Iron Neck Or Stiff Shoulder and Neck

Iron Neck is a condition where the muscles in the neck get stiff. There are a number of remedies that can be used that do not include using drugs. One recommendation is a hot wrap with a therapeutic massage. There are also teas that help relax the body. I will discuss some of these and other therapies directly.

Helpful herbs:
Kudzu Passion Flower Valerian

This list is far from being comprehensive; it is just a starting place. Each of these herbs should be used with caution, and under the supervision of a trained herbalist or holistic doctor. I like Kudzu as an herb because it is very prolific. When used as a tea, it will help relieve tension in the neck and shoulders. It primarily targets the muscles in the neck and shoulders. The Chinese refer to Kudzu as Ge-Gen. You can find many references to it in Chinese medicine. Kudzu has many other applications besides loosening the neck and shoulder muscles; one of these uses is being looked at by Harvard Medical as a treatment to reduce alcohol cravings. Kudzu also contains a number of useful isoflavones, including daidzein (an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent), daidzin (a cancer preventative) and genistein (an antileukemic agent).

Caution: As with all medicinal herbs, Kudzu should only be used under the supervision of a qualified Herbalist or Holistic practitioner, especially where coronary concerns are present. The Chinese have used Kudzu Root for Angina (an irregular heart beat) as part of modern medicine. However DO NOT treat yourself for a heart condition; see your doctor.

A word of warning about planting Kudzu in your garden: DON’T. It will take over your garden, house, yard, and in one case I saw the person’s car was covered. Kudzu has been known to grow at a rate of 1 foot a day up to 60 feet in a single growing season. Once it is established there is no way to get rid of it. It thrives on some herbicides. There are many commercial herbal mixtures and powders available, so you do not need to grow your own.

Passion flower tea is great for relaxation. You can get many commercial preparations of this as a tea at you local health food store or co-op. passion flower tea is most commonly used for its ability to calm the central nervous system. Like benzodiazepines and other herbs, the passion flower increases the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. It decreases the activity of nerve cells in the brain, causing relaxation. It is helpful for anxiety and insomnia because of its calming effect. Chemicals known as harmala alkaloids, used to block an enzyme involved in depression, are also apparent in the passion flower. It is effective in increasing the activity of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin for increasing mood stability by blocking monoamine oxidase.

Passion flower tea is great for relieving pain and muscle spasms. Take a