Musculoskeletal System Herbal Protocol

SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

Illness/ Disease Definition

From Johns Hopkins Medicine:  “Many activities can lead to soft-tissue damage of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The result can be pain, swelling, bruising, and damage. Soft-tissue injuries are classified as the following:

• Contusions (bruises)
• Sprains
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Stress injuries
• Strains

Athletes and non-athletes share many similar soft-tissue injuries.”

Etymology & Etiology

• Ligament – A fibrous, elastic band of tissue that connects and stabilizes the bones
• Tendon – A flexible band of tissue that connects muscle to bones.
• Bursa – A fluid filled sac that provides cushion between bones and tendons or muscles.
• Contusions (bruises) – A soft tissue injury resulting in swelling, pain, & discoloration; typically caused by blunt force trauma, such as a blow, fall, or kick. 
• Sprains – A partial tear to a ligament typically caused by a twist or wrench.  
• Tendonitis – Inflammation of a tendon typically due to overuse or repetitive motion
• Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa typically caused by overuse or direct trauma to a joint.
• Stress injuries – A small crack in a bone (usually in lower extremities) typically caused by an increase in physical activity and overuse
• Strains – Injuries to tendons or muscles typically caused by stretching, force, or overuse.

Allopathic Treatments:

• Over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers and/or muscle relaxants

Actions needed:  Analgesic/Anodyne, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Antispasmodic, Connective Tissue Tonic, Circulatory Stimulant/Rubefacient

HERB	ACTIONS
ARNICA Arnica Montana	Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Immunostimulant, Stimulant, Vulnerary
COMFREY Symphytum officinale	Anodyne, Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Vulnerary
MULLEIN Verbascum thapsus	Anodyne, Antibiotic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Narcotic, Nutritive, Pectoral, Vulnerary
PLANTAIN Plantago major	Alterative, Antacid, Antibacterial, Anticatarrhal, Antihistamine, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Astringent, Demulcent, Deobstruant, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Laxative, Refrigerant, Tonic  (Connective Tissues), Vulnerary
PEPPERMINT OIL Mentha piperita	Analgesic, Anesthetic, Anodyne, Antibacterial, Anti-emetic, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Anti-ulcer, Aphrodisiac, Aromatic, Calmative, Carminative, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Refrigerant, Rubefacient, Stomachic, Tonic
ROSEMARY OIL Rosmarinus officinalis	Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Antirheumatic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Carminative, Cholagogue, Emmenagogue, Rubefacient, Stimulant (Circulatory & Liver), Stomachic
ST. JOHN’S WORT OIL Hypericum perforatum	Analgesic, Anti-depressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Expectorant, Nervine Relaxant, Tonic (Nervine), Vulnerary
SOLOMON’S SEAL OIL Polygonatum multiflorum	Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Demulcent, Emetic, Steroidal, Tonic
BLACK COHOSH Cimicifuga racemosa	Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Tonic (Connective Tissue & Uterine)
PRICKLY ASH Zanthoxylum americanum	Alterative, Anodyne, Antirheumatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Hepatic, Irritant, Peripheral Vasodilator, Rubefacient, Stimulant (Circulatory), Tonic
TURMERIC Curcuma longa	Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Bitter, Carminative, Hepatoprotective
VALERIAN Valeriana officinalis	Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Calmative, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Hypnotic (Strong Musculoskeletal), Hypotensive, Nervine, Relaxant, Sedative, Stomachic
YARROW Achillea millefolium	Anti-hemorrhagic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Bitter, Carminative, Choleretic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hemostatic, Hepatic, Hypotensive, Peripheral Vasodilator, Styptic, Tonic (Vascular), Vulnerary

Formulas:

• Herbal salve (use separately or any combination of): Arnica, Comfrey, Mullein, Plantain
• Oils for External Use (use separately or any combination of): Peppermint Oil, Rosemary Oil, St. John’s Wort Oil, Solomon’s Seal Oil
• Tincture for Internal or External Use: Black Cohosh, Prickly Ash, Turmeric, Valerian, Yarrow
• Arnica cream & St. John’s Wort Oil mixed together and applied topically. Turmeric supplement in capsule form.

Contra-indications:

• Arnica- Potentially toxic if taken internally. Do not use on broken skin or open wounds. Do not use if pregnant. Keep out of children’s reach.
• Black Cohosh- Do not use if pregnant – may cause miscarriage. Use with caution if you are taking medications to lower blood pressure.
• Comfrey- Do not take internally. Do not use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give to young children. Limit external application of mature leaves to intact skin to 10 days.
• Peppermint- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give to children under 5. Do not take essential oil internally.
• Plantain- Do not use while taking the following medications: digoxin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, Lithobid, or Tegretol. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Use caution if you are allergic to weed pollens. Avoid if you’ve had intestinal obstruction.
• Prickly Ash- Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant. Do not use while taking Antabuse, aspirin or other drugs containing salicylates, or blood thinners.
• Rosemary- Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant. Excessive amounts taken internally may cause poisoning.
• St. John’s Wort- May reduce the half life of some medications.  Please check all drug interactions. Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Solomon’s Seal- Do not take internally except under professional advice. The aerial parts, especially the berries are harmful if eaten.
• Turmeric- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding; may cause miscarriage. Do not use if you have a bleeding disorder, bile duct obstruction, or stomach ulcer. Do not use if taking blood thinners, immuno-suppressant drugs, or NSAIDs.
• Valerian-  Large doses may cause liver damage- do not use if you have liver disease.  Do not use if taking Antabuse or CNS Depressants or alcohol.  Avoid use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Yarrow- Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding.   Long term use can lead to photosensitivity and rashes.  Use with caution if you’re drinking alcohol, taking CNS depressants, Antabuse, blood thinners,  or drugs that lower blood pressure.

Recommendations:

• R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate)
• Epsom salt soaks.

References & Resources:

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve.

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH

Foundations of Medicinal Herbalism, Teresa Boardwine RH.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/softtissue-injuries

Medical Herbalism, David Hoffman, FNIMH

The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines, Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. & Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.

The Herb Book, John Lust.

The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, Daniel B, Mowrey, Ph.D.