Home remedies for bursitis include usage of mullein tea, chamomile, skullcap and hops, lobelia oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, ginger, alfa alfa, castor oil, sesame oil, olive oil, lavender oil, potato, sandalwood, cayenne pepper, vitamin E oil, emu oil etc in different forms. Even stretching exercises are a good home based cure for this ailment. Bursitis refers to an inflammation of bursa or joints. This is due to bruising, continuous rubbing, overuse or excessive pressure over the bursa. It may also be the result of gout, arthritis or any kind of infection. It mostly affects hips, knees, ankles, elbow, toe and shoulders. Usually those undergoing lot of physical stress are the victims. The patient experiences swelling, restricted movement and pain while motion. The condition can be cured by simple and easy to perform home remedies for bursitis, but if the pain persists medical guidance should be sought.

Home remedies for bursitis can effectively treat this problem, which is related to inflammation of joints. Many people mistake it with arthritis. Bursitis can affect almost any joint and the list includes not only knees but also hip, ankle, heel, elbow or shoulder. There are over 150 bursa sacs present in a human body and inflammation in any of them gives unbearable pain. It is sometimes referred to as Baker’s Cyst or Housemaid’s Knee. Bursa is a sac that contains fluid which aids in lubrication of joints thereby protecting ligaments, muscles, tendons and skin while rubbing against bone.

Bursitis occurs due to continuous rubbing, bruising, overuse or excessive pressure over the bursa. It may also be caused due to gout, arthritis or any severe kind of infection. The mechanical shear caused due to these factors aggravate due to routine physical activity. It is therefore better to start the cure as soon as the symptoms are noticed.

It not only affects individuals in their old age, but also the teens, athletes or those who undergo a lot of physical labour and are active in their regular life.

Bursitis is characterized by following symptoms:

• Pain in the affected region
• Swelling
• Warmth is felt when touched
• Prominent pain while moving body parts
• Difficulty in movement
• Higher pain during morning and night and less during day

Home remedies for bursitis are easy and are mentioned as under:

• Mullein Tea: Prepare mullein tea and soak a clean cloth in the preparation. This is to be applied over the affected region regularly. This decreases inflammation and pain.
• Chamomile, Skullcap and Hops: Tea prepared of chamomile, skullcap and hops can be used for application over the paining area. This results in early healing of bursitis.
• Lobelia Oil: A traditional herb, lobelia can also be used for treatment of bursitis. The oil obtained from lobelia can be applied on the inflamed region to get relief.
• Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar: Make a mixture of two teaspoonfuls each of honey and apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Drink it once a day till relief is observed in bursitis pain.
• Ginger: Peel off ginger and grate it. Make a poultice of ginger and apply it over the bursitis affected area. Ginger can also be taken directly on a routine basis to treat the condition.
• Alfa Alfa: Alfa alfa is known to recuperate the inflamed bones and should therefore find way in daily routine. They are rich sources of minerals and thus good home remedy for bursitis.
• Castor Oil: As per the Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies, castor oil can be applied over the inflamed regions to calm pain. It is one of the simplest known home remedies for treating bursitis.
• Sesame Oil or Olive Oil: Slightly warm olive oil or sesame oil can be massaged over the affected area using fingers. Cover this area with a cotton cloth to keep it warm. This relieves the pain and reduces swelling as well.
• Lavender Oil: Put a few drops of lavender oil in bath tub before taking bath. This gives relief to the joints.
• Potato: Grate some potatoes and soak them in a cup of water overnight. This is to be strained the next morning and consumed empty stomach.
• Sandalwood: Make a paste of sandalwood by mixing a teaspoonful of it in water. This should be applied over joints which will calm the pain.
• Cayenne Pepper and Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix some pepper in apple cider vinegar and boil the mixture along with water. Soak a cloth in the decoction and apply it externally over the bursitis region. This will give you relief and is a known home remedy for bursitis.
• Vitamin E Oil: Oils containing Vitamin E can be applied to bursitis affected area in order to increase the movement of the joints.
• Emu Oil: Emu oil is known for its high linoleic content which in turn has wonderful anti inflammatory property, required to cure bursitis. Emu oil is obtained from a bird native of Australia, known as Emu. Small amount of emu oil can be applied over the area with gentle movement.
• Ice Pack: Take a cube of ice and cover it with a cotton cloth. According to KidsHealth, ice pack can be applied over affected region and is believed to provide relief in inflammation. The treatment should not exceed 20 minutes.
• Stretching Exercise and Yoga: It is known that stretching exercises aid in relief and provide mobility and flexibility to the joints. Several asana in yoga also aid in providing flexibility to the affected joints.

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References: Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies and KidsHealth