Herbs Might Be Your Best Friend…
Have you suddenly developed that nagging shoulder pain that just won’t shift? Or maybe you have pain in your hips and sleeping is uncomfortable. Do you get pain in your knees from doing… well, nothing much? If you’re a woman in your 40s, 50s or beyond, and dealing with this kind of tendon trouble, you are not alone.
Many women in perimenopause and menopause experience something called tendinopathy: pain, stiffness, or weakness in the tendons, often without any major injury. The usual GP’s advice? Rest, take some ibuprofen, maybe get a steroid injection. Often you’ll be offered hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But here’s the thing: none of these are magic fixes—and some might even slow your recovery.
As a medical herbalist, I see women at this life stage with these exact issues. And I’ve learned this: herbs can make a serious difference, especially when conventional approaches fall short.
Let me explain why.
Oestrogen: The Hidden Link Between Hormones and Tendons
Our tendons are made of strong collagen fibres that need regular repair and remodelling to stay healthy. Oestrogen plays a big role in this behind the scenes because it helps regulate collagen synthesis and keeps our connective tissue supple. So, when oestrogen levels drop during menopause, that fine balance gets disrupted.
Suddenly, tendons that used to bounce back easily now feel tight, sore, and slow to heal. The classic tendinopathies involve the rotator cuff (shoulder), gluteal (hip), Achilles (heel), and tennis elbow—are all more common in menopausal women, even those who aren’t particularly sporty.
It’s not about overuse. It’s about under-support.
NSAIDs and Steroids: A Short-Term Patch?
I’m really not here to bash conventional medicine. But anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen or naproxen) only dull the pain. They don’t help your tendon heal, in fact research shows they may even delay collagen repair.
Steroid injections can do the same: a quick fix with long-term consequences. You might feel better for a week or two, only to end up back where you started, or maybe or worse. And while HRT can help some women, it’s not a guaranteed solution—and it’s not suitable or desirable for everyone.
So where does that leave you?
Where Herbs Come In
Herbal medicine isn’t about masking symptoms—it’s about nourishing tissue, supporting hormones, and gently nudging the body back toward balance.
For menopausal tendinopathy, I often use a combination of:
- Adaptogens like Rhodiola or Withania (Ashwagandha) to help buffer stress and support the endocrine system.
- Phytoestrogens like Red Clover or Sage to gently modulate hormonal shifts.
- Circulatory and anti-inflammatory herbs like Turmeric, Ginger, or Gotu kola to enhance blood flow and tissue repair.
- Topical applications: creams, oils, or salves with Comfrey, St John’s Wort, Arnica, or Solomon’s Seal to directly support local healing.
It’s rarely one-size-fits-all. The beauty of herbal medicine is that it allows us to treat the person, not just the tendon.
It’s Not Just Physical
There’s another layer to this too. Pain in midlife doesn’t show up in a vacuum. Menopause is a time of recalibration—physically, emotionally, spiritually. Women can feel stuck, unsupported, or disconnected as their bodies change.
Herbs can hold you in that space—not just structurally, but energetically. They remind the body how to heal, but they also help women to adapt mentally.
But Is There Evidence?
More than you’d think.
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been shown to reduce tendon inflammation and oxidative stress, and reduce pain in chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Unlike NSAIDs, it does not interfere with tissue regeneration and is generally safe for long-term use.
Withania improves muscle recovery and can also play a supportive role by regulating cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, which in high amounts impairs tissue repair and contributes to chronic inflammation. For women juggling busy lives, caring responsibilities, and hormonal shifts, this support is no small thing…
Gotu kola supports collagen synthesis. It contains bioactive compounds like asiaticoside and madecassoside, which promote fibroblast activity, leading to stronger tendons, ligaments, and skin. This herb also improves circulation, ensuring nutrients reach damaged tissues efficiently. By reinforcing the extracellular matrix, Gotu kola helps maintain tissue integrity, reducing the risk of degeneration and injury.
Comfrey contains compounds such as allantoin that stimulate cell proliferation and support collagen synthesis. Clinical trials have shown that topical comfrey preparations significantly reduce pain and improve mobility in soft tissue injuries, without the side effects associated with NSAIDs.
And we’ve barely scratched the surface.
It’s time we stopped seeing herbal medicine as quaint or unscientific. It’s clinically relevant, deeply supportive, and uniquely suited to the complex needs of women in midlife.
So, If You’re Struggling…
Tendinopathy is a slow healer. It requires rest, gentle movement, and support over weeks or months; it is not a quick fix. Herbs, unlike many conventional treatments, align with this timeline. They nourish, strengthen, and encourage regeneration. They don’t override the body’s signals but rather enhance its ability to respond and adapt.
Women suffering pain in menopause deserve more than a prescription for painkillers. Medicinal herbs can offer a gentler, smarter way to heal—not in opposition to medicine, but in deeper partnership with your body.
Because midlife isn’t the end of vitality. It’s just the start of something different.
