Help with Dr's recommendations. (tendonitis)

So after a CT scan on my collar bone I saw the Dr today who says yes the tendons are inflamed but there is nothing they can do about it and to try dietary supplements, like rosa rugosa and ginger. (and a referral back to the department that did the op on my shoulder in the first place) Now this shoulder has been bad for 2 years has had over 18 months of physio and an operation and is almost the same as it was at the beginning.

I looked up these supplements and well it's a minefield every man and his dog is selling stuff, and with the rose it seems to just be powdered hips, If I get a move on I can pick my own hips, we've only had 1 light frost sofar and they grow all over here and are considered invasive so no one will complain if I pick in the national park. But how much would be enough for a dose? I use a lot of ginger in cooking, but how much would I need to possibly do anything for inflammation? the same with turmeric or any other plant you wonderful people can think up.

Skandi, that sounds rough to have going on for so long. I think supporting the body and getting that inflammation down with plants is a great idea, more thoughts on that in a moment. I do wonder though..what is making the tendons inflamed? I would look at that first, since anti-inflammatories won't help if the cause of the inflammation remains. If there are any repetitive motions you do, postural issues, tension and/or imbalances in the muscles that might be putting extra strain elsewhere, it is really helpful to address those things. Gentle yoga, massage and even just letting it rest can often go a long way in that regard. Restorative or Hatha yoga would be probably be best suited to helping the connective tissues. I can suggest some free videos for that, if that would be helpful.

As far as plants to help with tendon inflammation, my go to for such things is Solomon's Seal root (Polygonatum biflorum). The tincture works well, 10-20 drops, 2-3 times a day, or 3-5, if you can. I have had good luck starting at the low end of the dosage. You can also apply the tincture directly to the skin. I like it because it seems to really help bring moisture into connective tissue, thereby restoring pliability. So it will help whether connective tissue is too tight or too loose. It has helped me greatly with DeQuervain's tenosynovitis and knee pain when not much else did. I also have had great luck with comfrey salve.

The studies using rose hip powder for various inflammatory conditions all seem to have used 5g of LitoZin brand rose hip powder a day. Fresh rose hips would need more, 10 or 15g after the seeds are removed. Do you have scales that can weigh that small an amount? Really, I'm not sure the amount needs to be super accurate. A couple of cups of rose hip tea or two big teaspoons of rose hip syrup may well be equivalent amounts.

Ginger capsules available commercially say they're equivalent to 14 or 15g of fresh ginger.

In my experience resting the affected area and discontinuing whatever exercise caused the injury is the best medicine. Short term relief can be obtained by taking a couple Ibuprofen or an off brand, it will reduce the inflammation but not cure you. I usually eat something high in protein and fat when I am dealing with a muscle or tendon injury. It just seems like it is when I need.

But I'm just a Carpenter, not a doctor.