Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your bone fractures. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, fractures, or broken bones, may be caused by traumatic accidents, repetitive stress and certain medical problems, such as decreased bone mineral density. Fractures can be complete or partial. Before taking dietary supplements to help treat your bone fractures, 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 fractures. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, arnica, a member of the Aster family, has been used by Europeans and Native Americans for centuries to help treat numerous health problems, including wounds, inflammation and pain. Arnica is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the temperate regions of western North America and Eurasia and possesses a light and flowery taste. The fresh whole plant or flower heads are used for medicinal purposes, including fracture healing. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that arnica is an anti-inflammatory that helps repair tissue destroyed by traumatic injury or overexertion. Smith cautions that excessive doses of arnica may cause nervous excitement and throat and stomach irritation in some individuals.
Boneset
Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that boneset, also known as Eupatorium perfoliatum, is used to help speed healing of broken bones and as a remedy for colds and influenza. Boneset, a member of the Aster family, promotes and enhances your immune system function, is an antispasmodic and may help broken bones heal faster than immobilization alone. Boneset is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant that grows in the temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Boneset has a nauseatingly bitter taste and possesses cooling and drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the aerial parts of the plant, while in bud, to help treat numerous health problems, including broken bones. Smith cautions that supplements containing large doses of boneset may cause nausea in some individuals.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut, a member of the Hippocastanacea family, is a tree native to Greece, Bulgaria and other countries near the Balkan Peninsula, states that National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, although it now grows throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The seeds and bark of the tree are used medicinally. Horse chestnut, also known as Aesculus hippocastanum, has a bitter and slightly acrid taste. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that horse chestnut is an astringent, anti-exudative, anti-edematous, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. Smith notes that horse chestnut has been used to help treat fractures, bruises, brain trauma, strokes and swelling caused by injury and inflammation. Taking too much horse chestnut may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness and other symptoms in some individuals, cautions Tilgner.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Fractures: An Overview
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Arnica
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
