10 Home Remedies For Bruises That Speeds The Recovery

A Bruise is the result of an injury that could have been caused by an accidental fall or being hit by someone or something. Bruises are always accompanied with pain, which decreases when the healing process begins. While the body has the ability to heal small bruises by itself, severe bruising needs medication. Occasionally you may encounter a bruise that is rather persistent and refuses to subside, which is when you need to consult your doctor. Otherwise, there are several home remedies for bruises.

The medical term for bruises is contusions, and the spot on the skin (where the injury occurred) turns blue first, and then black. Tiny blood vessels get crushed by the impact and cause blood to leak into the neighboring tissues lying beneath the skin. While the severity of the bruise depends on the extent of the injury and the sensitivity of the skin, it normally heals within 10 to 12 days, however, applying any of the home remedies helps ease the pain and may help remove the scars as well.

Causes of Bruises

• Injury due to any accident
• Injury occurring while playing any game
• Injuries that can occur while exercising
• The skin being very fragile, can lead to frequent bruising

Symptoms of Bruises

• Reddish blue mark on the skin that turns black
• Pain (depending on the severity) and swelling in the bruised area

10 Best Home Remedies For Bruises

There are several easy home remedies for bruises, and most of them are for treating subcutaneous bruises occurring are superficial in nature. Here are 10 best home remedies for bruises:

10. Ice Pack

Procedure:

• Take a handful of ice cubes from your fridge.
• Bundle the ice cubes in a polyethylene bag.
• Place the ice pack against the bruise for a few minutes.
• Repeat the process as many times as required until pain subsides.

How does this work?

Although the bruise may be superficial there can be a bit of bleeding in the underlying tissue. The internal bleeding is what causes the pain and swelling as well. An ice pack works by inducing the body to react to the bruise and helps in stopping the bleeding into the tissues and simultaneously controls the swelling as well.

Moreover, as ice is much below the body temperature, it causes a temporary numbness in the area and prevents the stiffening of the muscles, thus giving relief from the pain. Ice packs are one of the best home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

9. Lavender Essential Oil

Procedure:

• Take two to three drops of undiluted Lavender Essential Oil.
• Apply it evenly on the bruise.
• Rub the oil so that it gets absorbed.
• Repeat the process twice daily until the bruise heals.

How does this work?

Lavender essential oil has been recommended for several illnesses and skin afflictions as well. It has a soothing effect on the bruise and helps with the healing process. The oil has good analgesic properties and gives instant relief from the pain.

Lavender essential oil also has some great anti-inflammatory properties that help control the inflammation and hastens the healing process. Lavender essential oil is one of the best home remedies for bruising.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Procedure:

• Mix 3 to 4 drops of undiluted apple cider vinegar in a half a cup of warm water.
• Apply the mixture on the bruises. Let it sit for a couple of hours.
• Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

How does this work?

Apple cider vinegar is often recommended as a home remedy for a plethora of illnesses because of its versatility and effectiveness as a curative. Apple cider vinegar enhances the blood flow in the affected area and quickens the healing process. It also prevents the blood from collecting in the bruised area and clotting. Apple cider vinegar is the perfect answer to the question “how to treat bruises?”

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

7. Epsom Salt

Procedure:

• Take one cup of Epsom Salt. Tie it up in a soft muslin cloth.
• Fill a bucket (half) with warm water. Drop the bundled Epsom Salt in the water.
• After a few minutes soak the bruised area.
• Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

How does this work?

Epsom salt, which is a natural mineral, is found abundantly in the natural springs located in Epsom (which gives it the name) in Surrey County, the UK. Epsom salt has loads of magnesium sulphate, which has a soothing effect on the bruised area and helps reduce the inflammation. Epsom salt helps in recovering from the bruises faster as it hastens the healing process by acting on the bruise. Epsom salt is one of the best home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

6. Aloe Vera Gel

Procedure:

• Cut one or two fresh leaves of Aloe Vera. Remove the thorny edges on either side.
• Remove the skin on the rounded side and scrape the gel.
• Apply the gel on the bruises evenly. Let it sit for a while.
• Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

How does this work?

Aloe Vera is a medicinal herb that has been recommended for various skin afflictions. It is used extensively by the cosmetics industry as it is good for the skin and hair. Aloe Vera helps boost the immune system.

It is also an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and helps contain the inflammation and reduces the pain simultaneously. The soothing effect that the gel has on the bruise works as a natural pain killer, doing away with the need to take allopathic medication for the pain. Aloe Vera is one of the best natural home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

5. Arnica Oil

Procedure:

• Take a few drops of undiluted Arnica Oil.
• Apply evenly on the bruises.
• Let it sit for a couple of hours.
• Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

How does this work?

Arnica essential oil is extracted from the Arnica herb, which has amazing medicinal properties. It has an analgesic effect on the bruise and gives instant relief from the pain. Moreover, Arnica oil has the property to enhance the blood circulation and ensures that fresh blood flows through the affected areas. Hence, there is no clotting of blood, and the pain also is reduced considerably. Arnica essential oil is one of the best home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

4. Witch Hazel

Procedure:

• Boil 2 to 3 teaspoons of Witch Hazel powder in 2 glasses of water.
• Let it steep for 10 minutes. Take a few balls of surgical cotton.
• Dip a cotton ball in the solution. Apply it on the bruised area.
• Repeat the process twice daily for a week.

How does this work?

Witch Hazel is an amazing medicine that is very powerful and helps cure various maladies. It is recommended for treating emergency cuts and wounds and all types of bruises as it has a soothing effect and offers almost instant relief from the pain. Moreover, Witch Hazel has great anti-inflammatory properties and helps contain the inflammation. Witch Hazel is one of the best home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

3. Fresh Ginger

Procedure:

• Take a finger of fresh ginger. Wash it and dice it to fine pieces.
• Apply the crushed ginger on the bruised area.
• Cover it with a bandage or surgical tape. Let it sit overnight.
• Repeat the process for a week.

How does this work?

Ginger is a wonder herb and is used extensively in cooking by various cultures in the world. Apart from the digestive properties, it has excellent curative properties as it is a great antibiotic and helps cure wounds and contusions. Moreover, ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help contain the inflammation caused by bruising. Ginger is one of the best natural home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

2. Turmeric Powder

Procedure:

• Take two teaspoons of organic Turmeric powder. Sprinkle some water and make a thick paste.
• Apply the Turmeric paste on the bruise. Take a small piece of surgical gauze and cover it.
• Let it sit overnight. Repeat the process for 3 to 4 days.

How does this work?

Turmeric is wonder spice and one of the best natural antiseptic agents that can cure the severest of infections. Apart from its antibacterial properties, Turmeric also has excellent anti-inflammatory qualities that help reduce the inflammation immediately. It is the curcumin content in Turmeric that hastens the healing process and helps get relief from the pain caused by bruises. Turmeric powder is probably the best natural bruises remedy.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

1. Fenugreek Seeds

Procedure:

• Soak a handful of dried Fenugreek seeds in water for 3 to 4 hours.
• Grind the Fenugreek seeds into a fine paste. Apply the paste on the bruised area.
• Bandage the bruise and let it sit overnight.
• Repeat the process for 2 to 3 days.

How does this work?

Fenugreek has been recommended for stomach ulcers and for plugging loose motion. It has some amazing medicinal properties and helps get relief from the pain caused by bruises. The spicy seeds have natural analgesic qualities apart from being anti-inflammatory. The swelling caused by bruising is reduced and there is relief from the pain as well. Fenugreek is one of the easiest home remedies for bruises.

The Remedy is not Good if:

• The pain is too severe and the pain is unbearable. In such cases consult your doctor immediately.

Additional Tips

• Always keep the bruised area at an elevation to prevent the blood from collecting around the surrounding tissues.
• Don’t place unnecessary strain on the bruised area.
• If there is a raw wound, wash it with warm water first.
• If the bruised area appears to be infected, consult your doctor as you may need an ATS shot.