While immobilizing the broken bone is important (using a cast or splint) there are additional ways to support bone mending. Here are some of the ways we did this:

Nutrient-Dense Diet

Eating high-quality, nutrient-dense foods is one of the best ways to support bone health. It’s always best to get nutrients from food sources when possible. Here’s what to look for:

• Adequate calcium – And it doesn’t have to be from milk! Try leafy greens, sardines, fermented raw dairy, some nuts, and seeds. If you don’t eat dairy, there are still plenty of ways to get enough calcium.
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• Fat-soluble vitamins from foods – Try dairy and fermented vegetables.
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• Amino acids for collagen production – You can find amino acids in healthy protein sources such as pastured eggs.
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• Magnesium – As mentioned earlier, most foods that contain one nutrient also contain its antagonist nutrient. So, to get more magnesium, eat the foods listed for calcium. Other foods high in magnesium include dark chocolate, wild-caught seafood (especially salmon, mackerel, and tuna), and fruits like avocado and banana.
• Vitamin C foods – Find lots of vitamin C in fruits and vegetables — especially leafy greens, citrus & tropical fruits, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli.

If you eat a real food diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy protein, you will be in a great position to get all of these important nutrients to support your bone health.

But if you are faced with a broken bone, supplements may be needed to support bone mending. A quality calcium and magnesium supplement (in balance) may support the structure of the bone.

Sleep

I’ve written about the importance of getting adequate (and quality!) sleep before. It’s one of the big contributing factors to overall health. But it can also affect bone health indirectly through melatonin. You may already know that our bodies secrete melatonin (triggered by low light) to prepare the body for sleep.

Melatonin also acts as an antioxidant in the body, scavenging free radicals (and reducing inflammation) in bone cells. Melatonin also interacts with other hormones such as estrogen to affect bone remodeling. According to a 2013 analysis, melatonin may play a part in keeping bones strong because of these functions.

My best recommendations for getting great sleep are:

• Eat a healthy diet with antioxidant-rich foods, healthy fats, and proteins.
• Develop a healthy sleep routine – get to bed early!
• Improve your sleeping environment by shutting out the light, lowering the temperature, and choosing more natural bedding.

Sleep is so important for overall health. I make it a priority to go to bed early and get enough sleep each night. I use blue light-blocking glasses to help me to get to bed on time too.

Getting better sleep may be a long process but I promise it’s worth it!

LEARN MORE:How to use Eggshells To Eliminate Pain in Bone And Joint, Grow Hair And Nails

Stress Reduction

Just like not getting enough sleep, stress can have a huge impact on health. In fact, it could have more of an impact than diet and exercise! Stress can mess with hormones and affect many functions in the body including fertility and sleep. It can also affect bone density. A 2013 study on male cyclists found that higher levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) reduced bone mineral density. This is because cortisol blocks calcium absorption and even triggers the metabolization of bone minerals.

Stress is a big part of modern life, but there are some simple things you can do to reduce it:

• Get enough sleep – While stress can make getting enough sleep difficult, the opposite is true as well.
• Reduce toxins – Both in foods and in the environment. Toxins stress the body and cause the liver and kidneys to not work optimally.
• Find ways to relax – Yes, it can feel like just another thing on the list but it’s important. Even if you can only start with 15 seconds of mindful breathing, find a way to do it. There are a number of apps that can help with this.

You may start with just a few minutes of stress reduction each day but small changes can lead to huge improvements over time.

READ MORE:How to Use Bay Leaves to Relieve Stress Anxiety Instantly

Herbs

Herbs are another natural remedy that can help mend a broken bone as well as strengthen healthy bones. These are usually used in a poultice on the affected area or taken internally.

Herbs often used traditionally to help mend bones that are also supported in scientific studies include:

• Bone Setter (Cissus quadrangularis) – has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is protective against oxidative stress and liver issues.
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• Indian Sarsaparilla (Cryptolepis buchanani) – rich in vitamin C, this herb also has been used in traditional medicine for generations for bone breaks, osteoporosis and a number of other ailments.
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• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale or Symphytum uplandica) – also known as knit bone, comfrey has a long tradition of use for bone fractures.

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Other herbs that have traditionally been used for broken bones are:

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Nettle (Urtica dioica)
• Bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea)
• Arnica (Arnica montana)
• Wild Betel (Piper sarmentosum)
• Horsetail (Equisetum species) – contains a considerable amount of calcium and other minerals
• Piplie (Piper longum)
• Dan Sheng (Salvia miltiorrhiza)

Consult with a naturopath or herbalist to find out which herbs would be best to use.

I haven’t personally used all of the herbs above and wouldn’t give them to children without checking with a doctor. Our herbal regimen looked more like:

• tea made from comfrey, horsetail, and/or nettle while the bone is mending
• a vitamin C-rich herb like hibiscus (it is easy to find this as a tea as well)
• comfrey poultices or liniment wraps directly on the injury (if allowed by a doctor)

ALSO READ:3 Natural Ways to Treat IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Naturally

Healthy Lifestyle

Of course, a healthy lifestyle is important for overall health, but it’s also really important for bone health specifically. Exercise is one easy way to ensure bone strength. According to a Harvard.edu article, bone-strengthening exercises should include weight-bearing exercises (walking, swimming, tennis, etc), resistance training (weight machines, pushups, etc), and stretching.

Of course, consult your doctor to discuss what kind of exercise is best for you while your bone mends. Read on to find out what to use for broken bones.

LEARN MORE:How to Increase Bone Strength Naturally: 10 Natural Tips to Strong Healthy Bones

Effective Natural Remedies For Broken Bones

One natural remedy that can be used for a broken bone is a poultice. A poultice is a soft, moist mass of natural ingredients that are applied directly to the skin to relieve pain and inflammation.

Here's how to make a poultice for a broken bone:


Ingredients: