Healing a bone from a fracture, or break can be a frustrating one. It’s a waiting game and you must be patient, as bone’s take time to “knit” themselves back together.

There’s good news too! Nutritionally there is so much you can do to give yourself an advantage in the healing process. Here are a few of them.  

*Consult your doctor or health care professional before using any herbal program. Not advised if pregnant or nursing*

HERBS 

COMFREY: Well known for its ability to “knit” bones back together. Comfrey has been used successively for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing ability. It is commonly recommended to use for acute situations for a short period *6 weeks Maximum*  

EXTERNAL USE: *Can be used once cast if off* Chop and mash comfrey leaves and/or root. Add a tsp. of apple cider vinegar (increases blood circulation, decreasing stagnation), and apply as a paste over fracture, with a warm towel or bandage to cover. Comfrey leaf and root tincture can be used in the same way, if fresh herb is not available.

ARNICA: Best to take immediately after an injury in homeopathic form, as often as every two hours following injury for several days. 

EXTERNAL USE:  You can use a tincture as a compress, or combined with comfrey poultice. Ointment and salves containing arnica are more helpful following the acute stage.

TEA 

Oat straw, Horsetail, Dandelion leaf + Nettle, should all be taken daily or as often as possible. Combine as a mineral rich tea, with mint added for taste. I would suggest buying all four of these in bulk and enjoying daily. Nettle is a wonderful plant to continue drinking after healing as well.

SPICES 

Turmeric has a long history of being used in healing wounds by purifying the blood, preventing scar tissue and inflammation and stretching ligaments; take in capsules several times a day or roll the powder into small balls with a little water. Can also be used externally as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.

* Cayenne is also excellent*

WHOLE FOOD

Avoid all those typical No-No’s: sugar, refined foods, alcohol, processed chocolate, and caffeine, all which can delay healing, and inhibit absorption of minerals, especially calcium and iron.

Eat foods high in vitamins+minerals, choosing fresh and organic wherever possible: Kale, Collards, Broccoli, Chard, (all dark green leafy vegetables), Lettuce, Parsley, Cilantro, Nettle, etc. Consume daily, two to three times if possible.

Seaweeds (kelp, alaria, hijiki, dulse) are excellent sources of trace minerals, which are essential in healing, as well as extremely nourishing. Eat daily, either as a dried snack, or in salads, stir-frys, stews+soups.

ZINC 

Some 200 enzymes require zinc for their functioning. Zinc supplementation aids in bone formation, enhances protein production, and stimulates fracture healing. No need to take as a supplement – zinc can be consumed through raw, soaked pumpkin seeds + cashews, beef, lamb and lots of leafy greens like,  chard, kale, spinach, collards, nettle+dandelion. 

CALCIUM + PHOSPHORUS  

The main minerals in bone are calcium and phosphorus, in the form of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals. High doses of these minerals in: free-to-range eggs, sesame seeds, figs, leafy greens and sea weeds.

VITAMIN C

Essential for proper synthesis of the bone collagen protein matrix. It is also one of the most important antioxidants and anti‐inflammatory nutrients. Found in all fresh fruits and veg, esp. lemons+limes.

VITAMIN D

The primary regulator of calcium absorption. Without adequate vitamin D, calcium blood levels drop, making less calcium available for fracture healing. Found in free-to-range eggs, mushrooms, wild fish, and grass fed or wild meats.

VITAMIN K

An essential part of the biochemical processes that bind calcium to bone and it is required for proper formation of the osteocalcin bone protein. In addition, vitamin K helps conserve calcium by reducing the loss of calcium in the urine. Best sources are found in red meats + wild game.

TO REDUCE PAIN 

Where there is pain, there is inflammation — a product of the body’s action to tear down, recycle, and repair damaged tissues. For fracture healing, it is ideal to use nutrients that are both anti‐inflammatory and nourishing to new bone growth. 

Useful anti‐ inflammatory nutrients include:  vitamin C rich foods, omega‐3 fatty acids, and fermented foods such as raw sauerkraut + apple cider vinegar.