Are there any natural anesthetics?

Answer by  benjiross (993)

Cocaine is a natural substance that causes local anesthesia where it is applied. Mandrake, from the nightshade plant, has anesthetic properties too. Opium has been used in the past as an anesthetic. Two other natural things that have local anesthetic properties are saxitoxin & tetrodotoxin produced from some marine species living in water.

Answer by  Anonymous

Yarrow is a natural plant that is about 12" high, and has a large, flat, white, top made of small flowers. Pull it up, and the plump, short, purple roots have a juice inside that releases an anesthetic that numbs. It is very usefull to use to relieve tooth pain.

Answer by  Skullwing (746)

Alcoholic beverages, particularly whiskey and other strong liquors, were "natural" anesthetics used throughout history in order to deaden pain before an operation such as removing a tooth or even an entire limb. This is because alcohol is a depressant which acts on the entire body and its systems and enough of it will cause blackouts and possible unconsciousness.

Answer by  cresandsuzanne (115)

Most anesthetics are derived from natural sources. Cannabis has been used for years to relieve minor aches an pains. Opium, Cocaine, and the Mandrake root are also plants that relieve pain and can be used as anesthesias.

Answer by  raun08 (1839)

Yes, nearly all pain relievers and anesthetics are derived from plants. Most famously, aspirin and those drugs in the opiate family.

Answer by  Ava (192)

Hyrdrogen peroxide applied topically to mosquito bites will anesthetize the itch. It will also help heal any bites you may have scratched open. Hydrogen peroxide is safe, cheap, and found easily on the grocery shelf in the usual brown plastic bottle. It has a gazillion other uses, so is a useful product to have on hand.

Answer by  Olive (1195)

There are several herbs that provide some anesthetic qualities: clove, for example, numbs tooth pain but you need to be careful because it can damage the root. Whiskey has been used too. Others are kava kava, St. John's Wort, and valerian.

Answer by  fortbuilder (7)

Asprin came about by the discovery of salycidic *sp acid. the sap or lquid beneath the common willow is mostly salycidic acid. And because of this many native tribes relyed on the willow heavily for much of their medicinal uses. However, even asprin isn't much of an anesthetic.

Answer by  emhaskey (685)

Opium, cannabis, cocaine, kava kava, valerian, St. John's Wort, and mandrake have all been used traditionally to relieve aches and pains. Some people find that multiple acupuncture sessions help to decrease pain.

Answer by  esquisitepetal (65)

Inhaling smoke from hemp was used as an anesthetic by the Scythians in ancient times. Wine made from mandrake was used for the same purpose. Two other plant derived ingredients used are cannabis and opium. The problem with using any of these natural anesthetics is knowing why how much to use without killing the patient.

Answer by  Jeff35 (57)

There are a number of natural anesthetics, ranging from clove oil to garlic. Other natural anesthetics include vanilla extract, ginger and turmeric powder.

Answer by  CEEFORINA (784)

Opium and mandrake were reported as being used as early as AD 70. Most anesthetics are derived from plants: Clove, derivatives of St Johns Wort, Kava Kava and Valerian can work as sedatives to varying degrees but not enough to provide surgical anesthesia. Some people find that repeated sessions of acupuncture can help relieve or numb pain.

Answer by  fortbuilder (7)

*beneathe the common willow (bark). Sorry about that.