Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your tendinitis. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, tendinitis is a common condition in which the soft tissue around your muscles and bones becomes inflamed and painful. Tendinitis usually occurs in your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle. Before taking supplements to help treat your tendinitis, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet, also known as Filipendula ulmaria, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your tendinitis. According to the University of Michigan Health System, meadowsweet, a member of the rose family, has been used to help treat numerous health problems, including muscle and joint pain. Meadowsweet thrives in damp meadows, has a bitter, sweet and astringent taste and possesses cooling and drying tendencies. The flowers and upper aerial parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that meadowsweet is an astringent and anti-inflammatory that is used to help treat tendinitis, ligament sprains, arthritis and muscle pain. Herbal supplements containing meadowsweet may cause allergic hypersensitivity in some individuals.
Comfrey
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that comfrey, also known as Symphytum officinalis, is used externally to help treat numerous health problems, including tendinitis, contusions, hematomas, ligament sprains, dislocations, wounds, burns and skin ulcers. According to Tilgner, comfrey, a member of the Borage family, decreases inflammation of your tendon sheaths, or the covering that surrounds your tendons. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that comfrey may be used externally to help treat musculoskeletal problems. Comfrey is a perennial herb native to Europe, has a nutritious, mucilaginous taste and possesses cooling and moistening tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the leaves or root of the plant for medicinal purposes, including tendinitis treatment.
Turmeric
Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is a perennial plant that grows in the tropical parts of Southern Asia. Turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, has a bitter and pungent taste, possesses cooling and stimulating tendencies and grows to a maximum height of about 6 feet. The rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant is used medicinally. According to Dr. Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "The Healing Power of Herbs," turmeric is used to help treat inflammatory conditions, such as tendinitis. Tilgner states that turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant and vulnerary, or a substance that promotes healing of wounds or irritated tissues. Murray notes that curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory in acute conditions. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you should avoid taking herbal supplements containing turmeric, due to its ability to stimulate your uterus.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Bursitis and Tendinitis
- University of Michigan Health System: Meadowsweet
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice: Using the Teachings of John Bastyr"; William A. Mitchell, Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "The Healing Power of Herbs"; Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 1995
