Sprain Remedies

| Modified on Sep 29, 2024
Comfrey
Posted by Bethbs (England) on 05/13/2024
★★★★★

Having badly sprained an ankle and had to walk on it for a mile or so, at the first opportunity, of course I raised it and applied ice without any noticeable diminution of pain. I couldn't move my toes and the pain was excruciating right up to and beyond the knee. Application of a paste made from several large comfrey leaves, liquidised with water and flour to make a fairly stiff, spreadable compress, held in place with Cling Film and an elastic bandage, seemed to provide very effective relief within a couple of hours.

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
Posted by Beth (England) on 05/13/2024

Comfrey is a liver toxin though, so I wouldn't recommend taking internally, on open wounds, nor using on the gums, no matter how efficaceous.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Art (California) on 06/30/2023 2294 posts

Jerry,

When going out in public where vinegar may not be the most attractive option to have on, odorless mag oil can reduce swelling, inflammation of a sprain of the wrist or ankle. Just spray it on. Here is a typical product which is also useful for other types of joint pain and muscle cramps :

https://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Oil-Spray-STRENGTH-Essential/dp/B01N0KQ9QJ/ref=sr_1_11?crid=2HPAR63AHVSIJ&keywords=mag+oil&qid=1688168012&sprefix=mag+oil,aps,232&sr=8-11

Art


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jerry (Long Beach, CA) on 06/30/2023
★★★★★

Tried the sock mentioned above for sprained wrist and it worked. I got a lot of movement back and a lot of pain gone. I rubbed olive oil on my palm and that kept it from getting really wrinkly or itchy. I used a sock that I cut holes in for each finger and my thumb and I wrapped enough plastic wrap around my wrist and hand to cover the entire sock it was a cast but in the morning it felt a lot better.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Michael (Nashua, NH) on 05/08/2023
★★★★★

It works!

  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp honey

Microwave for 14 seconds

Whisk to dissolve

  • 1 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp ACV. (Add slowly)
  • 2 tbsp water

I did this three times a day and the pain stopped in a few hours and the swelling went down in one day.

I am not a home remedy guy but this really works!

The honey helps make it pleasant tasting.

EC: Hi Michael, please let us know what medical condition you are posting this great feedback about. It sounds like a sprain, but please let us know if it's something else, and we'll move the post to another page.


Castor Oil
Posted by Wendy (London) on 03/02/2023
★★★★★

I walked home ricked my ankle maybe on uneven paving. Carried on no pain then walked home. That evening foot started to hurt then got worse and worse until I could hardly walk. Restless night in pain. Next day massaged my foot and ankle with castor oil 3 times and the following day, like magic the pain was all gone. I couldn't believe how wonderfully it worked.


Homemade Bruise Strain and Tear Repair Mixture
Posted by Donna (Sevierville ) on 02/04/2023

Thank you so much for info on sprains. I sprained my foot very badly and it doesn't want to reduce swelling or start healing.


Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 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.


Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by Ragbir (New York) on 01/27/2023

How much egg whites to how much salt should be used on a sprained ankle?


Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 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.


Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 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!!


Castor Oil
Posted by Carlyn (Portland Oregon ) on 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 :)


Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by John (Brooklyn) on 04/10/2022

OMG my mom did the egg white thing for me years ago! I thought she was nuts!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ondra (Vietnam) on 10/26/2021
★★★★★

I fell on my wrist while roller skating and it felt like the TFCC tear from what Mr. Google was able to tell. There was no bruising or heavy swelling so I decided not to go to the doctor. There seems to be no major issues regarding the mobility of the joint but it was quite painful. ACV is basically my go-to remedy for everything so I tried the trick with the sock dipped in ACV and a plastic wrap over night. It definitely decreased the pain and increased joint mobility by at least 50%. I strongly recommend this. Just be careful with applying the ACV on your palm as you can damage the skin like I did - it is now dry and itchy but still worth it. However, you could surely protect it somehow... the back of the hand was fine...

Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by annie z (francis utah) on 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!


Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by Cheryl (Idaho) on 05/29/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

While living in Peru, I sprained my ankle. Sweet little ladies took me to their home, whipped up some egg whites and slathered the “merengue” all over my ankle and wrapped it in a paper towel. (They actually made the “paper towel” by rubbing paper between their hands until it was soft, and then pricking it with a fork). As the white prickled and popped like rice crispies, the swelling went down. Finally, when the paper was touching my skin, the swelling had gone down completely. I'm not sure about the salt, it most likely was in the whipped whites, but I can attest that this egg white remedy works wonders.

Sauerkraut
Posted by Susan (California) on 05/16/2015
★★★★★

I had to jump to get out of the way of a woman on a bicycle and badly injured my feet. I went to the doctor and was told I probably had no broken bones but they were badly sprained. I limped around for a couple months with no abatement (stabbing pains like needles not knives). I had some raw fermented Sauerkraut in the fridge that I hadn't tried and finally ate some of it (around 1/4 cup with juice). I woke up the next morning and all pain was gone and it hasn't come back. Please give this a try but make sure it is fermented and unprocessed. Good luck!


Comfrey
Posted by Julie (Crystal River, Florida) on 09/16/2019
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had a broken ankle in the 70's that wouldn't show up on Xray, my ligaments were torn from continuous spraining that finally, in the 80's had an operation to fix cause newer Xrays showed a fracture, but ligaments would not heal, kept getting casts.

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amanda (Ashland, Oregon) on 12/10/2020
★★★★★

@SJ (2018 post below),

Thank you for sharing your experience. yesterday evening I took a hard tumble walking to the grocery store. Fell on concrete and must have taken all my weight with my right hand. Seemed to only affect my pinkie to hand knuckle, but by night time the whole back of my hand hurt and my wrist. The pain kept me awake.

Came here and discovered your story about ACV. I tried it and the coolness felt great. I applied fresh ACV (to a sock) an hour after the first application and the pain definitely went down. I finally found a comfortable position for my wrist and hand, and slept like a baby. It's painful to use today, so must not use it! Tough, cause I am right handed. Anyway, thank you everyone who shares their experiences here.


Arnica Comfrey Tincture
Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 09/19/2018
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My 12 year old son sprained his second toe playing frisbee. The first night I did an apple cider vinegar wrap since that usually brings significant relief overnight. However, the next day the toe seemed no better.

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
Posted by Audrey (Tx) on 01/12/2018
★★★★★

Calcium Bentonite Clay for Sprains

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.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sj_4162 (Wa) on 01/07/2018
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Yesterday I fell and sprained my wrist in the morning. Come that evening became very painful and was throbbing. I iced it and it felt better for a short time. I looked on EC and found the apple cider vinegar remedy. I cut the toe out of an old sock, saturated it with AC and put it on my wrist. Wrapped it with Saran Wrap. Excruciating pain for 2 hours. Pain stopped and I fell asleep for the night. Woke up this morning with swelling mostly gone and no pain. I was amazed! Thx EC.

Egg Whites and Salt
Posted by Marcus (Georgia) on 09/09/2017

Can anyone clarify the recipe, how many egg whites and how much salt?


Apple Cider Vinegar and DMSO
Posted by Namaw (Bama) on 03/03/2017
★★★★★

Vinegar & brown paper works. I first learned of it in 'Jack and Jill'--he breaks his crown and puts vinegar & brown paper on it. Simple remedy.


Grape Cure
Posted by Jackie (N Yorks) on 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


Wrist Strain Remedies
Posted by Denise (Ca) on 12/04/2016
★★★★★

Comfrey Leaf for Fractures and Sprains

I know many of these comments were submitted a few years ago. I just wanted to add my 2 cents about comfrey leaf. I took comfrey leaf for many years with no harm before FDA decided to put on THEIR toxic list.

I've also done lots of research both about the so called study that prompted the FDA to ban manufacturers from using comfrey for internal consumption, as well as many health experts/MDs that have voiced their medical opinion about its safety.

In the study, some ungodly amount was fed to rats and, given their small weight and size, supposedly the PAs (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) in the comfrey caused liver damage.

Comfrey, in my view, hands down is the best thing for a sprain, bone fracture, strain, etc. in accelerated healing and cell regeneration. I still take comfrey leaves (not the root) internally (yes, I can find it in bulk) when I have a sprain/strain.

Of course, do your own research to decide for yourself. I have done mine and use it responsibly and only when needed. Never had any problems nor side effects.

You can still make poultice, even if don't take internally. You can find comfrey cremes as well.

While some of the other recommended items will help take away swelling, they won't regenerate cells (like from tom tendon or ligament). If you start getting too active too prematurely before tears heal, you can re-injure. That's where comfrey is different than other remedies.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jovancou (Struga) on 09/21/2016
★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar really helps in getting rid of the swelling from sprains. Just damp a sock in it, drain it and put it on your foot. Put a plastic wrap or a plastic bag to keep you away from the smell and to keep your sheets dry.


Grape Cure
Posted by Hobbled (Uk) on 09/04/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Ankle sprain - torn ligament

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?

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Charmaine (Westminster Co ) on 06/26/2016
★★★★★

Earthclinic.com

Please never stop this website. It has helped me with everything I look up.

For ankle sprain, arnica gel, helichrysum, apple cider vinegar, dmso, all work! Bless you



NEXT 
1 2 3 Next Page
Advertisement