Living with nerve pain is tough. For some people it eases over time; for others it can last months or years, and sometimes it never goes away completely. Standard treatments and medicines can help, but long-term use often brings side effects.
The good news is there are natural options backed by research. These range from simple home remedies you can try yourself to treatments best done by a professional. Some are taken by mouth, others applied to the skin — showing that effective relief doesn’t always mean synthetic drugs.
Below are seven natural remedies for nerve pain with some evidence behind them. They can be used alongside your usual care, but always check with your healthcare professional first.
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Capsaicin (from chilli peppers)
What it is: Capsaicin is the compound that makes chilli peppers hot. In higher doses it can calm overactive pain nerves.
What the research says: The strongest option is the 8% capsaicin patch (QUTENZA®), which has been shown to help certain nerve pains like post-herpetic neuralgia (after shingles) and diabetic neuropathy. A single treatment can provide relief for around three months in some cases.
How to use it safely: The high-dose patch must be applied in a clinic by trained staff, often after numbing the skin, because it causes a strong burning sensation at first. Capsaicin creams are more accessible but, for some nerve conditions, should be used under specialist guidance. They can be useful for small, local areas if you prefer to avoid oral meds.
PEA (palmitoylethanolamide)
What it is: PEA is a fatty molecule your body makes to calm irritated or inflamed nerves. It’s also found in small amounts in foods like egg yolks, peanuts, and soy lecithin.
What the research says: PEA has shown promise in trials for nerve compression issues such as sciatica and carpal tunnel. In a large double-blind study of 636 people with sciatica, those taking PEA for three weeks were much more likely to get meaningful relief — about half had a 50% or greater drop in pain. Reviews combining multiple studies also report benefits for chronic pain, including less burning or tingling, better sleep, and improved quality of life. Trials for diabetic nerve pain show similar improvements in a few weeks.
How to use it safely: PEA is usually well tolerated; side effects are uncommon and mild (nausea or mild stomach upset). Typical study doses are 600–1,200 mg/day, often 600 mg twice daily for 2–3 weeks, then 600 mg once daily as maintenance. Check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you’re on other pain medicines or have long-term health issues.
Magnesium
What it is: An essential mineral that helps calm overactive nerves and reduce central sensitisation — when the nervous system becomes too sensitive to pain.
What the research says: Some studies show intravenous magnesium can help nerve pain from cancer, post-herpetic neuralgia, and peripheral neuropathy. There’s also research suggesting long-term magnesium may slow diabetic neuropathy progression. Much of this evidence comes from hospital treatments (injections or infusions), but keeping magnesium levels healthy through diet or supplements may still help nerve and muscle health.
How to use it safely: Aim to meet magnesium needs through food (leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains). Many supplements provide 200–400 mg elemental magnesium/day; the NIH recommends an upper limit of 350 mg/day from supplements for adults (higher doses should be guided by a clinician). Common side effects are loose stools, nausea, and cramping. People with kidney disease should get medical advice first. Magnesium can interact with some drugs (certain antibiotics, bisphosphonates, levothyroxine) — take those at a different time of day.
Salt water foot baths
What it is: A simple soak in warm water with table salt or Epsom salt, mainly used for feet where neuropathy is common.
What the research says: In a small randomized trial of people with diabetic neuropathy, nightly warm salt soaks for a month reduced pain more than warm water alone. The study was small, so it’s not definitive, but it’s a reasonable comfort measure. A 2025 randomized trial also found Epsom-salt (magnesium sulfate) foot baths delayed onset and reduced symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and improved quality of life.
How to use it safely: 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 groups generally advise against soaking feet because it can dry skin, damage it, and raise infection risk.
Black seed oil (Nigella sativa)
What it is: Oil pressed from Nigella sativa (black seed). It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions.
What the research says: A 2024 double-blind trial in people with diabetic neuropathy found a topical Nigella ointment eased burning, numbness, and night-time symptom worsening more than placebo, and it even outperformed gabapentin after three months. Reviews note its potential but say the evidence is still early and from small studies.
How to use it safely: Topical use is generally well tolerated; mild skin irritation can occur. Avoid applying to broken skin and stop if irritation appears. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or on multiple medicines, check with your clinician first.
Turmeric (curcumin)
What it is: Curcumin is the yellow compound in turmeric, known for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
What the research says: Some studies are promising. A 2019 trial in diabetic peripheral neuropathy found nano-curcumin supplements improved symptoms. A 2025 pediatric study reported curcumin helped prevent and ease nerve damage from vincristine (a chemotherapy drug). But a larger 2025 double-blind trial found no benefit for pain or nerve function after 16 weeks of curcumin in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Results are mixed, so it may help in some situations but isn’t consistently effective by itself.
How to use it safely: If you try curcumin, use modest, time-limited doses. Clinical studies often use about 500–1,000 mg/day of curcumin extract (divided) for 8–12 weeks, though some trials used lower or different formulations. Enhanced-absorption formulas (often with piperine/black pepper) have been linked to rare but serious liver injury. Check safety notes and talk to your doctor if you take blood thinners or have liver disease.
Red light therapy
What it is: Also called photobiomodulation, red or near-infrared light is applied to the skin using medical LEDs or low-level lasers to reduce inflammation and support nerve health.
What the research says: Small human studies show benefits for some nerve pain conditions. Low-level laser therapy has reduced pain and improved sensation in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a 2025 randomized trial reported similar gains after several weeks. A randomized, sham-controlled trial also found help for chemotherapy-induced nerve pain. Results are encouraging, but devices and treatment approaches vary widely.
How to use it safely: Devices differ in wavelength, dose, and session length, so outcomes vary. If interested, work with a clinician or therapist using medical-grade equipment and evidence-based settings. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild (temporary warmth, redness, or skin irritation).
Popular Remedies That Don’t Have Strong Evidence
Not all natural remedies have good research behind them. Some are popular online but lack solid clinical proof for nerve pain. A few examples:
– Apple cider vinegar — Despite many online claims, there’s no clinical evidence it eases nerve pain. It can harm tooth enamel and irritate skin. Vinegar foot soaks are not recommended for people with diabetes because they raise infection risk.
– Ginger — Helpful for inflammation in arthritis, but human studies for neuropathic pain are limited. Most nerve pain evidence comes from animal research so far.
– Rosemary essential oil — Lab and animal studies suggest nerve protection, but human research is scarce and the only small trial in nerve pain was very limited.
– Celery seed extract — Marketed for joint pain and gout, but no reliable human trials show it helps with nerve pain.
These may still be pleasant or helpful for other issues, but they don’t yet have the research needed to recommend them for nerve pain.
Lifestyle Habits That Can Help with Nerve Pain
Alongside natural remedies, lifestyle changes can make a real difference. They don’t replace treatment but can support it and improve comfort:
– Cut down on added sugar — High sugar promotes inflammation and can worsen diabetes, a major cause of nerve damage. Choose whole foods and swap sugary snacks for fruit to support blood sugar control and nerve health.
– Exercise regularly — Gentle, consistent movement improves circulation, strength, and flexibility, which can ease neuropathy. Even daily walks or simple stretches help — you don’t need intense workouts.
– Foot care matters — Nerve pain often affects the feet, especially in diabetes. Wear supportive shoes, keep feet clean and dry, and check them regularly. If you have diabetes, see a podiatrist for routine checks.
– Avoid smoking — Smoking harms circulation and can worsen nerve problems. It’s linked to chronic pain, so quitting is one of the best things you can do for nerve and overall health.
Final Thoughts
Nerve pain can feel overwhelming, but small, steady changes add up. What helps one person may not help another, so it’s worth trying different approaches and giving each some time.
Keep a simple symptom diary — note what you eat, any supplements or therapies you try, and lifestyle changes — so you can track what actually helps you.
And don’t go it alone. Discuss new supplements or therapies with your doctor or specialist. With the right mix of strategies and good medical advice, managing nerve pain becomes much more doable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best natural remedy for nerve pain?
There’s no single best option for everyone. Remedies with some evidence include capsaicin patches or cream, PEA, magnesium, black seed oil, turmeric (curcumin), red light therapy, and salt water foot baths. The right choice depends on your symptoms and health, so discuss options with your doctor.
Can nerve pain go away on its own?
Sometimes — especially if it comes from an injury that heals or temporary pressure on a nerve. But nerve pain can also persist for months or years, particularly when linked to diabetes, shingles, or chronic conditions. Even if it doesn’t fully go away, treatments and lifestyle changes can make it much more manageable.
Are home remedies enough for nerve pain?
Home remedies like salt water foot baths, gentle exercise, and supplements can help, but they usually work best as part of a larger plan. Many people still need prescription treatments, so think of natural remedies as a support, not a replacement for medical care.
Is it safe to try natural remedies for nerve pain?
Most remedies here are considered safe when used correctly, but side effects can occur. For example, capsaicin cream can burn, turmeric can interact with blood thinners, and foot soaks may be unsafe for people with diabetes unless approved by a doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider before trying something new.
Which vitamins or supplements are good for nerve health?
Besides PEA and magnesium, B vitamins (especially B12) are important for healthy nerves. Low B12 can cause or worsen nerve pain. If you suspect a deficiency, your doctor can test and recommend the right supplement or treatment.