Bruises

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant activity. Laboratory and animal studies show H. italicum extracts and essential oil components can down-regulate inflammatory pathways and oxidative...

Instructions: These instructions follow mainstream aromatherapy safety guidance; they’re meant for intact skin and do not replace medical care for significant trauma.. First 24 hours after injur...

Warnings: Skin reactions are possible. Essential oils can cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis; alway...

Studies: Human clinical trials for bruises: None located. Systematic...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory + analgesic effects. Standardized comfrey root preparations reduce pain and swelling in blunt injuries (sprains/contusions) in clinical trials, likely via phenoli...

Instructions: What form: Cream/ointment/gel with comfrey root extract (often 10% extract; product labelling varies). EMA’s monograph describes semi-solid preparations for cutaneous use. e-lactan...

Warnings: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) & liver toxicity: Comfrey contains hepatotoxic, genotoxic PAs. For top...

Studies: Koll et al., 2004 (Phytomedicine) – Multicentre, randomized,...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory constituents. Arnica flowers contain sesquiterpene lactones (notably helenalin) and flavonoids that inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways (e.g., NF-κB and cytokines i...

Instructions: If you decide to try arnica, stick to licensed products and topical use only:. • Product & strength: Many over-the-counter bruise creams use arnica tincture at low concentrations (...

Warnings: Topical only on intact skin. Do not apply to broken/irritated skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Disco...

Studies: Direct bruise studiesLeu et al., 2010 (BJD) — Rater-blinded...

Why it works: Astringent + vasoconstrictive polyphenols (tannins): Witch hazel bark/leaf are rich in hydrolysable and condensed tannins (e.g., hamamelitannin, proanthocyanidins) that tighten tis...

Instructions: These are practical, evidence-aligned ways to apply witch hazel externally for an uncomplicated bruise:. Compress or dab. • Soak a cotton pad or clean cloth with witch hazel distil...

Warnings: External use only: Witch hazel distillate is an OTC astringent for skin-protectant uses; do not inge...

Studies: Bruise-specific or bruise-adjacent human dataPost-procedure...

Why it works: Slows bleeding under the skin (vasoconstriction) → smaller bruise & less swelling. Cold narrows local blood vessels and reduces capillary bleeding into tissues after trauma. Glos H...

Instructions: As soon as possible: apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin towel (never directly on skin). Mayo Clinic. Duration: cool the area for up to 20 minutes at a time, then remove for at lea...

Warnings: Don’t place ice directly on skin (risk of frostbite/ice burns); always wrap the pack. Limit each app...

Studies: Systematic reviews of cryotherapy for acute soft-tissue inju...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory + fibrinolytic actions. Bromelain down-modulates inflammatory mediators and appears to enhance fibrinolysis (breaking down fibrin), which can help resorb pooled b...

Instructions: Form & timing: For anti-inflammatory/bruise support, bromelain is taken orally on an empty stomach (between meals). Taking it with meals shifts the effect toward digestion rather t...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / interactions. Bromelain may increase bleeding risk (antiplatelet and fibrinolytic ef...

Studies: Rhinoplasty (bruising/ecchymosis): Randomized, double-blind,...

Why it works: Vitamin K is required for clotting factor activation, so topically it’s been explored to speed clearance of laser- or trauma-induced purpura. Mechanistically, formulations (includi...

Instructions: These practical steps reflect the dosing schedules used in the clinical trials plus common dermatology practice:. Start after the bruise forms (or immediately after the procedure t...

Warnings: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD):. Multiple case reports and regulatory reviews link phytonadione (...

Studies: Shah et al., 2002 (JAAD) – Randomized, double-blind, split-f...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory effects (plausible mechanism): Aloe gel contains polysaccharides (notably acemannan) and other constituents reported to modulate inflammatory pathways and macroph...

Instructions: These instructions are conservative and aligned with what dermatology/consumer-health references advise for topical aloe; they’re meant as adjuncts to standard bruise care, not rep...

Warnings: Allergic/irritant contact dermatitis: Patch-test first; discontinue if rash, itching, or swelling oc...

Studies: Post-surgical ecchymosis (periorbital “black eye” after cran...

Why it works: Stops micro-bleeding (hemostatic action): Lab and imaging studies show Yunnan Baiyao (YNBY) activates/aggregates platelets and shortens clotting time, which can reduce the small ve...

Instructions: Option A — Medicated “plaster” patch (most straightforward):. • Apply 1 patch to the bruised area; do not apply on wounds or irritated/damaged skin.. • Re-apply up to 3–4 times dai...

Warnings: Topical plaster (OTC label):. • External use only. Do not use on wounds, damaged/irritated skin.. •...

Studies: There are no large, high-quality randomized trials specifica...