Some herbal remedies may be helpful in supporting your knee replacement surgery. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, your knees can become severely damaged by trauma or degenerative joint disease, which can affect your activities of daily living. In some cases, knee problems may be helped by knee replacement surgery. Consult with your physician about appropriate dosage, potential side effects and possible drug interactions before taking herbal remedies to help speed your postoperative healing.
Chickweed
Chickweed is an herbal remedy that may be helpful for your knee replacement surgery. According to the University of Michigan Health System, chickweed, also known as Stellaria media, contains a significant amount of Vitamin C and flavonoids, which may help to explain its ability to treat skin problems, including skin wounds incurred during knee replacement surgery. Chickweed is a small, flowering plant native to Europe, although it now grows throughout the United States. Chickweed, an edible plant, has a pleasant and fresh taste and has cooling and drying tendencies. The aerial parts of the plant -- leaves, flowers and stems -- are used to make medicine. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice" and a naturopathic physician, states that chickweed is an effective herbal remedy when applied locally to wounds, such as the wounds associated with knee replacement surgery.
Witch Hazel
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth" and a naturopathic physician, states that witch hazel is an astringent, anti-inflammatory and styptic. A styptic is a substance that stops bleeding through its astringent action. An astringent is a substance that causes the contraction of your tissues. Witch hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana, has been used to help treat wounds, local inflammations and passive hemorrhages. Because the tannins present in witch hazel precipitate proteins on your wounds, forming a protective layer and encouraging your skin to heal, this herbal remedy may be useful for postoperative recovery from knee replacement surgery. Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub whose bark is used by practitioners of herbal medicine to help treat many ailments. Witch hazel belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family. The bark of this herbal remedy has an astringent taste and possesses drying and cooling tendencies.
Willow Bark
The bark of the willow tree has been used for centuries in traditional European and Chinese medicine to help treat inflammation, pain and other health problems, states that University of Maryland Medical Center. Willow bark contains an important substance called salicin, which has a chemical structure and function similar to aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid. Salicin is believed to be responsible for this herb's anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. An anti-inflammatory, astringent and analgesic, willow bark may be helpful in your knee replacement postoperative recovery. As a pain reliever, willow bark may be more effective when taken for prolonged periods. Willow bark possesses a bitter and astringent taste and has drying and cooling tendencies. You should avoid taking willow bark if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia. You should also avoid taking this herb if you are taking blood-thinning medication.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Total Knee Replacement
- University of Michigan Health System: Chickweed
- "Plant Medicine in Practice;" William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Willow Bark
