Tamarind

• One ancient remedy for sciatica calls for soaking some tamarind in saltwater. Churn the mixture for a few minutes, then filter out any large specks. Boil what's left until it has the consistency of a paste. Let the paste cool down until it is comfortably warm. Apply the paste, gently, to the affected areas.
  
  

Mustard Oil

• Chop up three to four garlic seeds or cloves into small pieces, then mix them with 50 milligrams of mustard oil in a small pot. On a stovetop, heat up the mixture until the garlic gains a reddish color. While the mixture is still hot (but not scalding), apply it to the affected areas for relief.
  
  

Castor Oil

• One herbal remedy calls for the gentle rubbing of castor oil into the affected area. Massage the oil in, gently and slowly, over 30 minutes or so twice a day for a week.
  
  

Wintergreen Tea

• Try drinking wintergreen tea. Wintergreen contains methyl salicylate, a natural pain reliever. It has been used for centuries as an herbal treatment for sciatica. If wintergreen tea isn't working, try wintergreen creams or ointments (available in any herbal store); according to herbalists, absorption through the skin is more effective than absorption through the stomach (see references).