Arnica
★★★★☆
Arnica
★★★★★
Arnica Comfrey Tincture
★★★★★
Then I remembered I had some Arnica/Comfrey Tincture. I had him apply it liberally to his toe before bed the next night.
He woke up with significant improvement.
Last night he asked for a comfrey tincture poultice, so I doused a piece of old t shirt with the tincture and wrapped his toe.
This morning he is doing well. Not 100%, but able to wear his boots as the swelling has subsided.
I made that particular tincture in the first place because I want to use it as a base for magnesium oil.
I have been using magnesium oil that has been made with magnesium flakes and vodka instead of magnesium flakes and water since it is less sticky with the vodka. (Thanks for that tip, Art! )
I thought, "Why not make magnesium oil with a vodka that is actually a tincture of herbs that is useful for muscle and joint pain?" I haven't gotten around to making my comfrey/arnica magnesium oil yet, but meanwhile, the comfrey arnica tincture is quite useful!
Here is how I did it:
I filled a mason jar about 1/3 full of dried arnica flowers. Then I added about 1/3 of the jar worth of loosely packed dried comfrey leaves. I poured vodka over the dry herbs to cover plus about an inch and let it sit for 6 weeks. (It may have been much longer, actually. 2 weeks would have been enough, though I think 6 is better.)
I strained out the plant material through a coffee filter and labeled my jar, "arnica/comfrey tincture."
By the way, while many herbal tinctures in vodka are meant for internal use, arnica is not to be taken internally. So this tincture is not for internal use.
~Mama to Many~
Calcium Bentonite Clay
★★★★★
Calcium bentonite clay mud thickly applied and wrapped with plastic wrap is awesome! It quickly reduces pain and speeds healing. The mud needs to be at least 1/2 inch thick and covered with plastic wrap to stay moist. You don't want it to dry out. Putting a brace or wrap loosely over it also helps because stabilizing the joint helps support it and helps it heal faster.
Castor Oil
★★★★★
Castor Oil
★★★★★
My husband and I went to concert Friday night, where I danced my butt off and severely strained both my calf muscles (although I didn't know it at the time). For the next two days I was in a lot of pain and could hardly walk. I have to say, I found this rather comical--albeit a bit embarrassing--to discover that I can no longer shake it like I used it!
Anyway, last night I had the intuitive guidance to massage castor oil into my calves and lo-and-behold the difference straight away was utterly amazing! I did it again before bed, and then this morning before getting up, and although my calves are still a bit sore, they feel so much more comfortable, and I can pretty much walk normal again! I am completely blown away by how effective castor oil is at relieving muscle strain! Crazy-awesome-cool!
I plan to make an infused oil with healing herbs to have on hand to treat muscle and joint problems, which should help with recovery even more. Will probably make a warming balm as well.
Anyway, that's my experience with castor oil. Amazing stuff! Cheers
(Portland Oregon)
06/02/2022
★★★★★
I fell off two railroad ties and all 175 lbs of landed on my left ankle and top of my foot I couldn't wait to get home to soak my foot in epsom salt, rosemary and black seed oil. Then for bed laid Castor oil on my entire foot up to a couple inches above my ankle wrapped it in saran wrap and then wrapped flannel around it and an ace bandage to keep it all in place slept with foot elevated.
Morning I hurt but every night I have kept this routine and not missed a beat at work. Our family has used this method my whole life for any pulls strains, sprains and it has been a life saver. On the mend :)
Comfrey
★★★★★
It was removed overnight for convenience but replaced next morning when the pain had returned and again seemed to reduce that pain very quickly and effectively.
I wouldn't normally post a remedy after only one trial, since coincidence and placebo effects may play a part but I'm not planning to have another sprain. I am convinced the comfrey took down the pain extraordinarily quickly.
Traditionally known as Knitbone, the roots of Comfrey are said to be even more efficaceous than the leaves. I've also read that the ankle can be soaked in an infusion of comfrey leaf or root. I haven't tried these methods.
Comfrey is, however, a potent liver toxin so shouldn't be taken internally or applied to open wounds.
I should also add, as a caveat, that after 2 days of use, I've noticed a bit of a tic on the fingers on that side, which may or may not be coincidence, may or may not be related to absorption of the comfrey; or may be related to insult to the nerves, due to the accident.
Comfrey
★★★★★
I heard of Comfrey Root applying it as a poultice. Comfrey Root is called a bone knitter, wound healer, etc. I have never had another sprain now for forty years. My father in law used it for his gums, rinsing with comfrey tea after his teeth were removed for dentures. His doctor said he has never seen gums heal so fast in his life.
(England)
05/13/2024
Egg Whites and Salt
★★★★★
(New York)
01/27/2023
(Kentucky)
01/28/2023
To use this home remedy, you need to add an egg yolk to a tablespoonful of salt and stir properly till it gets well combined. Apply to the affected area and wrap up with a cotton fabric.
(New York, New York)
09/29/2024
Egg Whites and Salt
★★★★★
Yesterday afternoon I sprained my right foot and it was paining like mad! I looked for cures on EC (I am EC biggest fan! ) and found a few cures. Not knowing which one to apply, I decided to use all 3 together! I drank 2 TBLsp of ACV then soaked a cotton-wool strip in ACV and covered the area with it for about 20 min. I then applied a mixture of 1 beaten eggwhite with a tsp of salt to the foot. Reapplying every 10-15 min until all used up. My hubby then covered my foot with a strip of ACV-soaked-cotton-wool and covered it with an old sock at bedtime. I woke up this morning nearly pain-free. I would say 70% better! Last night I couldn't touch or stand on the foot and now I could move and walk on it! Thanks to all you guys and the granny from 1888!
(francis utah)
06/09/2021
★★★★★
I read about this remedy on EC years ago after suffering a really bad sprain. iI totally worked and I've been telling the story every chance I get 😃.
Thank you EC!
(Brooklyn)
04/10/2022
OMG my mom did the egg white thing for me years ago! I thought she was nuts!
Egg Whites and Salt
★★★★★
(Israel)
09/22/2014
(Shorewood, Il)
10/14/2015
★★★★★
My Grandma had the same remedy, born in 1902. Always helped a sprain.
(Georgia)
09/09/2017
(Calgary)
11/10/2022
How many eggs & salt required will be determined by size of the area its treating.
I would start with 1 egg & 1/2 tsp of sea salt and whip. If ya need more, make more.
Sometimes directions are not given as there are too many possible scenarios, so just take your best guess. If you used 2 egg whites & only 1/4 tsp of salt, you're not going to be too far off the mark and it will still be beneficial. Frequently, EC users have to make their best judgment. It's only egg white & salt, so nothing too dangerous there.
This remedy has great reviews, so don't let a lack of specific measurements of non-dangerous items stop you. Let your gut instinct guide you; it already led you here, after all!!
(Calgary)
11/15/2022
I am curious as to 'how' this treatment works. I haven't used it on a sprain yet, but I figured if egg whites&salt are good for pain and swelling of a sprained ankle, wouldn't it be good for swollen bumps and scrapes. I took a really great fall (I scored 10 out of 10 on it), and came away with 5 different areas to ice. I could only do 2 at a time, so the ones I couldn't do right away swelled up a bit. The morning after I iced the areas again and used assorted essential oils to heal them. They are still raw and a little swollen, so I whipped a couple of egg whites and added a pinch of himalayan pink sea salt (my scrapes are open wounds, of course, so I lessened the salt). Now the areas are much soothed. I thought if its good for sprains, and egg whited on their own are miraculous on burns, it would also work on my raw scrapes - and they feel pretty good right now. I am glad.
Feet Up 45 Degrees
★★★★★
Grape Cure
★★★★★
So I slipped down a hole unexpectedly. After the initial shock (tapped EFT-style - even though I am in shock, I deeply accept myself and the situation) I realised that I could still move my ankle and wouldn't necessarily have to call the coast guard. I remembered films about people dragging their broken legs down mountains/cutting off their own arms and remembered that I was only half a mile from the nearest house, hardly in a remote or extreme situation. I could even see people in the distance so I sat and let myself recover for a bit. I also had a phone and got some basic information about sprains. There was clearly damage - I elevated the foot for a few minutes, gingerly testing what I could or could not move. Then I remembered all the bombing in Syria and the recent earthquake victims in Italy, and how people have far worse injuries that this and not because they are stupid enough to walk on coarse paths in sandals, and I garnered sufficient courage to limp back to the car. It was quite painful, and it wasn't the best thing to do unassisted, but I drove to A&E where I had to park what seemed to be miles from the entrance, and they couldn't lend me a crutch!
Anyway, after 4 hours I was given an X-ray and an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon who said DO NOT DO ANY EXERCISE, WEAR THIS BIG BOOT OR I WILL WRAP IT IN PLASTER. He reckoned after 4 weeks I might either be healed or need surgery. So I Earth-cliniced and read a lot about sprains and tried essential oils (no good), tiger balm (no good) and arnica (no good). I also checked out Louise Hay's healing affirmations (I am confident in my inner healer/my body is perfect whole and complete etc). Eventually I tried the grape cure (spread split-open grapes all over swollen/painful area, bind up and sleep) which brought the swelling right down - maybe it was the grapes, or maybe just the time - it was 6 days after the initial injury. Some areas are still hot, however, so after 2 nights of grape-foot, now arnica gel mixed with peppermint essential oil is soothing, cooling and absolutely lovely for the foot.
I am on the road to recovery and feel confident that in a few weeks I will be taking off the boot and going for physio and not surgery. Fingers crossed. So, now I am feeling quite buoyant, but for a few days did find there was a whole lot of emotion coming up - all sorts of things, old injuries, memories of my parents' ankle injuries, a sense of shame that I haven't cared for myself when I could have, that I have taken for granted my own good health and not paid much respect to my inner healer/the amazing natural, inherent drive to repair disease in spite of the mental palava that so often gets in the way. I was having a dispute with someone which was upsetting me, far more than it should have, and this has helped me to get a sense of priority - what has been so important to me is the kindness offered all the time by strangers and colleagues, and the love and concern from others who are good enough to give me time and support. So I am still wearing the big boot and using crutches but the swelling is greatly reduced after 8 days. Who knows what miracles will happen in the next 20?
(N Yorks)
12/10/2016
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for posting such a detailed account of your incident...especially the emotional stuff that came up as exactly the same happened to me, stuff from a car crash, many things that I'd obviously suppressed and boom...up they all came, does something in the brain get triggered when there's a time of shock and vulnerability do you think? Thanks again for such a helpful post. Jackie
Grape Cure
★★★★★
Friends of mine have come off crutches the next day! You must be cautious however because it does not heal broken bones but may confuse you because of the immediate pain relief. almost.
Homemade Bruise Strain and Tear Repair Mixture
★★★★★
(Playa Del Rey)
07/28/2013
(Playa Del Rey)
12/07/2014
★★★★★
(Florida)
09/07/2015
(Sevierville)
02/04/2023