Herbal Remedy for Torn Tendons

Tendons are an important type of ligament that connection the muscle system to the skeletal system. They are made of specialized cells that form strong bits of tissue. Tendons are used to withstand movement of all kinds, but they can be damaged, especially at the joints. Small tears in the tendons are known as tendonitis, which can be a painful condition and requires a long recovery period to heal from. If tendons tear completely, surgery is usually required to fix them.

Basic Remedies

• A torn tendon needs rest and immobility to fully heal, so using braces or crutches or a combination of the two is a very good idea. The traditional practice of rest, ice, compression and elevation is applicable to tendon tears. Tendons are located deeper down to the bone than muscles, and take longer to heal, but the same types of care will prevent more damage and encourage healing.

  Like muscle injuries, a torn tendon will cause inflammation and pain in the surrounding area. Most of the herbal injury remedies you find will treat this pain and inflammation. While decreasing the inflammation can help you heal faster, the healing itself is done by the body, so the most important components of any remedy will remain rest and care of the injured area.

Herbal Choices for Recovery

• Several herbs work for treating tendon injuries. One of the most popular is arnica, which has been shown to increase the production of white blood cells and the reduction of inflammation and other pain problems in the affected area. You can buy arnica in both pill and oil form.

  Rue is also a popular herbal treatment for muscle and tendon tears. This aromatic herb has pungent oils that can act as anti-inflammatories and disinfectants when applied to the wounded area. Butcher's bloom is an additional option: this herb, also known as Pettigree and Sweet Broom, can improve blood circulation and relieve some of the build-up of fluids that may have occurred. Comfrey oil has also been shown to relieve the pain associated with torn muscles and encourage faster healing of the damaged tissues.