Age and certain injuries can hinder efficient repair of damage to soft tissues including tendons that attach muscles to bones, ligaments that hold bones and tendons in place and fascia that help guide muscle groups and allow them to slide over other structures. What they all have in common is they predominantly comprise collagen and several herbs can eliminate inflammation and pain and help speed the healing process.

Arnica montana is an herb that may assist the healing process by breaking up micro clots in damaged tissues through enzymatic action. Arnica also contains prostaglandin-blockers that relieve pain. According to Terry Willard, Ph.D., a leading clinical herbalist and author of Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Rocky Mountains and Neighbouring Territories, when arnica is combined with the natural salix of white willow bark, the pain relief is great.

Applying comfrey and plantain for four to six weeks should generate complete repair to soft tissues. This is because they contain allantoin, which stimulates collagenproducing cells called fibroblasts, notes Andrew Chevallier, a fellow of the National Institute of Medicinal Herbalists, in the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.

In The Complete Medicinal Herbal: A Practical Guide to the Healing Properties of Herbs, with More Than 250 Remedies for Common Ailments, medical herbalist Penelope Ody writes that when applied to tissues, rosemary and thyme increase circulation and witch hazel increases flexibility. Increased circulation delivers more nutrients needed by the cells that are rebuilding.

Combining these herbs—arnica, comfrey, plantain, rosemary, thyme and witch hazel—with a little peppermint leaf for soothing makes a powerful blend to reduce recovery time and heal damaged tendons, ligaments and fascia. The herbs can be decocted in water or blended into a gel for easy application.

Primary source: Steve Frank, founder and managing partner, Nature’s Rite LLC. For more information, email [email protected] or visit MyNaturesRite.com/blog.