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Rooted

Musculoskeletal · also Nervous / Mental

Sciatica (adjunct)

4 plants

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True radicular pain down a dermatome. Time, activity, and guideline meds. Devil's claw is a back-pain plant. Topical capsaicin for the wall. Saddle anesthesia and bowel/bladder change are an ED.

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, borrowed to radicular pictures with humility.

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

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

  2. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
    2
    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.

Supportive plants2
  • White willow (Salix alba)
    White willowStrong traditional
    Salix alba

    Salicin analgesic. Treat like a weak, variable NSAID.

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

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

  • Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
    ComfreyHuman data
    Symphytum officinale

    Topical, intact skin, short course.

    Typical. Topical cream limited duration.

    Safety. Never internal.

When this is not enough

  • Saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder change, progressive motor loss, fever/IVDU (epidural abscess), cancer history with night pain

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