Certain supplements may be helpful in treating your torn muscle tissue. According to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, torn muscle tissue, or muscle strain, occurs when your muscle or its tendon is overstretched or torn. Muscle strains are graded on a scale of 1 to 3, based on severity. Before taking supplements to help treat your muscle strain, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Arnica
Arnica, also known as Arnica montana, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your muscle strain. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, arnica, a member of the aster family, has been used to help treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including muscle strains, ligament sprains, bruises and fracture-related swelling. Arnica is a perennial plant native to the mountains of Europe and Siberia, although it is now cultivated in North America. Arnica has a light and flowery taste. The fresh or dried flower heads are used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that arnica is an anti-inflammatory that helps tissue recover from traumatic injury or overexertion. Arnica may be toxic when it is used externally on open wounds. Talk with your doctor before using supplements containing arnica.
Cayenne
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that cayenne, also known as Capsicum frutescens, helps increase blood flow to painful and damaged areas of your body, increasing nutrient availability and removing metabolic waste products from the breakdown of damaged muscle cells. Tilgner notes that small doses of cayenne given over a long period of time can cause an anti-inflammatory response, and certain constituents in cayenne, especially capsaicin, can diminish your sensation of pain. Cayenne belongs to the nightshade family and has a sweet, hot and pungent taste. It possesses heating and drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the fresh or dry pods with seeds to help treat numerous health problems, including torn muscle tissue. If you have duodenal ulcers, or ulcers in your small intestine, you should avoid supplements containing cayenne.
Comfrey
Comfrey is a perennial shrub native to Europe and certain parts of Asia. Comfrey, also known as Symphytum officinalis, thrives in damp, grassy locations and on riverbanks and ditches in the United Kingdom. Comfrey belongs to the borage family and has a nutritious, mucilaginous taste. It possesses cooling and moistening tendencies. The leaves and other above-ground parts of the plant are used medicinally to help treat many health problems, including torn muscle tissue. According to Tilgner, comfrey is an anti-inflammatory used to help treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems, including muscle strains, ligament sprains, arthritis, contusions, chronic inflammation and dislocations. Tilgner cautions that, if you are pregnant, you should avoid taking comfrey.
References
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Muscle Strain
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Arnica
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
