The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Turmeric
Posted by Wanda (Santa Cruz, Ca, Usa) on 04/20/2012
★★★★★
I have had an aunt and a niece who both correct their bunions using a combination of olive oil & turmeric (raw) massages, plus wearing a bunion splint at night & in the day when posible. The aunt's took longer but improved in weeks & both were almost gone in months (the girl's esp). Massage following techniques for stimulating blood flow and elongating muscles of feet 2 X day. Drink big glass of water before each massage. Exercise feet, esp skating, xcountry ski, beach walking, jogging. if u stick with it u will be amazed.
Massage
Posted by AMD (V Ville, CA) on 06/20/2008
Now that is love....sweet.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 11/04/2014
Hi Jane...I can't really tell you exactly how long it took too cure my bunions. After I shaved the dead skin off my bunions and other areas down to bare skin, I think that I only used the recommended protocol for just over a month. That was at least 3 years ago as I recall.
Since that time, my bunions have never returned and the skin around the perimeters of my feet now feels like proper skin again and not like hard bulging leather. My extra advice to you is don't just treat the bunion area -- treat the whole foot, underside as well. That's what I did.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 08/03/2015
Hi...Earthling2015...Just apply the mixture to your bunion once a day. When I used the remedy, I applied the dmso/lugols iodine mix to the whole foot(for both feet) -- apply to bunions, sides, soles and back of the foot as well. Nothing fancy but just make sure to wipe over the whole area. Do this once a day. Also be advised to let the mix soak into the foot and dry off before putting on socks and shoes as iodine can stain.
Whenever I used this ready, I always used it directly after my shower at night -- just before bed. I just made sure it was dry and went to straight to bed. This way, there were no staining problems at all because I wasn't wearing socks or shoes.
Massage
Posted by Sian (London) on 07/29/2013
★★★★☆
I have had a moderate bunion for three years on my right foot and the beginnings of one on my left.
I have been vigorously massaging my feet daily for 15 minutes for a few months and it has had an effect of reducing the inflammation in the toe joint. They are still red when I take my shoes off at the end of the day but they have definitely have improved and are not nearly quite as painful as before. I am going to stick with my foot massage and try adding Tagetes oil to my plain massage oil which is recommended for foot problems and there has been a lot of positive things said about this oil in recent years. I wear looser shoes now with a wider toe box - the tight, pointy shoes have all gone on Ebay. Also, one could try Pilates foot exercises to strengthen the feet.
I couldn't go as far to say massage can cure bunions as they are structural anomalies - extra bone has been formed on the toe joint, but it can bring great relief and stop the worsening of the condition.
Turmeric
Posted by Sharon (New Orleans, La) on 11/30/2011
★★★★★
I was in tears after massaging my bunion. It seemed to make the pain worse. I tried the turmeric rub, and had instant reducion in my pain level. I'm a believer for life. Thanks for this site, I will cx my cortisone injection scheduled for tomorrow. Sharon
Turmeric
Posted by Pamela (Charlotte, North Carolina) on 08/29/2008
★★★★★
Turmeric cure for bunion pain. Rub dried turmeric spice directly on the bunion for relief. You can also take turmeric pills internally to reduce inflammation but I have not tried that yet. It is a bit messy to rub it on so I do it over the bathroom sink and use a plastic glove so that my hand does not turn yellow. I need to reapply every few days to keep the pain away. It is an easy remedy. You can buy Turmeric cheaply in bulk at the health food stores or in the spice aisle of the grocery store.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 11/19/2015
Hi Stephanie...Yes, you should use a skin scraper - which is a bit like a miniature potato grater -- constantly to get rid of the dead skin and pathogens in the bunion region. Then use a rub stick -- a bit like fine grained sandpaper -- as you get nearer the new skin. Try scraping or rubbing like this gently once or twice a week as well as using the DMSO an iodine. You'll know when to stop scraping when you hit new skin -- that will cause a bit of pain, so be gentle with yourself.
When I got rid of my own pronounced bunions, I remember that I was constantly rubbing or scraping them down every week. And after you have rubbed down or scraped the bunion area, always lean and disinfect afterwards with the dmso and iodine. That means that there will be no escape for any annoying pathogens in that area...
Coconut Oil
Posted by Brian (Sth Aus) on 11/09/2015
Ashley, mine was a self diagnosis - not a medical one, of a Tailor's Bunion (aka Bunionette) - a lump at the outside base of my small toe, and definitely not a callus nor a corn. I had been wearing 'barefoot shoes' for years, no big toe rotation nor structural cramping at all possible. The Coconut Oil massages I gave it at worst cost 3 cents and 3 minutes of my time, and it has never reappeared in the 2 years since. I won't guarantee it will work for anybody else but is worth a go. Perhaps the longer the condition, the longer the treatment time.
Bentonite Clay
Posted by Jen (Longview) on 03/10/2018
★★★★★
Bunion
Bentonite clay food grade all the way. Use this topically and with help of tea made of bay leaves to drink cured it fast.
Ginger
Posted by Jennysmom2 (Idaho, US) on 07/22/2015
★★★★★
I just want to say that ginger has almost completely gotten rid of the pain and inflammation I have from a bunion and general stiffness I have.
Of course you need to take it regularly, or the pain etc. comes back. I am on the go and work out of town, so a great solution for me is to keep candied ginger with me. (Not ginger candy) I eat a couple of pieces a couple of times a day. Some people may be concerned with sugar content, but this is good on the go solution for me.
Massage
Posted by Jac (East Coast USA) on 04/06/2021
Have your employers no compassion? You must wear something more humane to work in or you'll suffer more and more as time goes on.
It's time to reassess priorities if this is what it comes to. Also, tell your husband exactly how important this is. If he truly loves you, he won't allow you to suffer. -What price fashion?
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by jac (East Coast USA) on 04/07/2021
I'm looking forward to trying your remedy, but wondering if there's any advantage of using Lugol's with DMSO (gel on order) as opposed to Povidone iodine?
Thanks much for your info!
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by RonEBorden (Florida, USA) on 09/28/2021
I had the same question. Lugol's is safe to use internally while Providone is for external use only. I'm assuming then that only Lugol's should be used.
Amazon has Lugol's (2%), 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) made by Heiltropfen for about $60. Lugol's has an indefinite shelf life.
Massage
Posted by Catherine (Wellington, New Zealand) on 07/30/2013
Hi Sian, There is a little known therapy called "Foot Joint Mobilisation" which has great success with bunions, hammer toes etc. Google for a practitioner in your area.
Massage
Posted by Bonita (Colorado Springs, Colorado ) on 07/08/2024
Bunions are actually caused from too tight shoes, compression of toes, which causes the big toe to get out of joint. Its basically dislocated. I guess physical therapy is a good thing to do. Or self manipulation/massage... hard to do when yourself esp cuz it hurts. Castor oil lubricates the joint.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Jane (UK) on 11/04/2014
Hi Bill - Thank you so much for your answer!
Please can you remember how long it took before you saw a result?
I am so glad to have found Earth Clinic and your inspiring post. I would be over the moon if this worked for my bunion. Thanks you.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Jane (Uk) on 11/05/2014
Hi Bill - Thank you so much for all your help and advice regarding this. I really appreciate your time and trouble.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Earthling2015 (Mn) on 08/02/2015
Hi Bill,
Thank you for this information!
I have a question for you. Do you keep the mixture on the area for a long time every day, or it simply wipe with cotton ball or cloth once a day?
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Stephanie (California) on 11/18/2015
★★★★★
Hi Bill,
I did exactly what you said, DMSO and Iodine. The thick skin over my bunion has hardened and turned white. Did that happen with you? Do you recommend scrubbing it all off and reapplying or does the white dead skin eventually fall off?
Stephanie
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Sam (Fort Lauderdale) on 09/26/2021
Why 70% DMSO? I'm only finding 99% DMSO or 70/30 DMSO/Aloe Vera. Which is the best to use?
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by kimberly (texas) on 08/15/2022
"No more bunion formations" is good. But did the iodine actually remove the bunions so that your toe was then straight and in alignment? I don't have much pain, I am more concerned about the unsightliness and want the side of my foot to be straight.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Ashley (Trinidad) on 11/07/2015
May I ask what type of bunion you were diagnosed with? I want to see if the oil massage would be worth a try. Is yours due to a structural change meaning your big toe was starting to rotate towards the next toe?
Shark Cartilage or Tiger Balm
Posted by Chuck (Cape Coral, Florida) on 03/01/2013
★★★★★
I developed a bunion more than twenty years ago. I heard shark cartilage could help so I started taking it. The bunion shrank and I never even considered having surgery as my friend, Sandy, did. More recentyly I have used Tiger Balm (red) on it with good success as well.
