Muscle tension can be painful and disabling. There are three types of muscles in your body: smooth muscle, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle. These muscles can spasm, cramp or become tense due to stress, dietary deficiency or underlying disease. Doctors may prescribe antispasmodic medication to relieve the pain and relax tense muscles, but these medications can have unpleasant side effects. Herbal remedies may provide a safe and effective alternative to conventional drugs.
Black cohosh
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is an herbal antispasmodic used especially to treat painful menstruation caused by uterine muscle contractions. In her article, “Menstrual Cramps: An Herbal Approach,” Dr. Tori Hudson, a naturopathic physician and professor at Bastyr University, recommends black cohosh as a remedy for even severe spasmodic menstrual cramps.
Lotus
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic plant considered sacred in India. Lotus roots are used in traditional herbal medicine throughout Asia. Lotus seed contains an alkaloid called neferine that has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle tissue. A study published in the 2007 issue of the “Asian Journal of Andrology” found that neferine extracted from the green seed embryo of the lotus plant relaxed smooth muscle tissue by inhibiting calcium, necessary for muscle contractions, from entering or leaving cells.
Skullcap
Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), also known as huáng qín, is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese herbology. The skullcap root has been used traditionally to prevent uterine contractions and premature labor. A study published in the March 2009 issue of the “Journal of Biomedical Science” provided scientific support for the traditional role of skullcap in preventing premature contractions, and found that the flavonoid known as oroxylin A may be the plant ingredient active in relaxing uterine contractions.
Kava
Kava (Piper methysticum) is an herb native to the Pacific Islands. Kava contains a group of psychoactive chemicals called kavalactones, which are the main active ingredients in the plant. One of these kavalactones, called kavain, may be responsible for the muscle relaxant effect of kava. In her 2005 book, “Herbs Demystified: A Scientist Explains How the Most Common Herbal Remedies Really Work,” Holly Phaneuf explains that kavain may block the L-type calcium channel, preventing the flow of calcium ions into muscle cells and causing muscles to relax.
About this Author
Janet Contursi has a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Minnesota and has been a freelance writer for 23 years. Her articles have appeared in professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and on the Web. Contursi has a Master Herbalist diploma from the American College of Healthcare and Sciences. Her interests are the environment, herbal medicine, and forensic science.
