Bruising

Definition

Bruises are dark blue, purple or yellow-green marks on the skin usually attributed to body trauma.

Symptoms

During the initial bruising stage, the skin will first appear blue or purple. When the hemoglobin from the blood stops working, the color starts to become yellowish. Bruises are also associated with swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissues.

Cause

Bruising occurs after an injury or body trauma and is caused by blood leaking from the capillaries. The blood gathers just beneath the skin causing the skin discoloration.

Children are more prone to bruising because they, “rough-house,” or play outside. Discoloration also occurs more frequently in females than in males, which may be caused by estrogen levels in the body.

Bruises that do not diminish after a week, or are recurrent without cause, may be signs of bleeding disorders or vitamin C and bioflavonoid deficiencies. Frequent bruising may even be a sign of underlying stress. In such cases, it is important that you see your physician.

Natural Remedies

Aromatherapy: Place a few falls of rose oil on a gauze compress and place on the bruise two or three times a day. Other Essential oils that will heal bruises are camphor, fennel, and hyssop.

Diet: Eat a whole foods diet that emphasizes meals rich in ascorbic acid and bioflavonoids, such as fruits, green leafy vegetables, and buckwheat.

Blossom Essences: Rescue Remedy Cream® can be put on bruises (minimal four times each day).

Herbs: Apply a compress made with oil of hyssop or a mixture of tumeric and honey in order to bruise.

Homeopathy: Arnica, Ruta grav., Hypericum, Hamamelis, as well as Symphytum are all useful remedies for bruising. Calendula cream is another impressive homeopathic remedy for bruising.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists, and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential in any Hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions.

Juice Therapy: Drinking carrot and beet juice can provide necessary nutrients to help accelerate healing time.

Nutritional Supplements: Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, rutin, alfalfa tablets, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin E, and iron are all nutrients that may speed the healing of bruising.

Topical Treatment: A compress made of a chilled infusion of comfrey or sage, applied to the bruise helps ease the pain caused by bruising. Using a slice of raw onion on the bruise may also speed recovery time. Alternatively, you can utilize commercial witch hazel to heal the affected region.

Alternative Expert Care

If your symptoms persist despite following the remedies listed above, seek the assistance of a competent health professional. The following professional treatments have proven to be useful for treating and relieving the signs of bruising: Applied Kinesiology, Environment Medicine, Led Imagery, Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Osteopathy, and Chinese medicine. In addition, hyperbaric oxygen treatments are also very efficient for dealing with extensive discoloration due to accident, and injuries, etc.