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Rooted

Musculoskeletal

Nonspecific low back pain

5 plants

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Movement beats rest. Plants here are short-course symptom adjuncts for non-radicular, non-red-flag back pain. Devil’s claw has the best oral trial file. White willow is a salicylate. Topical comfrey has human data on intact skin and is still a PA plant — keep it external and brief.

Primary plants

  1. Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
    1
    Devil's clawHuman data

    Harpagophytum procumbens

    Best oral plant file on this list for nonspecific back pain. Short-course symptom adjunct — not a disc drug.

    Typical. Harpagoside-standardized root extract, often 600–1200 mg/day divided.

    Safety. Avoid PUD and gallstones. Possible additive anticoagulant effect.

  2. White willow (Salix alba)
    2
    White willowStrong traditional

    Salix alba

    Salicin analgesic. Treat like a weak, variable NSAID — not a gentler aspirin.

    Typical. Bark extract per monograph; salicylate yield is variable. Short course.

    Safety. Bleed, ulcer, kids (Reye logic), 3rd-trimester pregnancy, NSAID allergy.

Supportive plants3
  • Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
    CayenneHuman data
    Capsicum annuum

    Topical capsaicin for regional myofascial/back-wall pain.

    Typical. Topical 0.025–0.075% cream to intact skin. Wash hands.

    Safety. Burns. Not for inflamed or broken skin.

  • Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
    ComfreyHuman data
    Symphytum officinale

    Topical PA plant with some strain/back trial data. External, intact skin, short course.

    Typical. Topical cream as labeled, limited duration.

    Safety. Never internal. Not for pregnancy or large-area broken skin.

  • Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
    TurmericHuman data
    Curcuma longa

    Systemic inflammatory-pain adjunct if already using for OA. Not disc-specific.

    Typical. Curcuminoid extract ranges as on the OA page.

    Safety. DILI, bleeding, piperine interactions.

Clinical notes

  • Cauda equina is a same-day emergency, not a cream.
  • Yellow flags (fear-avoidance, catastrophizing) predict chronicity better than the MRI.
  • If they cannot walk on heels/toes or have saddle anesthesia, stop this page.

When this is not enough

  • Saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder change, bilateral sciatica — cauda equina
  • Progressive neurologic deficit, cancer history, IVDU, fever, unexplained weight loss
  • Trauma in osteoporotic/older patients

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All musculoskeletal diagnoses