Herbal Remedies For Elbow Tendonitis

Tendinitis is one of the most common musculoskeletal health problems, especially among athletes and workers performing repetitive tasks. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases states that tendinitis is an inflammation of your tendons, usually caused by excessive strain. Tendinitis can affect many parts of your body. Herbal remedies for tendinitis, including elbow tendinitis, may be helpful, but you should first ask your doctor about possible side effects and other risks associated with herbs.

Elbow Tendinitis

Tendinitis is found most commonly in your shoulders, hips, elbows, hamstrings and Achilles tendons. The Sports Injury Bulletin website states that elbow tendinitis is a common condition, especially among competitive and recreational athletes, but that it has a good prognosis when you pursue appropriate care. Elbow tendinitis, also known as lateral epicondylitis, causes pain or discomfort at the attachment point of the common tendon of your forearm extensor muscle group. Elbow tendinitis can usually be treated with complementary alternative therapies, including herbal remedies.

Helpful Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies for elbow tendinitis seek to reduce your pain and inflammation, thereby improving your active range of motion and allowing you to perform your typical activities of daily living pain-free. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," certain herbs may help treat both tendinitis and bursitis, a condition closely related to tendinitis. Examples of herbal remedies for elbow tendinitis include boswellia, bromelain, meadowsweet and white willow bark.

A Commonly Used Herb

Boswellia is one of the most commonly used -- and one of the most effective -- herbal remedies for elbow tendinitis. Balch states that boswellia acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. Boswellia is used topically to help decrease your pain, and it has been used for a variety of ailments, including tendinitis, arthritis, gout, lower back pain and fibromyalgia. The gum resin of the boswellia tree is used in herbal preparations. Boswellia is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine.

Recommendations

Herbal remedies for elbow tendinitis may be most effective if they are combined with rest and temporary avoidance of the activity that provoked the tendinitis in the first place. When reintroducing physical activity into your regular daily routine, keep your exercise duration short and your intensity low. Consider pursuing other physical activities that do not cause flare-ups of your condition. Avoid processed foods, especially foods containing any type of sugar, as these can increase the level of inflammation in your body.