Sprains

Most Recent Posts

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda for a Sprain (?)

Michael (Nashua, NH) on 05/08/2023
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY         

Apple Cider Vinegar for Wrist Injury

Ondra (Vietnam) on 10/26/2021
5 out of 5 stars

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...
REPLY   6      

Egg Whites and Salt for Sprains

Cheryl (Idaho) on 05/29/2021
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   18      



Sauerkraut for Healing Sprains

Susan (California) on 05/16/2015
5 out of 5 stars

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!
REPLY   6      

Julie (Crystal River, Florida) on 09/16/2019
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   6      

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sprains

Amanda (Ashland, Oregon) on 12/10/2020
5 out of 5 stars

@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.

REPLY   7      

Arnica Comfrey Tincture for Sprained Toe

Mama To Many (Tn) on 09/19/2018
5 out of 5 stars

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~

REPLY   12      

Calcium Bentonite Clay for Sprains

Audrey (Tx) on 01/12/2018
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   4      

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sprain

Sj_4162 (Wa) on 01/07/2018
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   10      

Re: Comfrey Leaf for Fractures and Sprains

Denise (Ca) on 12/04/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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.

REPLY   14      

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sprains

Jovancou (Struga) on 09/21/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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.
REPLY   3      

Grape Cure Helping Torn Ligament Heal

Hobbled (Uk) on 09/04/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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?

REPLY   15      

Multiple Remedies Helped Ankle Sprain

Charmaine (Westminster Co ) on 06/26/2016
5 out of 5 stars

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

REPLY   7      

Ice Water, Bentonite Clay, Castor Oil Helped Stubbed Toe Injury

Todayishine (America, New York) on 12/14/2015
5 out of 5 stars

What helped me get through the first week of what I thought was a stubbed toe was, the ice water, castor oil and bentonite clay. These were products available at home brought temporary relief. I thought because I could walk that toe was not broke. However about the third day I had to stand on it most of the day and the pain seem to worsen. I did a little toe pressure and felt it, click, click, click in and out of place. I continue with castor oil and added iodine. Now it is about the six week and I feel that my toe is almost back to normal. There is not a lot of pain when over worked any more and it no longer clicks. Thanks for your help EC.

Todayishine

REPLY   1      

Apple Cider Vinegar, Turmeric for Muscle Strain

Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 08/13/2015
5 out of 5 stars

One of my grown sons was removing tile from a kitchen. He spent all day using a hammer against hard tile. His forearm was very, very sore when he got home. His face showed his pain and he is really pretty tough, so it must have really hurt.

I soaked a couple of flannel cloths in raw apple cider vinegar and wrapped his arm. I covered that with plastic wrap and an old sock with the foot cut out to hold it all together. I also gave him 4 turmeric capsules (internally) for good measure. :) When he got up this morning, his pain was nearly all better and he is off to work.

Vinegar is so amazing!

~Mama to Many~

REPLY   3      

Re: Apple Cider Vinegar for Sprained Foot

Rock (St. Louis) on 04/20/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I tried the ACV for my sprained ankle and it did not do anything. Instead I iced and massaged with oil, which made it much better within a few days.
REPLY   2      

Castor Oil for Strained Calf Muscles

Christina (New Zealand) on 02/02/2015
5 out of 5 stars

Hello! I just discovered the amazing healing qualities of castor oil and thought I share my story...

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

REPLY   5      

Re: Apple Cider Vinegar and DMSO Helped Heal Sprain

Elaine (Edmond, Oklahoma) on 04/22/2014
5 out of 5 stars

My husband came home yesterday with a sprained knee. He tripped over a pallet and was walking with a crutch. I came here to see what might help with his pain and healing. I found ACV and DMSO. I decided to pour some ACV in a cup and soak a wash cloth in it. I took a plastic bag and placed it under his knee and then swabbed his knee with a little DMSO and placed the cloth on his knee. About two hours later he was walking without the cane! He said the concoction helped a lot. I am now doing the same and hope it makes things even better.
REPLY   1      

Apple Cider Vinegar and DMSO Helped Heal Sprain

Stephen (Pennsylvania) on 07/30/2013
5 out of 5 stars

I had a terrible sprain or strain of muscles or ligaments in my low back. It was so bad, I was using crutches and a wheelchair to get around my house. Reading of the old remedy of "vinegar and brown paper, " I thought perhaps the vinegar drew DMSO out of the woodpulp of the paper... So I rubbed DMSO on my back and soaked a cloth in ACV.... This combination worked better than the DMSO alone and was almost miraculous in the effect it had. Several such treatments greatly resolved the excuciating pain I was in.
REPLY   4      

Help Requested for Wrist Strain That Hasn't Healed

Kay (Jax, Fl) on 07/22/2013

Back in March of 2013, (this year) I was lift my 80lb dog with one hand and twisted my wrist. I went to the orthopedic doc, took xrays and found no fractures but said the pain would go away. 2 weeks later I went back and was told the same thing. Give a bandage to wear. After a few weeks the constant pain went away, but If I tried to lift anything with that right hand, it would start hurting again. Unfortunately I am right handed! I am thinking about going to another ortho or perhaps a neurologist. I never had any swelling. I have been soaking it in epsom salts and warm water two times a day with no relief. Any suggestions?
REPLY