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

Acute inflammation treatments

An Example Bruise Compress "Recipe"

Kathi Keville (Author of Herbs for Health and Healing; Rodale, 1996) mentions the following bruise compress "recipe":

1 Tablespoon of one of these: tincture of arnica, St. John's wort flowering tops, witch hazel bark or chamomile flowers
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 Tablespoons cold water

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

DISCLAIMER: The content on this website is intended for informational, and educational purposes only and not as a substitute for the medical advice, treatment or diagnosis of a licensed health professional. The author of this website is a researcher, not a health professional, and shall in no event be held liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive or other damages arising from any use of the content of this website. Any references to health benefits of specifically named products on this site are this website author's sole opinion and are not approved or supported by their manufacturers or distributors.