Eucommia for Your Aching Back and Joints

Traditional Chinese medical practitioners use eucommia bark for back and joint pain, especially in the hips and knees, and also to strengthen bones, tendons and ligaments. Eucommia helps heal tissue that is slow to mend after an injury or that has been weakened through stress. Western studies with rats confirm that both the leaves and the bark of eucommia contain a compound that encourages the development of collagen, an important part of connective tissues such as skin, tendons and ligaments. Although it can be used alone, eucommia bark is most often used in combination with other supportive herbs. The only practical way to take eucommia is as a supplement from a licensed provider. Patients taking blood pressure medications should consult with their health-care provider before taking eucommia or formulas that contain it.