Certain herbs may be helpful for your postoperative knee recovery. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, knee surgery usually causes swelling in the affected area and can cause difficulty with bearing weight on the affected side. Taking herbs after you have had knee surgery may help speed your healing process and recovery. Before taking herbs for your knee recovery, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Arnica
Arnica, or Arnica montana, is an herb that may be helpful for recovering from your knee surgery. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, arnica has been used topically to help treat many musculoskeletal problems, including osteoarthritis, pain, bruises, inflammation and postoperative swelling. Arnica is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows in the temperate regions of western North America and belongs to the Aster family. Arnica has a flowery taste and grows to a maximum height of about 2 feet. The fresh whole plant is used for medicinal purposes, including postoperative knee recovery. Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that arnica is used as a salve that can be applied to your body to help reduce swelling and speed recovery. If you are pregnant, you should avoid using this herb.
Comfrey
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that comfrey, or Symphytum officinalis, is used topically to help treat contusions, sprains, dislocations, wounds, burns and ulcers. Comfrey, notes Tilgner, helps decrease healing time for skin wounds, including skin wounds associated with knee surgery. Comfrey also acts as a mild analgesic, or a substance that helps reduce your pain. Comfrey is a perennial shrub native to Europe and certain parts of Asia. This herb belongs to the Borage family, has a bland taste, possesses cooling and moistening tendencies and thrives in moist soil. Practitioners of herbal medicine use the root of the plant medicinally. Tilgner cautions that you should not use this herb internally, and that you should avoid using comfrey if you are pregnant or are a nursing mother.
Turmeric
Turmeric, a member of the Ginger family, is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows throughout the tropical regions of South Asia. Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, has a bitter, pungent taste, possesses stimulating and cooling tendencies and requires significant rainfall and warm temperatures to thrive. The rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. According to Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," turmeric is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that is used topically to help treat bacterial and fungal infections. Because of its potent anti-inflammatory action, turmeric may be helpful for postoperative swelling and inflammation in your knee. Turmeric may also be used to help treat arthritis, asthma, eczema and psoriasis. Due to its ability to stimulate your uterus, turmeric should be avoided if you are pregnant.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Knee Arthroscopy
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Arnica
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
