| |  | | Herbs to Help a Torn Ligament
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: March 24, 2001
I have a lot of trouble with a torn ligament in my right hip and have not been able to find the best herb to be taking for it. Could you please give me a suggestion?
Ligaments heal slowly because they are not well supplied with blood vessels. Rest is important.
Herbs can be used both externally and internally to improve the supply of healing blood to the area:
Capsicum, ginger or hot peppers: internally these improve circulation. According to your taste, you can add cayenne pepper to your food or drink ginger tea (boil an inch of fresh ginger, chopped, in 2 cups of water,for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1/2 cup four times daily) Externally, a "hot" (cayenne is recommended) oil or cream brings the blood flow to that area. Apply three times daily.
Comfrey: a crushed, whole leaf or a comfrey oil or cream applied to the area is a powerful healer of connective tissue. Use comfrey externally only. Apply 3 times daily.
The herb Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) contains silica, which is a powerful healer of connective tissue. Take 30 drops of Horsetail tincture, three times daily for no longer than a month. If you still need help after a month, take a one week break from the herb and then take for another 4 weeks. Horsetail is high in minerals, and can cause kidney strain if taken continuously. Check the Latin name of the herb on the tincture bottle. Other species can be dangerous to take internally.
A bath of horsetail can be made: take 2 large handfuls of the herb; cover with water and boil in a large non-aluminum pot for 5 minutes; strain; add to bathwater. You can add a few drops of essential oil of Thyme or Rosemary to the bath to stimulate the blood flow to the area.
Anti-inflammatories: there is usually inflammation with torn ligaments. Herbal anti-inflammatories that have a steroid like action include licorice (not to be taken in pregnancy, liver damage, high blood pressure or heart problems), turmeric or ginseng. Turmeric can be taken as Curcumin, 500 mg five times daily. Licorice can be taken as a powder in teas, 1/4 teaspoon per cup of boiling water, three times daily. Take ginseng as recommended on the bottle.
If the ligament is not healing, there may be extensive tears. See your medical professional for advice.
| | |
|
