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Natural Remedies for Effective Bruise Treatment & Prevention

| Modified on Aug 19, 2024
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Apple Cider Vinegar

Bruises, those familiar blue-black marks, are among the most frequent minor injuries we encounter. Though often harmless, their appearance and occasional pain can be bothersome. Fortunately, there are natural remedies, like vitamin C, aloe vera, and bilberry extract, that can both treat and prevent these unsightly blemishes.

What Triggers A Bruise?

Bruising occurs when an external force or trauma causes small blood vessels beneath the skin to rupture, releasing blood into surrounding tissues. This results in the characteristic discolored patch on the skin. Some individuals, due to factors like thin skin or certain medications, may bruise more easily. In rare cases, frequent and unexplained bruising may indicate a more serious health condition, like a clotting disorder.

Natural Approaches to Heal & Prevent Bruises

While most bruises heal independently, specific natural remedies can speed up the process and alleviate associated discomfort:

Vitamin C 

Renowned health expert Dr. Weil recommends vitamin C for its bruise-healing properties. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C fortifies capillaries and maintains skin elasticity. Consider incorporating a daily dose of 200mg of vitamin C to harness its benefits.

Aloe Vera

Widely known for its soothing properties, aloe vera also earns Dr. Weil's endorsement for bruise treatment. By reducing inflammation, it accelerates the healing process. For optimal results, apply aloe vera gel directly to the bruise.

Bilberry Extract

Supported by medical studies, bilberry extract is rich in anthocyanosides – powerful antioxidants that curb bruising by enhancing collagen production and fortifying capillaries. A daily intake of 160mg of bilberry extract is recommended for effectiveness.

Continue reading to learn which natural remedies helped Earth Clinic readers heal a bruise quickly! Let us know what works for you.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Apple Cider Vinegar

8 User Reviews
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Posted by Barb H (Somerest) on 11/25/2023
 ★★★★★

I fell flat on my face (nose mostly! ) healing clear some hay in a field. A cut my nose, plus it bled a lot. The surgery told me I had to go to hospital as I was beginning to bruise up. No broken bones and they put a couple of strip stitches on the cut. The next day, I was swollen all round my eyes, and big bags of soft bruising under the eyes. By the evening, the black bruising was also on my cheeks. I had put a cold flannel on them. Came on to your site and found these posts. Although I know that ACV is good for a lot of things, I had never heard it used for bruising or swellings, but thought I would try it. I found it nothing short of miraculous. The bubbles under my eyes contracted within 10 mins (yes they came back up again later) but when I put more ACV on, they went down again. Over the next couple of days the bruising sank lower until it was at and beyond my jawline, so I bathed my whole bruised face with the stuff. The healing has been incredible. Yes, I still have some patches of dark bruising, but most of my face is now the yellow colour of healing.

Thank you to all the posters who recommended this treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kate (Lowell, Ma) on 05/11/2016
 ★★★★★

Last week, I tripped walking up the stairs:( I ended up bruising my toe pretty badly to the point that I was walking with a limp because it hurt to put any weight on my foot. When I got home, I started by icing my foot, followed by an Epsom salt soak. It brought the swelling down a little, but not the pain or bruising. After the second day of pain, I came to Earth Clinic and saw rave reviews for ACV.

I soaked a cotton ball in ACV and left it on my toe for 20 minutes. I repeated this process twice a day and within 36 hrs, I was healed. No more pain; no more bruise. Thanks Earth Clinic!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Zark (Australia) on 09/02/2014
 ★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar works very well!

A very dear friend of mine was in the passenger seat during a car accident. Her face was quite badly cut and bruised when the airbag activated.

We recommended ACV and it worked beautifully. All the bruising and swelling cleared nicely. The first morning after the accident she woke with swelling around her mouth (the airbag hit her mouth and cut it quite badly), she applied the ACV and the swelling quickly went down. 3 weeks later and it is healing beautifully and it looks like there won't be any scars.

It stung a bit so we diluted it until tolerable, she found that it would only sting at first and then after a few minutes the sting would cease to be an issue when ACV was reapplied. ACV can dry the skin out a little (nothing major), in which case you just need some moisturiser.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karen (Calgary, CA) on 04/29/2014
 ★★★★★

Thank you again, EC!!! I came here for ideas on how to take care of my son's rather painful knee injury (he had walked into a chair with all his weight). I soaked a handcloth in ACV and then put on a towel wrapped-ice pack. The bruise and pain were gone in 15mins. Awesome stuff.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kay (St Augustine, Fl/usa) on 12/31/2010
 ★★★★★

Thank you earthclinic! I put a paper towell in ACV(Apple Cider Vinegar) and within 24 hrs the bruise was gone. Amazing! Oh, by the way, my knee pain was gone too!

Replied by Zoe
(Methley)
11/05/2015
★☆☆☆☆

No I tried it Apple Cider Vinegar and dosnt work as good as people make out yes it's lightened it but hasn't gone n still pritty dark and I had it on my eye for quiet a long time every 10 minutes and over night woke up and it's still there n pritty yellow hadn't took swelling down either

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Encina (Phoenix, Arizona) on 01/31/2009
 ★★★★★

Last night my girlfriend and I had a night we call game night, where we invite all our close friends over to play games and have fun at home. Well, one of our friends got a little too wasted face and decided to start wrestling (very roughly) with my girlfriend until she couldn't move anymore. after she finally got off of her my girlfriend had bruises ALL over. her ankle was the worst of it (couldn't even walk on it). she went to bed because she was in so much pain. I then went onto this website because it's my favorite for home remedies, and I looked up "contusion" and sure enough ACV was the first thing that popped up.

I dipped a paper towel into a small bowl of the ACV until it was wet, but not dripping (remember she was in bed and I didn't want this stuff all over the sheets... it's not a fun smell to get out) i then set the ACV dipped paper towel onto her ankle where it was bruised and extremely swollen. After 5 minutes of the ACV setting directly onto the skin, her throbbing went away. After 10 minutes of the ACV setting directly directly onto the skin her bruises started to subside and lighten. I decided to keep the ACV dipped towel on her ankle for a good 30 minutes before removing and wiping off with a baby wipe to get rid of the smell. this morning she can move her ankle like nothing had happened. she can walk again. IT'S A MIRACLE!!! ;)

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carrie (Brooklyn, New York) on 08/04/2005
 ★★★★★

I fell, nearly breaking my leg one summer while cleaning the windows. My leg was so sore that I suffered for many months. I started drinking ACV years later. Not for the leg injury in particular, however I noticed my leg had stopped throbbing from that brutal fall. I began to massage my leg and lo and behold the bruised blood began to move and dissolve. The ACV moves blood that is bruised.

Another mishap on the farm caused me to step on a log nail. I hate tetanus shots, I knew they would make me take one if I went to the hospital. My mother also warned me to watch out for 'lockjaw' which is said to come as a result of stepping on rusty nails. I ran into the kitchen foot dripping with blood. I ingested the ACV along with some regular apple juice. The pain was gone by nightfall. Everyone looked and was amazed at the instant recovery. No limping or soreness as a result of ingesting the ACV. This is truly a miracle substance. I cannot overstate the benefits I have heard about from those individuals who have begun to drink ACV on a regular basis, Someone please Call the Doctors and tell them!

Arnica

1 User Review
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Posted by Lilly (FL) on 08/19/2024
 ★★★★★

Arnica is The Number One treatment for bruising. Like EVER.

Arnica pellets. Arnica cream.
watch these videos and share with others.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=soAJxDTpo-E

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WqXOd0AhXBg

Arnica Gel

6 User Reviews
5 star (6) 
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Posted by El (los angeles ) on 02/25/2023
 ★★★★★

higher dosage of arnica worked for me

I used 500 miligrams of Arnica pills for about 5-6 days prior to a procedure on my face that usually leaves me very bruised. This time I had no bruising. The small dosage I was using before had not worked. I was using the homeopathic dosage. My take is to make sure you are using enough arnica before your procedures or after injury.

Arnica Gel
Posted by Wendy (Dublin, OH) on 01/16/2021
 ★★★★★

I love Arnica! A number of years ago, I was walking my dog in the snow around my block, slipped & fell hard and directly onto both my knees! Made it home, and slathered the arnica on both knees. I'd say both bruises were @3-4 inches in diameter. Well, within a few hours the pain was gone, and in about 3-4 days no more bruises.

Arnica Gel
Posted by Maggie (Idaho) on 01/15/2021 36 posts
 ★★★★★

Now that I'm older, bruises takes months to disappear. Got a quarter size bruise the other day and read here on Earth Clinic that arnica gel is great for bruises so tried a gel I have that has arnica in it. The day after I put it on I could tell it was working. After 3 days of putting it on twice a day, the bruise was gone.

Arnica Gel
Posted by Mommy V (Washington, D.C., Usa) on 10/21/2011
 ★★★★★

This stuff works like a miracle. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself. I recently smashed the distal phalanx (smallest bone) of my pinkie. My fingertip swelled to the size and color of a grape in a matter of minutes. I applied a thin layer of Arnica Cream (which I bought at my local health food store) and literally watched as the swelling and bruising disappeared to almost nothing overnight. I also use Arnica frequently on my toddler boys, the youngest of which manages to incur knots on his forehead at an alarming rate. Same story. Goose eggs all but disappear overnight; swelling and bruising are down to just a small mark. It even works on blood blisters. (My aunt, a Farsi accupuncturist, introduced me to this stuff and I am SO grateful!)

Arnica Gel
Posted by Lisa (Socal, Ca) on 06/19/2010
 ★★★★★

I had bruise on my leg that was a very dark purple and didn't fade after 1 1/2 weeks. I tried ACV and witch hazel and nothing happened. I bought some Arnica gel at a health food store Wednesday mid day and applied 3-4 times a day by gently rubbing in. By Saturday morning the bruise was barely visible. I could see the bruise fading each day, I've never seen anything quite like it.

Arnica Gel
Posted by Carrie (Dallas)
★★★★★

I love arnica gel for sore muscles and also bruising. I tend to bruise easily and found this to be an excellent remedy. I also take extra iron when I am bruised!

Arnica Gel, Aloe

1 User Review
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Posted by EC (Indianapolis, IN) on 05/19/2021
 ★★★★★

Bruise:

I crushed my right ring finger with my 20 lb. cast iron skillet 3 days ago. I have alternately used arnica gel and fresh aloe gel as often as I thought about it during the past 3 days. Even though my finger is purple from top to bottom, it really never hurt that much and the swelling has gone down amazingly quickly. Everyone thinks it must be broken because of how awful it looks but no worries at all!


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