant
MUSCLE-RELAXANT
Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.
SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Vulnerary
VULNERARY
An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).
SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Anxiolytic
ANXIOLYTIC
Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.
SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative
ALTERATIVE
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Clear
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

Hot
HOT
Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.
SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

Light
LIGHT
Lightness is identified by reduced weight.
SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

Mobile
MOBILE
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

Easy
EASY
Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.
SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

Dry
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

Liquefied
LIQUEFIED
Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.
SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

Cold
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

Heavy
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

Oily
OILY
In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.
SEE ALL 'OILY' FOODS / HERBS

Gooey
GOOEY
Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.
SEE ALL 'GOOEY' FOODS / HERBS

Pungent
PUNGENT
Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.
SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic
AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bitter
BITTER
Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.
SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

Astringent
ASTRINGENT
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
SEE ALL 'ASTRINGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Acrid
ACRID
Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.
SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Sweet
SWEET
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
SEE ALL 'SWEET' FOODS / HERBS

Crunchy
CRUNCHY
Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.
SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

Resinous
RESINOUS
Resinous substances often contain sap in them, such as rosemary, or herbs such as cedar, frankincense, and guggulu.
SEE ALL 'RESINOUS' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality
ENERGY-VITALITY
Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.
SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care
SKIN-CARE
Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).
SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Aging
ANTI-AGING
Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine
NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic
ANTISPASMODIC
Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.
SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic
DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS