Treatments for bruises and contusions ("Bone bruises")

Treatment choices for any type of bruise

Treatment goal is  to reduce inflammation / pain and promote healing:

• Apply cold compresses ASAP E.g. ice cubes or a package of frozen peas wrapped in a towel applied as soon as possible after injury will more quickly reduce swelling and pain
• DMSO (Topical).  Reduces inflammation
• Vitamin C (oral)Strengthens blood vessel connective tissue, treats internal hemorrhaging; Take a daily supplement of at least 500 mg.
• Arnica (oral and topical gel);

Take bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapple) for serious bruising or deeper soft-tissue injuriesSpeeds healing, possibly by assisting in clearing metabolic waste from injury. Take 200-400 mg of bromelain3 times / day 1 ½hours before or 3 hours after eating

• POULTICEMade with:

Comfrey leafKnown as "knit bone" for its ability to help fractures heal (contains anti-inflammatory substances and allantoin, which aids new cells growth). Time-tested remedy for bruises, sprains, cuts, arthitis. Poultice is made with fresh comfrey leaves, ground up to make a paste;

Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis) 40% - contains anti-inflammatory triterpenes having the ability to reduce pain and tenderness;

Arnica flower (Arnica montana) 30% - commonly used for centuries in Europe and now popularly recognized as an effective "tool"to handle pain in bruised, fractured, or broken bones, and also to heal muscle sprains;

St. John's Wort flowering tops (Hypericum perforatum) 30%Supposedly used in ancient Rome to heal soldiers'bruises and sprains;

ParsleyUsing crushed parsley leaves; reduces bruising and swelling, probably due to its rich content of healing nutrients, especially vitamin C and manganese;

• Lavender Oil (topical)For pain relief;
• Lemon slices (topical)Provide healing vitamin C;
• Raw onion slices (topical).   Only if skin is not broken!
• Witch Hazel (topical)Well-known for reducing swelling in tissue;
• Any other anti-inflammatory tactics

 Treatments for acute inflammation 

Bone bruises (Contusions)

• Apply ice pack.  To help reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels; the quicker you do this, the less swelling is likely to occur
• Manganese contained in fresh pineapple drink helps speed the healing of broken bonesManganese is a cofactor for bone-healing enzymes; additionally, pineapple is a good source of vitamin C and the natural anti-inflammatory bromelain.
• Extremely effective method for healing contusions is a comfrey leaf poultice or rub in comfrey oil
• Avoid stress on the bruised areaIf close to a joint you may need a brace.
• Take NSAID pain medication.   E.g aspirin, ibuprofen to reduce pain/inflammation/swelling
• No tobacco/nicotine.  A good blood flow is needed for healing, nicotine constricts blood vesssels

Bone bruises can take months to heal completely