Bruises
Natural Remedies

Bruises - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Aug 19, 2024
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Bruises, those familiar blue-black marks, are among the most frequent minor injuries we encounter. Though often harmless, their appearance and occasional pain can be bothersome. Fortunately, there are natural remedies, like vitamin C, aloe vera, and bilberry extract, that can both treat and prevent these unsightly blemishes.

What Triggers A Bruise?

Bruising occurs when an external force or trauma causes small blood vessels beneath the skin to rupture, releasing blood into surrounding tissues. This results in the characteristic discolored patch on the skin. Some individuals, due to factors like thin skin or certain medications, may bruise more easily. In rare cases, frequent and unexplained bruising may indicate a more serious health condition, like a clotting disorder.

Natural Approaches to Heal & Prevent Bruises

While most bruises heal independently, specific natural remedies can speed up the process and alleviate associated discomfort:

Vitamin C 

Renowned health expert Dr. Weil recommends vitamin C for its bruise-healing properties. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C fortifies capillaries and maintains skin elasticity. Consider incorporating a daily dose of 200mg of vitamin C to harness its benefits.

Aloe Vera

Widely known for its soothing properties, aloe vera also earns Dr. Weil's endorsement for bruise treatment. By reducing inflammation, it accelerates the healing process. For optimal results, apply aloe vera gel directly to the bruise.

Bilberry Extract

Supported by medical studies, bilberry extract is rich in anthocyanosides – powerful antioxidants that curb bruising by enhancing collagen production and fortifying capillaries. A daily intake of 160mg of bilberry extract is recommended for effectiveness.

Continue reading to learn which natural remedies helped Earth Clinic readers heal a bruise quickly! Let us know what works for you.


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Essential Oils

Posted by Julie (Melbourne) on 12/05/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Lavender Essential Oil for Bruising and Impact Injuries

A few years ago, friend told me that a large ceramic water urn fell off a table onto her big toe. It immediately started to change colour and the pain was incredible. Someone had a bottle of lavender essential oil with him and told her to apply that straight away. She placed it all over and under her toe and shortly the colour started to return to normal and the pain receded. She had no bruising and no more pain!

Shortly after, I seriously jammed my finger, right on the nail. It was already turning blue when I applied lavender oil and to my delight, the pain receded and instead of the whole nail being blue, I had one spot about the size of a pin-head. I applied the oil three times during that day only. There was no pain or pressure on the finger at all after the first application.

One day, I was talking with a friend and we heard a bang and a heavy metal door had slammed on her 10 year-old daughter's finger. She was in a great deal of pain and was crying bitterly, hardly able to breath. I asked her and her mum if they would mind if I put some lavender oil on it. They happily agreed. It is so good, I carry it in my handbag wherever I go. I took out my little bottle and I applied it all around the impact site, top and bottom. It was already blue but within a few minutes she said it was feeling a lot better and off she went to play with the other children. That afternoon, before I left, I put some more on it and by that time, it wasn't blue and she smiled as she said it wasn't hurting any more.

I have read the comments on lavender oil causing breast enlargement in young boys, but I also read opposing comments that pointed out that this came from bad science and assumptions and therefore not a sound enough reason to "throw out the baby with the bathwater", in this case, the Godsend, lavender essential oil.

I have used it also for burns from boiling water, steam, oven trays, hot cast iron pans, etc. Each time it has removed the pain and prevented blisters or removed those which had already formed.

It is truly amazing!!!


Black Tea Bag

Posted by Jasmine (Chicago, Illinois Usa) on 12/16/2010
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

As the mom of a four year old, I've dealt with every type of bump, bruise, pinch, burn and cut imaginable. And for everyone I use one simple remedy. A black tea bag. Any brand will do, but makes sure its good quality and fresh. Great thing about it is, I can slip it in a ziplock back and throw them in my pocket, car or purse and forget about it until an injury occurs. Dunk the tea bag once or twice in hot water if available and blow on it or wave it in the air to get it to cool down. If there is no hot water, hot faucet water works great. And if that's unavailable, just wet it with room temperature water until the liquid coming off of it turns brown. Then apply as a poultice. You may need to wet it again whenever it dries. It takes the pain out, eliminates swelling, and quickens healing.

My daughter is so spoiled with this remedy, she thinks that "owies" are "fixed" by mommy and comes straight to me for any little hurt. If it's in an ackward or large area, throw 3 bags of tea in a hot mug of water for 3-5min, cool it down with ice cubes after and use a rag or paper towel to apply it (be sure you dont like the rag because it will stain). Its important to use this remedy asap. The sooner its applied after the injury, the better and more dramatic the results. After the tea poultice or compress:

(1)if its a nasty bruise, I'll dress it with a thin layer of castor oil and wrap it up.

(2)If its an open cut, I'll dab it with raw honey and cover it with a cartoon bandaid (cartoons optional).

(3)If its a bad burn I'll put the tea poultice over the burn, place a piece of plastic wrap over it and wrap an ace bandage around that. This worked for me on a 2nd and 3rd degree burns I received from a very hot lightbulb. It wouldn't stop stinging until I used the tea. I fell asleep with the ace bandage on, woke up 2-3hrs later with the pain 100% gone and the best part yet, when it healed it didn't scar!

Also, for those lovely times when your child slams there hand in a door or cabinet, I brew the 3 bags in a wide mouth cup, cool it with ice cubes (to a luke warm/cool temp) and have her stick her whole hand in it until she tells me it stopped hurting (usually 5-20min). If it doesnt stop hurting, I would know she may have actually broken something (although thankfully its never been serious). I figured out the black tea bag remedy out of desperation when burning myself years ago on that light bulb. After that, I began experimenting on my own cuts and bruises. Since my daughter was born, its been the best thing I've ever tried, and it has yet to let me down.



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