Clinical studies have proven several essential oils for bruises are effective treatments.
Reduce the swelling and shorten the healing process by 36.3%!
While bruises heal within fourteen days without the need for medical treatment, administering a few remedies helps ease the pain and encourage fast fading.
The next discussion highlights essential oils that help heal bruises, as well as a few homemade solutions for people who prefer natural methods.
Table of Contents
Essential Oils for Bruises
1. Witch Hazel
It has astringent properties, making it great for treating bruises, acne, and hemorrhoids.
Witch hazel originates from the leaves and bark of Hamamelis virginiana, a shrub native to North America regions.
In the past, Native Americans recognized the plant for medicinal properties and prepared a decoction of the boiled parts to treat tumors and skin irritation.
The witch hazel makes a perfect remedy for healing bruises as it works by contracting the body tissues and reducing bleeding.
This way, bruises fade fast, and the underlying skin also heals. Its application is ideal for swollen bruises, but it can be used to treat minor injuries.
How to use it
- Apply a cold pack of ice on the bruised area to reduce inflammation
- Add a few drops of chamomile or lavender oil to hazel lotion
- Remove the ice pack and spread the cream on the affected area
- Apply the treatment two to three times a day until the bruise fades
2. Arnica Ointment
Preparations of Arnica roots and yellow flowers have been used for centuries to treat muscle pain, sprains, bruises, and other disorders.
In fact, a German poet- Johann Wolfgang-prepared arnica tea to treat chest pains.
The tea is considered extremely poisonous and should not be taken by the mouth.
Arnica has anti-inflammatory chemicals known as sesquiterpene lactones that reduce swelling.
It also contains flavonoids that help strengthen blood vessels by reducing leakage of the blood underneath the skin, which occurs after bruising.
A study conducted in 2010 confirmed the traditional role of arnica in treating bruises and is considered more efficient than the vitamin K formulation.
In another research, the homeopathic arnica cream was found to help athletes who had sports injuries recover fast.
The homeopathic form of arnica is also used to reduce postoperative bruising and swelling in patients after who have had cosmetic surgery.
Arnica is prepared in various forms; gels, creams, and ointments, which when applied on the skin, help heal bruises.
You may add other essential oils like tea tree, cypress, and lavender, among others to arnica ointment to enhance activity on the affected area.
3. Cypress Oil
Its scientific name is Cupressus sempervirens, an evergreen tree with small, woody cones.
Its unique botanical features- tolerance to air current, drought, and atmospheric gases, as well as its well-developed root system help the cypress tree to flourish in alkaline and acidic soils.
The stem, twigs, and needles of the cypress tree are steam-distilled to produce the oil.
Its main constituents include careen, limonene and alpha-pinene that have antibacterial, antiseptic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, and stimulating properties.
Cypress oil not only heals bruises but also makes an effective remedy for arthritic joints and varicose veins.
It ranks among the best essential oils for treating traumatic soft tissue injuries like sprains and severe edema caused by aggressive cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction.
The oil carries astringent and hemostatic properties that prevent excessive flow of blood and promote clotting of blood by tightening the tissues.
Cypress oil also has antiseptic properties carried by the camphene component that make it ideal for healing internal and external wounds and bruises.
A 2014 study showed that cypress oil could also be used as a cosmetic ingredient in the making of soap due to its anti-bacterial properties.
The oil is also used to treat stretch marks, reduce cellulite, sores, pustule, pimples, and skin eruptions.
How to Use it
- Apply a pack of ice on the bruised area
- Remove after a few minutes and apply the cypress oil on the area
- Use it several times a day until the bruise fades
4. Rosemary Oil
Considered a sacred plant among the Romans, Greeks, Hebrews, and Egyptians, the rosemary plant offers lots of uses apart from the usual aromatic properties on foods.
Rosemary has a characteristic woody, evergreen scent and is native to the Mediterranean who used it as folk medicine to improve memory, relieve muscle aches and pains, as well as soothe digestive problems.
Its ability to relieve pain has resulted in its extensive use in treating muscle pains, headaches, rheumatism, and arthritis.
People with bruises can massage the affected area with rosemary essential oil to relieve pain fast.
It is also known to stimulate the circulation of blood, thus aiding in the fast healing of wounds.
Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory qualities, making it ideal for relieving joint aches and sprains.
Application
For application, mix three drops of rosemary essential oil with a drop of peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus oil in twenty drops of carrier oil and apply the affected area.
Another alternative involves mixing four drops of rosemary oil with two drops of marjoram or lime essential oil in ten drops of carrier oil.
5. Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum is a natural medicinal plant used to make the essential oil, which boasts a range of uses.
To begin with, it aids in anti-inflammation due to various mechanisms; free radical scavenging activity, the inflammatory enzyme, and its corticoid-like effects.
Helichrysum is also native to the Mediterranean region where it was used for different medicinal properties for decades.
There are more than 600 species of the Helichrysum italicum and is also known by other names like Curry plant, Everlasting, and Immortelle.
Today, modern science validates the use of Helichrysum oil, which carries antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, and antifungal properties.
It explains its use in healing wounds and bruises.
Research shows that the oil reduces muscle pain by minimizing inflammation and swelling while enhancing the circulation of blood.
As such, it aids in the healing of joints, muscle tissue, and nerves, making it the perfect remedy for bruises and exercise-related injuries, as well as pain-related symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Application
- Add five drops of helichrysum oil to ten drops of carrier oil
- Massage the blended oil to the bruised part twice a day
6. Frankincense Oil
The oil has been used for decades for its therapeutic, hygienic, medicinal, and spiritual purposes.
It originated from the gum resins of Boswellia tree and extracted through steam distillation.
Apart from the symbolic religious significance throughout history, frankincense helps rid of inflammation, skin diseases, respiratory problems, and gynecological conditions.
Today, frankincense oil occurs in a variety of ways that have different chemical compositions- Boswellia Serrata, Boswellia Frereana and Boswellia Carterii. The Boswellia Carterii variety is used to produce the oil used for clinical studies.
Frankincense oil aids in the healing of wounds and also promotes pain relief.
Additionally, since it promotes relaxation, the oil makes an excellent remedy for treating bruises, especially those that affect an extensive area of the body.
Application
- Add two drops of the essential oil to half a teaspoon of carrier oil
- Rub the mixture on the bruised part three times a day
7. Lemon Grass Oil
Apart from its characteristic aromatic properties common in Thailand, lemongrass essential oil helps relieve muscle pain, ward off insects, aid in digestion, reduce body aches, and kill bacteria.
Lemongrass belongs to the grass species of Poaceae and has a fresh lemon scent with earthy undertones that are believed to aid in relaxation.
The essential oil is a rich source of vitamins A, C, B1, B6, B2, B5 and B3, as well as folate.
It also provides essential minerals like phosphorus, copper, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, and zinc.
Its astringent properties make it ideal for healing bruises and wounds by enhancing the cessation of blood.
For the application, mix the lemongrass oil with sweet almond oil and massage the bruised area.
Lemongrass essential oil is available in the market and is often dispensed through steam distillation.
However, for people who have lemongrass growing in their backyards, they can quickly make the oil by infusing it with a carrier oil.
Note that the oil occurs in different forms- an inhaler, cream, vaporizer, or capsule that can be ingested. As such, it is essential to use it depending on your health condition.
For example, if you are bruised, massage a diluted solution to the affected area.
However, if you want to reduce stress, diffuse the oil using a vaporizer.
Conclusion
With this guide, you don’t have to experience the pain and discomfort that comes with bruises.
You can get rid of them in a matter of a week instead of the long fourteen days.
However, when using essential oils as remedies for bruises, you should pay attention to signs of skin irritation and adverse reactions as the skin tends to more sensitive than usual.