Supermarkets and pharmacies have aisles and aisles of pills, powders and bandages to help with pain relief. Some common pain relief medication can cause mild side effects like drowsiness or nausea. Other pain relief medications are prescribed and can have even more serious side effects. Drugs like vicodin and percocet are prescription, heavy duty narcotic pain relief pills that are addictive and dangerous if not taken carefully. A safer option for society’s pain relief is the variety of all natural products. These all natural products aid in pain relief for muscle and joint pain, as well as relax the body for a general improvement of the body and soul. Some examples of natural pain relief products are vitamins, supplements, herbs, ointments, creams and even bath formulas to reduce inflammation.
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Herbs are plants grown for culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual value. The green, leafy part of the plant is typically used. General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. Medicinal herbs may be a shrub or other woody plant, whereas a culinary herbs are a non-woody plant. By contrast, spices are the seeds, berries, bark, root, or other parts of the plant, even leaves in some cases; although any of these, as well as any edible fruits or vegetables, may be considered “herbs” in medicinal or spiritual use. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that they are used in small amounts and provide flavor (are spices) rather than substance to food.
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What are herbal extracts?

Herbal extracts are a liquid solution of herbs and alcohol. The dried or fresh herbs are combined with alcohol, then the solid matter is removed leaving only the oils of the herbs mixed with the alcohol. This process is called extraction, hence the name, “herbal extract.” For example an extract made from peppermint and alcohol would be called “peppermint extract.” Most commercially sold herbal extracts have a herb to alcohol ratio printed on the label. When dry herbs were used to make the extract the ratio is commonly 1 part alcohol to 4 parts dried herb. When fresh herbs are used the most common ratio is 1:1. This does not indicate the amount of that herb in the bottle of herbal extract, rather the ratio used in making the extract. Example: Dry herb strength: 1:4 means that the mixture used to produce the herbal extract was 4 parts dried herb and one part alcohol. This is not the same as an ingredients list which is also present on most commercial herbal extracts.
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