5 Simple Natural Remedies to Relieve Bursitis

It's essential to rest the joints, limit movement in the area, and not force the joints, along with using these remedies to relieve bursitis.

Reviewed and approved by psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Written by Valeria Sabater

Last update: 15 July, 2022

Today’s article contains some natural remedies to relieve bursitis. Did you know that wherever bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments meet, there are fluid-filled sacs called  bursae? They sometimes swell and cause the condition we’re about to discuss here. Fortunately, this condition is treatable, at least according to this study by Novi Pazar State University in Serbia.

The thing is that continuous rubbing of the joints is the most common trigger of this type of inflammation. It’s somewhat painful and, in many cases, even incapacitating.

Furthermore, it’s important to mention that bursitis isn’t the same as tendinitis. The latter usually arises from overuse of the tendons, as described in this study by Dalhousie University.

The latter refers to inflammation of a tendon, the fibrous structure that connects muscle to bone.

Bursitis is concentrated in one of the 150 bursas that act as “cushions” between the tendons, ligaments, and bones that surround the joint.

You may have noticed the swelling, stiffness, and redness if you’ve ever experienced it.

Doctors can prescribe the best treatment for bursitis but you might want to try these simple natural remedies to reduce inflammation and pain in the meantime.

Ready to take notes?

1. Apple cider vinegar to relieve bursitis

Apple cider vinegar is a classic remedy for the natural treatment of bursitis.

• It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, as stated in this research published in the prestigious magazine Nature.
• According to this study carried out by the University of Bridgeport, in the United States, apple vinegar is also recommended to treat rheumatoid problems.

Here’s how to use it:

What you need:

• A washcloth
• 1/2 c. of raw apple cider vinegar (125 ml.)
• 1 tsp. of honey (7.5 g.)

How to make it:

• It’s very simple. First, mix the apple cider vinegar in a cup with the honey. This is how you make a powerful anti-inflammatory remedy you can use throughout the day.
• Next, moisten the washcloth well with this mixture.
• Finally, apply to the area affected by bursitis for 15 minutes.

2. Cold therapy during the first 48 hours

Cold temperatures are one of the absolute best ways  to bring down initial swelling at the same time as you relieve pain in the affected area. According to this study, conducted by the University of the Americas in Chile, this acts as a sedative and a natural analgesic.

What you need

• 10 ice cubes
• A plastic bag

What to do

• Start by placing the ice cubes inside the plastic bag.
• Next, place the bag on the affected joint for 15 minutes.
• After that time, you must elevate the injured joint above your heart and rest.
• You can do this several times a day until you find relief.

3. Essential oil massage

There are very interesting essential oils for the treatment of bursitis. These can help you the most:

• Nutmeg oil: This essential oil is effective for the treatment of joint pain due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, according to this study conducted by the South-Central University for Nationalities of China.
• Peppermint Essential Oil: This cannot be missing in your medicine cabinet of natural remedies. Its main component is menthol, which has been widely used since ancient times for the treatment of pain and inflammation and which, according to a study by the Islamic University of Azad, can also help to relieve the symptoms of diabetes.

Be sure to massage this type of essential oil where it hurts.

Another great type of oil for these conditions is coconut oil. According to research by the Cell Biology department of The Himalaya Drug Company, it’s a potent anti-inflammatory.

Just apply a few drops and do a circular massage to obtain relief.

4. Ginger

This underground stem has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties, as shown in this study by the Isfahan University of Medical Science.

Here’s how you apply this treatment.

What you need:

• 3 tbsp. of grated ginger (7 g.)
• Gauze
• 1/2 c. of hot water (125 ml.)

How to make it:

• Firstly, roll up the freshly grated ginger inside a piece of gauze.
• Next, put the gauze and ginger into a cup of hot water for 2 minutes. It’s very easy.
• Let it cool down a bit and then, place on the affected area for 15 minutes.
• You can repeat the process 2 or 3 times a day.

5. Resting in addition to a diet high in magnesium can help relieve bursitis

It may seem obvious, but one of the best natural remedies for bursitis is resting and maintaining a proper posture.

• Your doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, but it’s essential to reduce movement in the joint as much as possible when there’s swelling.
• Bursitis happens due to strain, the rubbing of joints and muscles, or ligaments that swell specific bursae.

So, moving the joint will only worsen the pain.

Rest as much as you can, and be sure to keep up a diet rich in magnesium like eat bananas, spinach, oats, lentils, etc.

This mineral is vital for your joints, muscles, and ligaments, as this study from the National Science Library of the United States affirms.

You should ask your doctor whether or not to take supplements of this mineral to relieve bursitis. Milk of magnesia, for example.