** 1. Hydrocodone is a prescription painkiller from the opiate family and is prescribed to relieve mild to moderate pain. 2. There are a number of herbal alternatives to hydrocodone. Some produce painkilling effects closely comparable to the drug: . Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is hydrocodone s closest herbal relative. [While not an opiate itself, kratom is a mu-opioid agonist that affects the same brain receptors as opiates such as hydrocodone. Effects include increased pain tolerance, improved mood and feelings of intoxication] PS. of you choose to use kratom, you should do so with extreme caution and only under a doctor s supervision. . Willow Bark:It contains salicylin, the same active compound as aspirin. . Cayenne: triggers the release of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals that produce effects similar to those of hydrocodone and other opiates, including improved mood and increased pain tolerance. .Valerian Root: Tagar in Ayurveda, referred to as nature s Valium, is a wildly popular herbal supplement in the U.S. In addition to its calming effects, valerian root is a mild muscle relaxant and may reduce spasms that cause certain types of pain