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10 Best Home Remedies For Bursitis (Swelling of Bursa)

Bursitis is a painful condition that gets worse as it progresses. It is caused by repetitive movements of any sort (using hands or legs or head) and the more you try to work-out the worse the pain gets. Bursitis is the result of severe inflammation when the bursa or fluid-filled sacs contained in the body are used repeatedly and give in to the strain and get inflamed.

These fluid-filled sacs are meant to buffer the joints as and when they move, however straining them too much results in Bursitis. Often, the affected joint tends to become stiff, and aches and the pain becomes worse when pressure is put on the point.

Causes & Symptoms

  • Causes: Repetitive motions or positions, lifting heavy weights, leaning heavily on the elbows, kneeling down for a long time etc.
  • Symptoms: Ache and stiffness in the affected joints, pain caused by movement, swelling and redness.

While Bursitis is not a very debilitating condition it can be very painful and irritating. There are several quick and easy home remedies for Bursitis, and here are the list,

Best Home Remedies For Bursitis

10. Castor Oil

best home remedies for Bursitis

  • Heat 2 tablespoons of castor oil mildly in a small pan and apply on the painful areas.
  • Gently massage the affected areas with castor oil for 10 minutes.
  • Apply some more castor oil and bandage with a gauze. Let it sit for a couple of hours.
  • Wash with warm water and mild detergent. Repeat the process twice or thrice daily for a week.

Castor oil has excellent pain relieving qualities due to its anti-inflammatory property. It has been used in traditional as well as folk medicine for ages for curing muscle pain and chronic stomach aches successfully

. Giving heat fomentation over the gauze covered painful areas tends to give immense relief from the pain caused by Bursitis in the affected joints. Avoid unnecessary strain to the affected areas for a few days. Castor oil is one of the best home remedies for Bursitis.

Castor oil does not cause any known side effects when applied topically on the skin. However, unrefined castor oil has a strong odor which can be repelling to others.

9. Cayenne Pepper + Apple Cider Vinegar Heat Foment

  • Take 3-4 tablespoons of Apple cider vinegar
  • Take a teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper Powder
  • Add both to a liter of water and heat the mixture
  • Take a small towel and dip and give fomentation
  • Continue the process 2 to 3 times daily for a week

Apple cider vinegar and Cayenne pepper have some amazing medicinal properties. Apple cider vinegar is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and also has antioxidant properties that help boost the immune system and helps get relief from the swelling and pain caused by Bursitis. Cayenne pepper has been used for getting pain relief as it blocks the nerves that carry the pain sensing messages to the brain and help in getting relief from the pain. Apple cider vinegar and Cayenne pepper together make an excellent home remedy for Bursitis.

Apple cider vinegar does not cause any known side effects when applied topically or used for heat compress. Cayenne pepper also does not cause any side effects.

8. Potatoes

  • Take a large raw potato
  • Wash and grate the potato
  • Take a glass of water in a bowl and soak the grated potato overnight
  • Strain the water next morning and drink it on an empty stomach
  • Alternatively, boil a couple of potatoes
  • Mash the boiled potatoes and apply as a poultice
  • Continue the process for a week or 10 days

Potatoes are known to have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and help get relief from the ache in the joints caused by Bursitis. Applying steamed, mashed potatoes as a hot poultice has a soothing effect on the painful areas and offers relief. Apply gauze on the poultice and let it sit for a couple of hours. The treatment may be repeated a couple of times daily over a period of one week or 10 days. Potatoes make a great remedy for Bursitis and offer great relief from the pain.

Consuming the water soaked in grated potato or using steamed potato mash as a hot poultice do not cause any known side effects and are quite safe.

7. Ginger Tea

  • Take a couple of fingers of fresh ginger
  • Wash, peel and grate the ginger
  • Boil 2 glasses of water in a bowl
  • Add the grated ginger and allow it to steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and add a teaspoon of honey and drink
  • Continue the process twice daily for a week or 10 days

Ginger is a herb that has some amazing medicinal properties. It is an excellent natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce the swelling and gives relief from the pain. Ginger tea enhances the blood circulation and ensures fresh blood flows through the affected areas. Ginger also helps boost the immune system and helps fight fatigue and pain. Ginger is an excellent natural home treatment for Bursitis.

Ginger does not cause any known side effects and is quite safe to use. However, people with peptic ulcer may find that ginger causes irritation and a burning sensation.

6. White Willow Bark

best home remedies for Bursitis

  • Take a teaspoon of White Willow Bark powder
  • Boil 2 glasses of water in a bowl
  • Add the White Willow Bark Powder
  • Allow it to steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and add teaspoon of pure honey
  • Drink this concoction twice daily for a week

 

White Willow Bark, also known as Crack Willow, Basket Willow, Black Willow or Brittle Willow is a medicinal bark that has been used for ages as folk medicine for treating various aches and pains. It works the way Aspirin works to relieve pain and is a natural salicylate that gives instant relief from the pain caused by Bursitis. It is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and an antioxidant as well. White Willow Bark is an excellent home treatment for Bursitis.

White Willow Bark does not cause any adverse side effects when consumed in small quantities for a short period of time. When taken continuously over a period it can cause stomach upsets, and may also cause allergies and skin rashes.

5. Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)

  • Take one or two teaspoons of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (70%)
  • Take a few balls of surgical cotton
  • Dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply on the affected parts
  • Apply this remedy thrice daily for a week or 10 days

Dimethyl Sulfoxide commonly known as DMSO is a wood based chemical compound that is used as a commercial solvent. However, it has some great medicinal properties and has the power to penetrate membranes and ease the pain. It has been used extensively as a topical analgesic and is mixed in 70:30 proportion of DMSO and water. Higher concentrations do not penetrate the membrane, and the ideal strength is between 70 and 90 percent. Dimethyl Sulfoxide is one of the best home remedies for Bursitis.

While Dimethyl Sulfoxide does not cause any major side effects, it may also cause skin reactions, dryness of the skin, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. It is safer to use it as a topical application.

4. Boswellia Serrata

  • Take half a teaspoon of Boswellia Serrata Gum extract powder
  • Boil a glass of water in small bowl
  • Add the Boswellia Serrata gum extract powder
  • Allow the mixture to cool
  • Drink this daily for a week or 10 days

Boswellia Serrata, which is also known as Frankincense is an aromatic medicinal tree and the extract is made from the gum of this tree. It is used extensively in the Ayurvedic system of medication and in Chinese medicine as well. The extract contains boswellic acids which inhibit the inflammatory enzyme 5-Lipoxygenase. The remedy also has other anti-inflammatory properties that have been effective in treating osteoarthritis. Boswellia Serrata is one of the essential natural home remedies for Bursitis

Boswellia Serrata does not cause any major side effects when consumed over a short period of time. Prolonged use may result in upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea.

3. Horseradish Poultice

  • Take one or two roots of fresh Horseradish
  • Wash, peel and grate the Horseradish
  • Sprinkle some water and grind to a paste
  • Apply the paste on the affected areas
  • Place a gauze and bandage it
  • Let it sit for a couple of hours
  • Continue the process twice daily for a week or 10 days

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is an excellent herbal medicine that gives great relief from the pain caused by Bursitis. When consumed internally it helps boost the immune system. Horseradish poultice has been used successfully in treating arthritis and joint pain. It is an excellent antibacterial, antiscorbutic and an effective anti-inflammatory agent as well. It is rich in Vitamin C, sinigrin, asparagines and resin. Horseradish is one of the best natural home remedies for Bursitis.

Horseradish does not cause any adverse side effects when used for a short term. Prolonged use may cause skin irritation and formation of blisters. People on medication for thyroid should avoid this remedy.

2. Meadowsweet

  • Take a teaspoon of dried Meadowsweet leaves
  • Boil a glass of water in a small bowl
  • Add the Meadowsweet leaves and allow it to steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and drink the tea while it is hot
  • Continue the process daily for a week or 10 day

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), also known as Bridewort, Queen of the Meadow, Quaker Lady etc is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb that has been used extensively for treating arthritis and other similar aches and pains. The salycilic acid, flavones glycosides and tannins along with other essential oils found in Meadowsweet help in giving relief from the pain caused by Bursitis. Meadowsweet is one of the home remedies for Bursitis.

While Meadowsweet does not cause any major side effects, it is not safe to administer this remedy to children below the age of 16 suffering from high fever as it may cause Reyes Syndrome.

1. Licorice Tea

  • Take a teaspoon of Licorice Leaves
  • Boil a glass of water in a small bowl
  • Add the Licorice leaves
  • Allow it to steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and add a teaspoon of pure honey
  • Drink this tea daily for a week or 10 days

Licorice, also known as Alcacuz, Can Cao, Chinese Licorice and Glycyrrhiza glabra is an amazing medicinal herb native to the Mediterranean region and Russia. It is used as medicine in Asia extensively. It is the Glycyrrhizic acid content in this herb that gives it the pain killing property. Licorice has anti-inflammatory properties and is an excellent antioxidant as well. Licorice tea is one of the best home remedies for Bursitis.

Licorice tea does not cause any major side effects or harm when consumed in small quantities over a short period of time. However, it is not safe for people under medication for hypertension.

See a doctor immediately if:

  • The pain becomes severe and does not subside with medication
  • If the swelling and stiffness restrict all movement
  • If there is too much fatigue and you feel too weak and tired

 

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