Other names for Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral nerve damage
Peripheral neuritis
Polyneuropathy
Neuropathic pain

Synopsis of Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nerves—those outside the brain and spinal cord—affecting sensation, movement, and autonomic functions. It can impact one nerve (mononeuropathy), multiple nerves (multiple mononeuropathy), or many nerves simultaneously (polyneuropathy). Most cases develop gradually and can cause numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness, particularly in the hands and feet. Though often chronic, identifying and treating the underlying cause can halt or even reverse nerve damage in some cases.

Types:

• Sensory neuropathy: Affects nerves controlling sensation

• Motor neuropathy: Affects nerves controlling muscles

• Autonomic neuropathy: Impacts involuntary functions like blood pressure, digestion

• Mixed neuropathies: Affect both motor and sensory nerves

Common Causes:

• Diabetes (most common cause in developed countries)

• Alcohol abuse

• Chemotherapy (e.g., platinum-based drugs)

• Nutritional deficiencies (B vitamins, especially B12)

• Infections (Lyme disease, shingles, HIV)

• Autoimmune disorders (lupus, RA)

• Toxin exposure (heavy metals, solvents)

Severity Causes:

• Uncontrolled diabetes or chronic alcohol use

• Late diagnosis with sustained nerve damage

• Coexisting conditions (e.g., kidney disease)

• Recurrent trauma or compression injuries

When to See a Doctor:

• Persistent tingling, burning, or numbness in extremities

• Muscle weakness or coordination issues

• Sharp, stabbing pain at rest

• Symptoms that interfere with sleep or mobility

• Symptoms spreading or worsening over time

Natural remedies for Peripheral Neuropathy

Alpha-lipoic acid: An antioxidant that has shown promise in reducing symptoms of diabetic neuropathy by improving nerve blood flow and lowering oxidative stress.

B-complex vitamins: Deficiencies, especially in B1, B6, and B12, are common contributors to neuropathy. Supplementing with a high-quality B-complex can help repair damaged nerves and restore proper nerve function.

Capsaicin cream: Derived from chili peppers, this topical remedy may reduce pain signals by depleting substance P from sensory neurons. Useful for localized burning pain when used consistently.

Warm baths: Soaking in a warm bath improves circulation and can temporarily relieve pain, numbness, or tingling in affected limbs. Beneficial before bed to ease nighttime discomfort.

Gentle exercise: Low-impact activities like swimming or walking stimulate nerve regeneration, improve circulation, and enhance muscle strength, especially when done regularly.

Acetyl L-carnitine: A compound involved in mitochondrial energy production that has shown benefit in reducing pain and regenerating nerves in some studies, especially in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Massage therapy: Promotes circulation and lymph flow, which can ease nerve pressure and improve pain perception. Particularly effective when combined with essential oils like peppermint or lavender.

Good foot care: For those with diabetes or chronic numbness, inspecting the feet daily and wearing protective footwear can prevent wounds and infections due to unnoticed injuries.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Peripheral Neuropathy

acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha lipoic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
beet
beta-tocopherol
bilberry
biotin
branched-chain amino acids
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
ginkgo biloba
gotu kola
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-citrulline
l-glutathione
l-taurine
lion's mane
magnesium
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
omega-3 fatty acids
phospholipids
pine bark
quercetin
resveratrol
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
thiamin (vitamin B1)
tocotrienols
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
thyroid substance
18-Hydroxyeicosahexaenoic Acid
Arginine
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercetin
Adenosine diphosphate
Arginine orotate
Agmatine
Astragaloside IV
Agmatine sulfate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Arginine-L-malate
Alpha Lipoic Acid
anthocyanin
Acetyl L-Carnitine Arginate
Acetyl-l-glutathione
Agmatine Silicate
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate
anthocyanosides
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Apocynin
Arginine
Arginine silicate
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Benfotiamine
Beta Hydroxybutyrate
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
bilberry
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Biotin
bacoside
Bacosides
Bacosine
Beet nitrate
Carbon Dioxide
Carnosine
Carnitine Silicate
Coenzyme A
Cordycepic acids
Creatine nitrate
Citrulline
Calcium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Catecholamine
Coenzyme Q-10
Citrulline nitrate
Coenzyme Q10
Carnitine
Coenzyme Q-10
Citrulline malate
Creatine Pyruvate
Carnitine Orotate
CoQ10
Carbon dioxide
Dibencozide
Diiodothyronine
Delphinidin
Dihydrolipoic Acid
Dioscorea nipponica
DMG (Dimethylglycine)
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
epicatechin
flavan-3-ols
Fish
Fish Oil
Flavanols
flavanols (various)
Ginkgo Flavonglycosides
Gamma-Glutamylcysteine
Glycophospholipid
Glutathione peroxidase
Glycine propionyl-l-carnitine
Ginkgo Flavone Glycoside
Ginkgoheteroside
Ginkgo
Gerovital H3
Glycine
Glutathione
Ginkgo Falvone Glycoside
Ginkgolide C
Ginsenosides
Histidine
Hesperidin
Hexacosanol
Hydrogen
Hericium mushroom
Idebenone
L-Gluthathione
L-Carnitine
L-Citrulline
L-Arginine
L-Taurine
L-Carnitine
Lipoic Acid
MCT / Medium Chain Triglycerides
Monounsaturated fatty acid (unspecified)
Methylcobalamin
Magnesium Creatine
Myelin sheath
Mitoquinone mesylate
Marine oil (unspecified)
Methylcobalamin Dicalcium Phosphate
Magnesium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Magnesium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Magnesium Taurinate
Nitric Oxide
N-Acetyl Cysteine
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
Nordihydrocapsaicin
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
Nitrates
Nervonic acid
Nerve growth factor
N-acetyl methionine
Nitrate
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Nitrate
Nitrate (unspecified)
Omega Blend
Omega-3
Pyritinol
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Phosphataidyl ethanolamine
phosphatidyl inositol
Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt
Pangamic Acid
Phospholipid (unspecified)
Potassium aspartate-citrate
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
Polyunsaturated Fat
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
Proanthocyanidin
Potassium Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Phthalides
Polyunsaturated fatty acid
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pycnogenol
Phycocyanins
Potassium taurate
Quercetin
Ribose-l-cysteine
Riboflavin
Ribose
Ribose
Serine
Seleno Methionine
Sodium Nitrate
Schizochytrium
Selenium
Sodium nitrate
Tanshinone
Taurine
Triacetyluridine
Thiamin
Taurine
Uridine monophosphate
Unsaturated fatty acid
Vitamin B12
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine HCl)
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B12 (cyanacobalamin)
Vitamin B6 (pridoxal 5-phosphate)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin B1 (benfotiamine)
Vitamin B6 (Mixed)
Vitamin B3 (Inositol Hexanicotinate)
Vitamin E
Vitamin B1 (Prosultiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamin pyrophosphate)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine diphosphate)
Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide)
Vitamin E (beta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols
Vitamin E (tocopheryl succinate)
Vitamin E (tocotrienol unspecified)
Vitamin E (beta tocopherol)
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Vitamin B12 (adenosylcobalamin)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E (mixed)
Vitamin B1 (fursultiamine)
Vitamin B12 (deoxyadenosylcobalamin)
Vitamin E (beta and delta tocopherols)
Vitamin E (beta-tocopherol)
Vitamin E (tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (gamma tocopherol)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B1 (unspecified)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate)
Vitamin E (alpha tocotrienol)
Vitamin B1 (mixed)
Vitamin E (tocopherol not specified)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine HCl)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
Vitamin E (delta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols/tocotrienols)
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate)
Vitamin B3 (various)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B3 (Nicotinamide riboside)
Vitamin B3 (mixed)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine monohydrate)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine disulfide)
Vitamin B1 (Sulbutiamine)
Vitamin B1 (thiamin disulfide)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B12 (5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin)
Vitamin E (tocofersolan)
Vitamine E (mixed tocotrienols)
Zinc lipoic acid