Herbal Treatment for Tendons

Tendinitis occurs when tendons---the flexible, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones---become inflamed. Certain herbs aid the process of recovery for tendinitis by reducing pain and inflammation and nourishing the tendons. Heal this condition with four main herbs: St. John's wort as an oil, wintergreen oil, nettle leaves infusion, oatstraw infusion and Solomon's seal as a tincture.

Oil Rubs

• Wintergreen oil will act as a pain relieving agent in the affected area of the tendons, and St. John's wort oil has anti-inflammatory properties. Mix these two herbal oils to use while massaging the affected area affected. Keep the area as immobile as possible to allow the oils to penetrate the skin and heal the damaged tissue. Wrap the massaged area with a loose bandage to keep it warm.

  Repeat the massage three times daily for a week, and monitor your progress. After the first week, the injured area may only require an oil rub once a day---preferably at night, when tendons will have a chance to rest during sleep.

Tincture

• Solomon's seal makes tight tendons flexible and weak tendons strong. Respected herbalist Mathew Wood describes it as a "sweet nutritive for tendons," making it the best herbal tonic when it comes to healing tendinitis. Take Solomon's seal as a tincture to reap the benefits quickly, since it enters the bloodstream directly, bypassing the digestive system. Drink 10 to 15 drops of tincture mixed into a glass of filtered water, thrice daily.

Infusions

• Nettle leaves and oatstraw both contain minerals necessary for healing injured tendons---in particular, silicon. Silicon gives connective tissue strength and stability, required for rehabilitating tendons and preventing future injuries. Fill a 1-quart jar with boiling water and steep 1 oz. of either herb for four hours or overnight. Strain the herbs and drink throughout day. Alternate days, taking nettle infusion one day and oatstraw infusion the next, using always dry herbs for this method. On top of helping heal tendons, these infusions will nourish the entire body.