Bursitis is a condition, either acute or chronic, in which there is inflammation of a bursa in your body. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac located between your tendons and skin or your tendons and bone. Bursitis is a common ailment, and it usually responds to natural, conservative therapies. Before using herbal remedies to treat your bursitis, ask a qualified health care professional about proper dosage and likely side effects.
Bursitis Information
In most cases, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center, bursitis develops in your larger joints, such as your shoulders, hips, knees and elbows. Bursitis is commonly caused by repetitive motion, especially repetitive motions involving dysfunctional movement patterns. Although bursitis usually resolves with treatment, it may come back one or more times. Common indications that you have bursitis include joint pain and tenderness around your joint, stiffness in your affected joint, and joint redness and swelling.
Herbal Therapy
Herbal medicine has been used for many years to help treat bursitis. Herbs that help reduce inflammation are especially helpful in treating this condition. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher and certified nutritional consultant, touts boswellia, white willow bark, bromelain and meadowsweet as four of the best herbs for reducing bursitis-related inflammation. Other beneficial herbs in reducing inflammation in your body include turmeric, cayenne and wintergreen oil.
A Powerful Herb
Turmeric is a powerful herb in the treatment of bursitis. According to master herbalist Ed Smith, author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," turmeric possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action and is helpful in treating various inflammatory conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems. The rhizomes of the turmeric plant, notes the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, can be taken orally or made into a paste and applied topically on the affected area.
Disclaimer
Herbal remedies may help treat your bursitis, but you may experience optimal healing effects by combining several therapies. If you experience the symptoms associated with bursitis, schedule an appointment with your physician or a musculoskeletal specialist to have your condition evaluated. A qualified health care professional -- especially a naturopathic physician or a botanically trained medical doctor -- can make relevant treatment recommendations and counsel you on which herbs to avoid and which herbs may be helpful.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Bursitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bursitis
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
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