Although painful, bruises are an inevitable aspect of being human. Damage to the tiny blood vessels beneath the skin occurs when a part of the body is struck forcefully and abruptly. Following that, the blood seeps into the surrounding tissues, leaving painful and unsightly black, blue, or purple stains behind. Bruises can appear minutes after a hard blow, but they can take up to three weeks to fully heal. Thankfully, there are numerous natural treatments available that promote quick bruise healing. The following are the best ones:
1. Arnica.
Arnica has been used for hundreds of
years to treat bruises and swelling. A member of the daisy family,
arnica can be purchased in gel, oil, or tablet form, and works best when
applied topically.
2. Pineapple & Papaya.
Pineapple and papaya
both contain powerful levels of bromelain, an enzyme that helps reduce
blood clots and swelling. Adding at least 500 milligrams of bromelain
each day will speed up the bruise healing process.
3. Vitamin K.
Vitamin K is an effective way to
treat blood clotting and tissue damage, and is found in dark leafy green
vegetables such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Try to consume as
much as possible in your diet, and for even faster results apply vitamin
K cream directly to the bruised area.
4. Vinegar + Warm Water.
Vinegar is an extremely
effective way to break up the blood that pools under bruised skin.
Wellness guru David Wolfe recommends applying a solution of vinegar and
warm water as soon as the bruise begins to appear, and repeat as often
as desired.
5. Herbal Tea Compress.
Teas contain potent
tannins that shrink swollen tissue and constrict blood vessels. Both
black and green teas work, with chamomile and lavender a particularly
popular combination. Dip the tea bag in hot water and press directly to
the bruise. If steeping loose tea leaves dip a cloth in the tea water
and apply instead.
6. Onion.
Onions have natural anti-inflammatory
properties, and help to repair damaged skin cells, as well as relieve
pain. Home Remedy Hacks recommends extracting onion juice and applying
it directly on the bruise, allowing the skin to absorb the juice
completely.
7. Bilberry.
Bilberry contains antioxidants
called anthocyanosides that strengthen the blood vessels and balance
vital collagen, which is necessary for skin renewal. Bruises form due to
blood that has seeped out of broken capillaries and into surrounding
tissues, rendering it necessary to strengthen the walls of your
capillaries to speed up healing and prevent further damage. Bilberry
extract is available in liquid or supplemental pill form at most major
health food stores.
8. Parsley.
Parsley not only controls blood clot
and inflammation of bruising, but helps in pain reduction. Crush a
handful of parsley leaves and press onto the bruise. Wrap a bandage
around the area to keep the parsley in place. Repeat after a few hours.
There are a multitude of natural household remedies for treating a bruise, often requiring you to go no further than your kitchen. Vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, vinegars, and even teas are extremely effective and easily accessible. Keep in mind, when healing a bruise it’s important to take the necessary steps as soon as possible.
The earlier you can treat the affected area the faster and more effective the results will be. Refrain from moving around more often than necessary after the bruise forms, as the damage will increase the more you walk, jump, or run. Try not to consume aspirin, as this could worsen the bruise and cause unpleasant side effects.