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5 Herbs To Take After Surgery – Here’s What Studies Say About Post-Op Herbal Healing

5 Herbs To Take After Surgery – Here’s What Studies Say About Post-Op Herbal Healing

Herbal supplements have long been an integral part of folk medicine dating back at least 5000 years.  Some herbal remedies go back to ancient Egyptian, Roman, Greek, Indian and even Sumerian civilizations.

Egyptian hieroglyphs show doctors healing constipated patients with senna pods as well as using peppermint, caraway, and opium poppy to treat other ailments.

From the book of Ezekiel 47:12 (600 B.C.)  “..and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”

It is clear that specific nutrients play a major role in the physiology of wound healing and tissue repair. Studies show that nutrient deficiency in patients generally is responsible for increased healing time after surgery.

It is very likely, and demonstrated in some research, that providing sufficient quantities of such nutrients aids the recovery process.

The recent resurgence in the interest in herbal medicine has led to an increase in research on their efficacy. Still, much ongoing experiments and clinical trials are needed to map their scientifically based effectiveness regarding healing and wellness.

herbal remedy: a plant or a part of a plant that is used as medicine 

Here’s what science has found so far about what botanical medicines have to offer to people who underwent a surgical procedure.

 

Herbal medicine may be beneficial in the post surgery healing process for several reasons:

  • natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief
  • ameliorate the postoperative bruising and swelling process
  • improve wound healing when applied topically
  • reduce systemic and topical inflammation
  • help reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep
  • help protect and detoxify the liver

 

White willow bark, a natural painkiller

white willow bark contains salicin, the chemical used in aspirin
white willow bark contains salicin, the chemical used in aspirin

Bark of the white willow tree (Salix alba)  is one of the oldest known herbal remedies for treating inflammation, as pain relief (analgesic) and as a fever reducer (antipyretic).

White willow bark was already used during the time of Hippocrates, people would chew on the bark to relieve fever and pain.

Aspirin and white willow bark work similarly but the latter does not cause nausea.

White willow bark contains salicin, which is a chemical similar to aspirin but is considered to have fewer side effects than aspirin. This botanical works not as quickly as aspirin but does work much longer.

Because aspirin, irritating the stomach lining, may cause stomach trouble white willow bark has recently become more popular for the treatment of inflammatory syndromes.

What does the research say?

Various randomized, placebo-controlled studies comparing white willow bark with nonsteroidal agents (NSAIDs) have shown an efficacy comparable to these agents and aspirin.

 

Chamomille, a herbal anti-inflammatory agent that helps reduce swelling and pain

chamomile, an ancient herbal medicine
chamomile speeds wound healing and helps ease post surgery stress

Chamomille (Chamameleum mobile) does not only make delicious, relaxing tea. The flowers of chamomile contain volatile oils which possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile flowers have been used in traditional medicine as a poultice (compress/ dressing) or hot foment for inflammatory pain or congestive neuralgia. (sometimes combined with crushed poppy heads)

It was used to treat external swelling ( associated with underlying infection or abscess), to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, gout, skin irritations, bruises, burns, canker sores, neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids, mastitis and other ailments.

Being anxious and stressed are common after surgery. The calming effects of chamomile, which is widely regarded as a sleep inducer and relaxant, can therefore be of use.

  • found that topical chamomile improved wound healing (epithelization) and caused complete wound healing faster than corticosteroids.
  • Chamomile extracts have shown to exhibit benzodiazepine-like hypnotic activity and inhaling chamomile oil vapor showed a physical stress reduction in patients.
  • Chamomile is claimed to boost the immune system and studies found that drinking 5 cups of chamomille tea daily for 2 weeks increased antibacterial activity in the body.

Source:

 

Ginseng, traditionally thought to boost the immune system and combat post-op stress

Asian ginseng, a common medicine in China to relieve post op stress
Asian ginseng, a common medicine in China to relieve post op stress

Doctors in China commonly prescribe Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) to help their patients recover from the stress of surgery.

Several animal studies suggest that ginseng increases physical endurance and causes physiological changes that may help the body adapt to adverse conditions

Sometimes ginseng is called an “adaptogen,” a substance supposed to increase the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning.

Well-designed studies however haven’t found any evidence that adaptogens exist.

 

Ginkgo biloba increases healing success in surgical reconstruction

Ginkgo-leaves
Ginkgo leaves

Ginkgo has many properties that could make it helpful after surgery. It is touted a potent antioxidant that can help neutralize the proliferation of free radicals generated by surgical trauma.

Commonly used in studies, EGb 761, a Ginkgo biloba extract with potent in vitro antiradical properties.

One study examining the ability of Ginko extract to showed an improved clinical outcome of recovery of treated patients.

Although the improvement was not significant compared with untreated patients, Ginko extract was claimed useful by the researchers.

  • Research shows Ginko biloba extract supports after surgery. It has also been demonstrated to act as an effective pain remedy in following surgery.
  • One animal study suggestst that Ginko may be useful for the . Neuropathic pain is pain resulting from injury to the nervous system. Often characterized by shooting and burning pain, numbness or a tingling sensation.
  • Another animal study suggest that GbE 761 administered on day 1 after surgery increased successful .

Ginkgo has shown to improve circulation in the brain and the extremities. Which is why it is claimed to be useful to anyone recuperating from surgery, especially when having to have bed rest for prolonged periods of time. Clinical evidence for this claim however, is limited or non-existing.

 

Garlic assists the liver with detoxification

garlic, ..
garlic, ..

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a plant in the Allium (onion) family. Thanks to its delicious smell and taste it is used in cooking all over the world but apart from that it is one of the world’s most praised health-giving plants.

Garlic contains lots of a sulfur compound called allicin, which is thought to bring about the health benefits

Garlic strengthens the immune system and helps prevent infections.

Post-operation it can be helpful to protect the liver against the oxidative stress caused by the surgery, anesthesia and other medications. Garlic is often used as part of a detox regimen.

Taken before surgery garlic can increase the risk on prolonged bleeding post-surgery.

  • Taking a garlic supplement daily reduced the number of colds by 63% compared with placebo according to a large 12-week .
  • Garlic has potent protective and detoxifying properties. The sulfur present in garlic showed to decrease heavy metals in kidneys, liver, and bones and protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity. A four week study in car battery plant employess who are typicallly exposed to lead found that garlic reduced lead levels in the blood by 19%. Garlic also reduced common complaints linked to toxicity such as headaches. concluded that garlic seems safer clinically and as effective as the drug d-penicillamine.
  • As a powerful antioxidant, it has the ability to prevent damage to the liver by eliminating toxins (hepatoprotective ability).

 

Milk thistle protects the liver and helps detoxifying after surgery

milk thistle, a powerful natural detoxifier
milk thistle, a powerful natural detoxifier

Another valueable herbal hepatoprotectant is milk thistle (Silybum marianum).

The active ingredient in milk thistle is known as silymarin, a chemical extracted from the seeds.

Since the liver is subject to heavy strain during surgery milk thistle is often recommended by naturopaths and medical professionals who know their fair share about herbal medicine.

Milk thistle acts as a potent antioxidant that also increases levels of glutathione which is a detoxifying substance.

Because of these properties the herb aids and protects the liver in recovering from the toxic damage caused by general anesthetics and other drugs.

 

“there is considerable evidence from studies in animals that milk thistle can protect the liver from numerous toxins.”

 

Two herbal remedies used to manage bruising and swelling

Nearly any surgery, from bariatric surgery to cosmetic surgery, may cause bruising and swelling. Although a normal part of the healing process bruising and swelling can be quite prominent and when excessive minimizing is necessary for to enhance overall recovery.

The reason is that excessive swelling can lead to complications such as incision breakdown, incision infection, and delayed overall post-op healing. To manage post-surgical swelling and bruising the two botanicals bromelain and quercetin are often used by doctors in Germany.

Bromelain, present in pineapple stems is a potent enzyme that acts as an anti-inflammatory. Quercetin is a plant flavanoid derived from fruits also is a strong anti-oxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.

Clinical studies show echinacea (Echinacea spp.) and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) to enhance wound healing.

 

Before you start supplementing

Always inform your doctor about the herbal supplements you are taking. If you plan on taking herbal substances to speed your post-op recovery also talk to your doctor before you start.

Various herbal supplements could interact with pharmaceutical drugs you are already taking such as sedatives, NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen, blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, and aspirin.

Herbal supplements themselves can also interact with other supplements. Chamomille for example could interact with garlic, ginkgo biloba, valerian, St. Johns wort, and other botanicals.

Each herb may also have its own side effects. Each person is different so keep in mind that taking high doses may have adverse effects. Therefore it is often recommended to start with lower doses and build this up gradually.

If you are a otherwise healthy patient that is not taking pharmaceuticals and without complicating medical conditions even then it’s best to check with your physician.

 

Images:  garlic, .

5 Responses to 5 Herbs To Take After Surgery – Here’s What Studies Say About Post-Op Herbal Healing

  1. My son was shot 9 times on 10-14-2016. I’m searching for an herbal remedy to give him orally to promote healing and increase muscle mass. He had severe damage to his intestines, had liver damage and had to have his right kidney removed. Due to the intestinal damage, he lost 57lbs because he couldn’t eat anything. He only got a nutritional bolus thru IV because the feeding tube leaked everything back into his abdomen.

    • If he is OK to eat now: it sounds like his body is desperate for the highest quality nutrition it can get, in the easiest to digest form available. I strongly recommend green vegetable smoothies (NOT FRUIT, which have enzymes that are difficult for a damaged gut to digest and tons of natural sugars, which is also difficult for a damaged gut to clear properly). My favorite is “Green Juice” by Organifi, . It is very low in natural sugars, and yet, it’s pretty delicious. Obviously, he needs to regain muscle mass pronto, so I would supplement with whey protein, I get mine from Amazon.com “Grass Fed Whey Protein,” by Pure Label Nutrition. Make sure he gets some honest-to-God sun and fresh air every day. Injury that vicious also embeds itself in the nervous system, and the gut produces more neurochemicals than the brain does. ALL of the feel good natural chemicals of the body are regulated or produced in the gut. So, it’s really important to handle the emotional and psychological trauma as well as the physical. There is an interesting weirdo therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique, a very gentle tapping or rubbing of specific acupuncture points on the body. I am a researcher by trade, and thought it sounded suspiciously “new agey” and pretty “out there” until I tried it, and IT WORKS! I had long-standing health issues that cleared up in a matter of hours. The best practitioner that I know does therapy sessions via Facebook. Her name is Johnna Goldenflame, at ; her e-mail is: ; or call (415) 746-9662.

  2. I’m having surgery to repair 2 hernia, remove a tumor and total hysterectomy…i need herbal pain reliever and herbs to speedy recovery…

  3. You may try looking into a simple weight gainer powder….lots of good calories, taken twice daily can add 10 lbs a month or more…usually hits a plateau affect between 30-50 pounds.
    But it’s a great start that works quickly

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