Tendinitis: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Tendinitis is an inflammatory condition characterized by the degeneration of tendon tissue, typically caused by repetitive strain or overuse, which can lead to pain and stiffness in the affected area.

The causes of tendinitis often involve excessive physical activity, poor posture, or underlying medical conditions such as arthritis or diabetes. If left untreated, tendinitis can negatively impact overall health by causing chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased quality of life. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies such as arnica, turmeric, and ginger can be used to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

However, when using medicinal herbs for tendinitis, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper dosages to avoid interactions with medications or exacerbating the condition.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of tendinitis, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of tendinitis?

The main causes of tendinitis are repetitive strain injuries, overuse, and micro-tears in the tendons, which can be caused by activities that involve repetitive motion, such as throwing, lifting, or bending, especially when proper warm-up and cool-down exercises are not performed.

Age-related wear and tear, as well as genetic predisposition, can also contribute to the development of tendinitis. Poor posture, muscle imbalances, and biomechanical abnormalities can put unnecessary stress on the tendons, increasing the risk of injury. In addition, sudden or explosive movements, such as those experienced in sports, can cause tendinitis.

Furthermore, underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism, can also increase the risk of developing tendinitis.

• Overuse: Overuse of a particular joint or muscle is a common cause of tendinitis as it leads to repetitive strain on the tendons, causing inflammation and damage.
• Poor Posture: Poor posture can cause tendinitis as it puts unnecessary strain on the tendons, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
• Trauma: Trauma to a joint or muscle, such as a sudden fall or blow, can cause tendinitis as it leads to inflammation and damage to the tendons.
• Age: Age is a common cause of tendinitis as the tendons naturally degenerate and become more prone to inflammation and damage with age.
• Poor Footwear: Poorly designed or worn-out footwear can cause tendinitis as it can lead to overuse and strain on the tendons, particularly in the feet and legs.
• Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk of developing tendinitis as they can cause inflammation and damage to the tendons.
• Genetics: Genetics can play a role in the development of tendinitis as some people may be more prone to tendon inflammation and damage due to their genetic makeup.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy or menopause, can cause tendinitis as they can lead to inflammation and damage to the tendons.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin C or zinc, can increase the risk of developing tendinitis as they are essential for maintaining healthy tendons.
• Infections: Certain infections, such as tuberculosis, can cause tendinitis as they can lead to inflammation and damage to the tendons.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for tendinitis?

The main medicinal herbs used for tendinitis are Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Arnica montana, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Achillea millefolium, Boswellia serrata, Ginkgo biloba, Hamamelis virginiana, Urtica dioica, Capsicum annuum.

Curcuma longa contains curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that inhibit NF-kappaB, a protein complex that promotes inflammation and pain. Zingiber officinale or Ginger has anti-inflammatory compounds like gingerol and shogaol, which reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting COX-2 and lipoxygenase enzymes. Arnica montana, a topical application, contains flavonoids and terpenes that reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting phospholipase A2 and COX-2 enzymes.

Other herbs like Boswellia serrata, Achillea millefolium, Ginkgo biloba, Hamamelis virginiana, Urtica dioica, and Capsicum annuum may also be beneficial in reducing inflammation and pain associated with tendinitis due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with tendinitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically curcumin, which inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, reducing inflammation and pain in the affected area.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, aids in tendinitis relief by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory compounds, gingerols and shogaols, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, and also by improving blood circulation to promote healing and reduce stiffness.
• Arnica montana: Arnica montana, or arnica, helps with tendinitis due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, and also by promoting blood circulation to promote healing and reduce stiffness.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, aids in tendinitis relief by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory compounds, glycyrrhetic acid and glycyrrhizin, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, and also by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
• Achillea millefolium: Achillea millefolium, or yarrow, helps with tendinitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically flavonoids and terpenoids, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, reducing inflammation and pain in the affected area.
• Boswellia serrata: Boswellia serrata, or frankincense, aids in tendinitis relief by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory compounds, boswellic acids, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, and also by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba, or ginkgo, helps with tendinitis due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, and also by improving blood circulation to promote healing and reduce stiffness.
• Hamamelis virginiana: Hamamelis virginiana, or witch hazel, aids in tendinitis relief by reducing inflammation and pain through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, and also by promoting blood circulation to promote healing and reduce stiffness.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle, helps with tendinitis due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically flavonoids and terpenoids, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, reducing inflammation and pain in the affected area.
• Capsicum annuum: Capsicum annuum, or cayenne pepper, aids in tendinitis relief by reducing pain and inflammation through its capsaicin, which inhibits the production of substance P, a neurotransmitter that transmits pain signals to the brain, and also by improving blood circulation to promote healing and reduce stiffness.

What are the main herbal preparations used for tendinitis?

The main herbal preparations used for tendinitis are Creams, Tinctures, Decoctions, Ointments, Capsules, Salves, Gels, Poultices, Suppository, Tea.

Creams containing arnica montana, capsaicin, and methyl salicylate reduce pain and inflammation by blocking pain receptors and reducing prostaglandins. Tinctures of willow bark and ginger are used as anti-inflammatory agents, while Decoctions of turmeric and ginger are used to reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes. Capsules of curcumin and boswellia are used to reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting NF-kappaB and COX-2 enzymes, while Salves and Gels of arnica montana and capsaicin are used to reduce pain and inflammation by blocking pain receptors.

Poultices of arnica montana and willow bark are used to reduce inflammation and pain, while Suppository of capsaicin is used to reduce pain in the affected area, and Tea of turmeric and ginger is used to reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes.

• Creams: Creams containing anti-inflammatory compounds such as Salix alba extracts help with tendinitis by reducing pain and swelling due to their topical application and absorption into the affected area.
• Tinctures: Tinctures made from plants like Harpagophytum procumbens, also known as devil's claw, are effective in treating tendinitis as they contain iridoid glycosides that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.
• Decoctions: Decoctions of plants like Boswellia serrata help with tendinitis as they contain boswellic acids that have potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, thereby reducing pain and inflammation in the affected area.
• Ointments: Ointments containing anti-inflammatory compounds like methyl salicylate from plants like Spiraea spp. help with tendinitis by reducing pain and inflammation due to their topical application and absorption into the affected area.
• Capsules: Capsules containing standardized extracts of plants like Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, help with tendinitis as they contain curcuminoids that exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
• Salves: Salves made from plants like Calendula officinalis help with tendinitis as they contain triterpene esters that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, thereby reducing pain and inflammation in the affected area.
• Gels: Gels containing anti-inflammatory compounds like Mentha piperita extracts help with tendinitis by reducing pain and inflammation due to their topical application and absorption into the affected area.
• Poultices: Poultices made from plants like Arnica montana help with tendinitis as they contain sesquiterpene lactones that exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, thereby reducing pain and inflammation in the affected area.
• Suppository: Suppositories containing anti-inflammatory compounds like Capsicum annuum extracts help with tendinitis by reducing pain and inflammation due to their direct application to the affected area.
• Tea: Teas made from plants like Zingiber officinale help with tendinitis as they contain gingerols that exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, thereby reducing pain and inflammation in the affected area.