Medical science is starting to recognize that Nature and, specifically, the plant world, still holds more secret cures to a number of human ailments. For example, sharks are not known to develop any form of cancer, and some scientists and researchers are eager to find out why. The toxins that come from animals such as vipers and scorpions are the same key ingredients in developing anti-venom for those creatures. Herbal remedies have been used by various cultures for centuries, with some systems developing alongside the culture that they originated from, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, and the Ayurvedic Medicine in India. It is, therefore, not really surprising that pain relief derived from various herbs are a distinct possibility.

Herbal remedies and concoctions have been in use for centuries, from the hemlock used to poison Aristotle to the various plant and root extracts that form the foundation of Chinese herbal medicine. For pain relief, the plant world has given modern medicine and civilization a number of options. Cannabis and poppy seeds can both be used for pain relief purposes, though they are more typically used as addictive substances. The essential oils of lavender, pine, rosemary, juniper, and many others, when mixed with oils such as olive or coconut, can be used as an effective means of dulling the effects of chronic pain in any part of the body.

Some herbs, such as St. John's Wort, act in a manner similar to muscle relaxants and can be used both for pain relief and muscle relaxation. St. John's is particularly useful when treating nerves that have been inflamed, damaged, or strained, because the herb works on the nervous system in general and not only on the affected areas. Vervain, which is a similar plant, has been in use for centuries and is lauded by herbalists as being the herbal equivalent of aspirin when it comes to dealing with pain and pain relief. Other herbs that affect the nervous system and can be used to combat the problem of chronic pain include California poppy and oats. All of these are made available in the market both in formulas and tinctures, as well as being distributed on their own.

Rose oil is notable for having soothing effects on the nervous system, which makes it effective as a rub or ointment on afflicted areas. It also possesses some effective anti-inflammatory agents, making it effective in dealing with pain caused by conditions such as arthritis and muscle cramps. Some have also sworn by the relief in brings people who experience menstrual cramps and spasms, due to the antispasmodic properties of some of rose oil's components. Tinctures that contain rose oil have also been used to help relieve hormonal imbalances, build immune system strength, and building bones.

There are many more possible herbal remedies that can provide pain relief. Traditional medicine practitioners even possess age-old formulas and mixtures for specific types and areas of pain. Modern medicine is slowly discovering the chemical components that achieve this effect, but are often seen as behind the times when it comes to actual use. Systems such as TCM and Ayurveda have been using these herbs for centuries and understand what quantities and what herbs are best for relieving what types of pain in certain types of people.