Causes and Types

• Among the many causes for neuralgic pain are viral infection, inflammation and trauma. The pain can be intense and sharp, lasting from a few seconds to hours, and can often return. Postherpetic neuralgia is from herpes virus and often is associated with pain from shingles. Trigeminal neuralgia, the most common neuralgic pain, causes a sharp pain on the trigeminal nerve in the face.
  
  

Herbal Treatment

• Herbs have often been used to treat pain from neuralgia. Some of the popular herbs are St. John's wort, which is anti-inflammatory and available in capsule and tincture form. Passion flower relaxes the nerves and is available in tincture. Jamaican dogwood is an anodyne and is available as tincture and capsule.
  
  

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture has been found helpful in treating trigeminal neuralgia and is a noninvasive way to alleviate pain. The Chinese theory is that energy flows through the body on pathways referred to as meridians. When the pathways become blocked, both pain and disease will ensue.
  
  

Other Approaches

• Neuralgia can be remedied by following an anti-inflammatory diet of whole foods with low-fat protein, high-fiber carbohydrates and an abundance of fruits and vegetables. The B complex vitamins can be helpful in the fight against neuralgic pain. Several homeopathic remedies are used to relieve neuralgic pain. Capsaicin, a topical cream made from hot peppers, can bring pain relief.