Musculoskeletal System

The muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue — structure, movement, and the wear-and-tear and inflammatory conditions that affect them.

General herbal approach

Anti-inflammatory herbs (turmeric, boswellia, ginger) are central to managing arthritic and overuse pain. Antispasmodics release muscle tension and cramp, analgesics and rubefacients relieve pain — the latter by drawing blood to the area when applied topically. Alteratives and anti-rheumatic herbs support the slow clearance of metabolic waste from joints in chronic conditions, while mineral-rich nutritive herbs (nettle, horsetail) feed bone and connective tissue.

Key herbal actions

The actions most often called on for the musculoskeletal system: Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Analgesic, Antirheumatic, Rubefacient, Nutritive. Each links through to the herbs that carry it.