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Living with nerve pain is never easy. For some, it may ease on its own over time; for others, it can linger for months or even years. In certain cases, it may never fully go away. Conventional treatments and regular medication can help, but they often come with side effects – especially if you have to use them long-term.
The good news is there are natural remedies for nerve pain that are backed by research. These range from simple home treatments you can try yourself to options that need a professional to administer. Some work as oral supplements, others as topical treatments – proving that the most effective therapy doesn’t always have to rely on synthetic chemicals.
In this article, you’ll find seven natural remedies for nerve pain that have some evidence behind them, so you can explore additional ways to help manage your symptoms alongside your regular care.
What it is: Capsaicin is the natural compound that gives chilli peppers their heat, and in high doses it can actually calm down overactive pain nerves.
What the research says: The strongest form is the 8% capsaicin patch (sold as QUTENZA®), which research shows can help with certain types of nerve pain, like post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain after shingles) and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes). The effects can last for around three months after just one treatment.
How to use it safely: The high-dose patch isn’t something you can use at home. It has to be applied in a clinic by trained professionals, often after numbing the skin, because it causes an intense burning feeling at first.
For a more accessible option, there’s capsaicin cream, but for certain nerve conditions it should only be used under specialist supervision. It can still be worth trying for small, localised areas if you can’t (or don’t want to) take oral medicines.
What it is: PEA is a fatty compound your body naturally produces when it needs to calm irritated or inflamed nerves. You can also find small amounts in foods like egg yolks, peanuts, and soy lecithin.
What the research says: PEA has been tested in several human trials for nerve compression problems such as sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome, with encouraging results. In one large double-blind study of 636 people with sciatica, those who took PEA for three weeks were far more likely to get meaningful relief – about half saw their pain reduced by 50% or more. Importantly, the treatment was well-tolerated, with no serious side effects.
A recent review combining results from multiple studies also found PEA to be effective and safe for different types of chronic pain, with benefits like less burning or tingling, better sleep, and improved quality of life. Research in diabetic nerve pain has shown similar improvements within just a few weeks.
How to use it safely: PEA supplements are generally well tolerated; reported side effects are uncommon and usually mild (e.g., nausea or mild stomach upset) with no major drug interactions noted in reviews (safety review, meta-analysis).
Typical study doses are 600–1,200 mg/day; many protocols use 600 mg twice daily for 2–3 weeks, then 600 mg daily as maintenance. Still, check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you’re on other pain medicines or have long-term conditions.
What it is: An essential mineral that plays an important role in calming overactive nerves and reducing something called central sensitisation – basically, when your nervous system becomes too sensitive to pain signals.
What the research says: Some studies have shown that magnesium given intravenously (directly into the bloodstream) can help with nerve pain from cancer, post-herpetic neuralgia (long-lasting pain after shingles), and peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing tingling, numbness, or burning). There’s also research suggesting long-term magnesium supplementation may slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy.
While most of this evidence is from hospital-based treatments using injections or infusions, keeping your magnesium levels healthy through your diet (or with supplements if advised by your doctor), might still be worth considering, especially since magnesium also supports muscle relaxation and overall nerve health.
How to use it safely: Day to day, aim to meet magnesium needs through food (leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains). If you’re thinking about higher-dose supplements, it’s best to get medical guidance to make sure it’s safe for you.
If you’re considering supplements, many products provide 200–400 mg elemental magnesium/day; the NIH sets an upper limit of 350 mg/day from supplements for adults (higher medical doses should be clinician-guided).
Common side effects are loose stools, nausea, and cramping; people with kidney disease need medical advice first. Magnesium can also interfere with some medicines (e.g., certain antibiotics, bisphosphonates, levothyroxine) – take them at a different time of day.
What it is: A simple at-home soak using warm water and salt (ordinary table salt or Epsom salt). It’s mainly used for feet, where neuropathy symptoms are common.
What the research says: In people with diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes), one small randomized trial tested nightly soaks for a month and found the warm salt-water group reported lower pain scores than warm water alone. The study was small and short, so it’s not definitive, but it’s a reasonable comfort measure for some people.
There’s also research in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage from certain chemo drugs): a 2025 randomized trial of Epsom-salt (magnesium sulfate) foot baths reported delayed onset and reduced symptoms, with better quality-of-life scores.
How to use it safely: If you want to try this at home, keep the water warm, not hot, avoid broken skin, and dry feet well afterward. If you have diabetes or reduced sensation, talk to your clinician first – major diabetes organisations advise not soaking feet because it can dry and damage skin and raise infection risk.
What it is: Oil pressed from Nigella sativa (“black seed”). It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
What the research says: A 2024 double-blind trial in people with diabetic neuropathy found that a topical Nigella ointment eased burning, numbness, and night-time worsening of symptoms more than a placebo, and even performed better than gabapentin (a prescription nerve pain medicine) after three months.
A recent review also highlights its potential for nerve pain, though the evidence is still early and based on small studies.
How to use it safely: Used topically, black seed oil is generally well tolerated; mild skin irritation can occur. Avoid broken skin and stop if irritation develops. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking multiple medicines, check with your clinician first.
What it is: Curcumin is the bright yellow compound in turmeric. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which is why it’s often explored for nerve pain.
What the research says: Some studies are encouraging – for example, a 2019 trial in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy found that nano-curcumin supplements improved symptoms.
A 2025 paediatric study also reported that curcumin helped prevent and ease nerve damage from vincristine, a chemotherapy drug used in children with leukaemia.
However, not all research is positive. A larger 2025 double-blind trial in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy found no benefit for pain or nerve function after 16 weeks of curcumin.
So, it may help in some settings, but results aren’t consistent enough to rely on it alone.
How to use it safely: If you try curcumin, keep doses modest and time-limited. Clinical studies commonly use ~500–1,000 mg/day of curcumin extract (often divided) for 8-12 weeks; products and doses vary (e.g., some trials used 250 mg/day of a water-dispersible extract) – check your label and talk to your clinician.
High-dose or “enhanced-absorption” formulas (often with piperine/black pepper) have been linked to rare but sometimes serious liver injury. Review general safety/side effects and ask your doctor first if you take blood thinners or have liver disease.
What it is: A non-invasive treatment (also called photobiomodulation) that uses red or near-infrared light on the skin to calm inflammation and support nerve function. It’s delivered with medical LEDs or low-level lasers.
What the research says: Small human studies suggest benefits for certain nerve pain conditions.In people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, low-level laser therapy has been shown to reduce pain and improve sensation, and a 2025 randomized trial reported similar benefits after several weeks of treatment.
There’s also evidence from a randomized, sham-controlled trial that it can help relieve chemotherapy-induced nerve pain.
While results are encouraging, devices and treatment protocols vary a lot, so not all red light products will deliver the same effects.
How to use it safely: Devices and protocols (wavelength, dose, session length) vary a lot, so results can differ. If you’re interested, work with a clinician or therapist who uses medical-grade equipment and evidence-based settings. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild (temporary warmth, redness, or skin irritation).
Not every natural remedy you hear about for nerve pain is backed by solid research. Some are popular thanks to anecdotal reports or social media buzz, but when you look at the studies, the evidence just isn’t there – at least not yet. Here are a few we’ve left off the list and why:
These might still be pleasant or helpful for other conditions, but they don’t yet have the research support to make it into a science-backed list for nerve pain.
Alongside natural remedies, certain lifestyle changes can make a real difference in how you manage nerve pain day to day. These don’t replace treatment, but they can support it and improve your overall comfort. Here are a few other things you can do:
Living with nerve pain can feel overwhelming, but small, steady changes often add up. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s worth trying different approaches and giving your body time to respond.
Keep a simple symptom diary – note what you eat, the supplements or therapies you try, and any lifestyle tweaks – so you can track what actually makes a difference for you.
Most importantly, don’t do it alone. Share what you’re trying with your doctor or specialist, especially before starting new supplements or therapies. With the right mix of strategies and good guidance, managing nerve pain becomes much more doable.
There isn’t a single “best” option for everyone, since nerve pain has many causes. Evidence-backed remedies include capsaicin patches or cream, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), magnesium, black seed oil, turmeric (curcumin), red light therapy, and salt water foot baths. The right choice depends on your symptoms and overall health, so it’s worth discussing with your doctor.
Sometimes, yes, especially if it’s caused by an injury that heals or temporary pressure on a nerve. But in many cases, nerve pain can linger for months or years, particularly if it’s linked to diabetes, shingles, or long-term conditions. Even if the pain doesn’t fully go away, the right combination of treatments and lifestyle changes can make it much more manageable.
Home remedies like salt water foot baths, gentle exercise, and supplements can definitely help, but they’re usually most effective as part of a bigger plan. Many people still need prescription treatments for relief, so it’s best to think of natural remedies as a way to support, not completely replace, medical care.
Most of the remedies discussed here are considered safe when used properly, but there can be side effects. For example, capsaicin cream can cause burning, turmeric can interact with blood thinners, and foot soaks aren’t safe for people with diabetes unless approved by a doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting something new.
Aside from PEA and magnesium, B vitamins (especially B12) are crucial for healthy nerves. Low levels can cause or worsen nerve pain. If you suspect a deficiency, your doctor can test for it and recommend the right supplement or treatment.
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