Herbal Remedies For Stenosing Tenosynovitis

Stenosing tenosynovitis, also known as trigger finger, is a condition in which the sheath at the base of your finger becomes thick and constricts the movement of the tendon that helps your finger to bend. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand states that stenosing tenosynovitis often causes swelling and inflammation in your affected finger. Before using herbal remedies to help treat your stenosing tenosynovitis, talk with your doctor about the immediate and long-term health effects associated with herbs.

Stenosing Tenosynovitis

Stenosing tenosynovitis is an often painful condition that may affect your ability to perform your activities of daily living, including work tasks and hobbies that require repetitive gripping actions. Trigger finger, notes MayoClinic.com, is more commonly seen in diabetics and women. Other health problems may also increase your risk for stenosing tenosynovitis, including rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism and tuberculosis. Stenosing tenosynovitis usually occurs in your dominant hand, and it usually affects your thumb or ring and middle fingers.

Appropriate Herbal Remedies

Because the cause of your stenosing tenosynovitis is a mechanical problem in your finger tissues, herbal remedies are unlikely to cure your condition or treat its underlying cause. However, certain herbal remedies may help treat the inflammation and swelling commonly associated with this condition. Appropriate herbal remedies for this condition possess anti-inflammatory properties. Commonly used anti-inflammatory herbs, notes William Mitchell, a naturopath and author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," include feverfew, turmeric, bromelain and white willow.

Herb in Focus

Turmeric may be a particularly helpful herb in treating the swelling and inflammation associated with your stenosing tenosynovitis. Turmeric, reports Mitchell, possesses an active ingredient known as curcumin, which is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that has traditionally been used in treating many types of inflammatory conditions, including joint inflammation, autoimmune diseases and myalgia. Curcumin may also deplete your levels of substance P, which is a neurotransmitter of pain. Talk with your doctor about proper dosage and potential side effects before using this herb for your stenosing tenosynovitis.

Additional Information

Although certain herbs are known to possess anti-inflammatory action and may be helpful in treating the symptoms of stenosing tenosynovitis, few studies have examined the efficacy of this herb for this health purpose. Because of the unknown efficacy of these herbs for this condition, and because some herbs may cause undesired side effects in certain people, you should always visit a health care practitioner trained in herbal medicine to best understand the role of herbs in treating your ailment.