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.
Arnica Gel
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.
Comfrey
Posted by Barbara (PX) on 07/22/2021
Arnica cream is the best for bruises!!
Arnica Gel, Aloe
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!
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.
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!
Pineapple
Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 06/21/2015
To Debra Dee (Boston Ma) ----
Just want to add that pineapple from Hawaii is GMO whereas other produce from Hawaii is not GMO.
Namaste, Om
Vicks Menthol Rub
Posted by Lori (Moxee, Wa) on 06/22/2008
★★★★★
I have found that using vicks or menthol rub will quicken the healing process of a bruise. The campor in the products speeds the healing. It really has many healing properties. Cheap and usually in my medicine cabinet. Just a dab will do, about 3 times a day. Don't use it around the eyes.
Butter
Posted by Michelle (Lamora, Mexico) on 03/06/2008
★★★★★
When you first get bruised, especially around the eye, if you apply some butter over the area then it helps it not to turn blue.
Pork Fat
Posted by Nadia B (Toronto, Ontario Canada) on 06/10/2007
★★★★★
Whenever I've gotten a burn or a bruise, I've used raw pork fat (salo) applied directly to the wound and change the fat as needed. (After 8-12 hours or overnight) It never fails! The key is to apply it immediatly. I go to my local butcher and ask for pork salo. I cut the fat up into thin pieces (0.5 inch thick) of various sizes and then store them in the freezer in case of emergency. That way I always have some on hand. (Pork salo is very cheap, and in some cases the butcher will give it to you for free). DO NOT try this remedy using bacon etc (the salt will irritate the wound).
Butter
Posted by Staci (Chicago, IL) on 02/22/2007
★★★★★
If you dab some melted butter on a part of your body that you just bumped or hit hard on anything like a baseball bat or swinging door, it will not turn black. The trick is to do it immediately.
Castor Oil
Posted by Jenn (New York, NY) on 08/19/2024
★★★★★
I walked into the corner of a bed post on my way out of the house and got an immediate hard lump and black bruising right below the knee. I went out for about 20 minutes to run an errand, where I shook the leg a little bit - I'm a big proponent of also shaking off the trauma as animals do. I checked this site and slathered on some castor oil and it felt soothed immediately. Lavender essential oil was recommended on this site, but since I didn't have any I searched for other essential oils for bruising. Lemon oil was recommended, so I put on a couple of drops over the castor oil. It's been about 24 hours and it's still a bit tender but feeling better. I imagine many things would work. If if ever happens again I may try butter and/or turmeric.
Comfrey
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 07/22/2021
I've never actually "treated" a bruise but, if I did, I would massage in some cayenne extract - or cayenne tea - let it dry and then some DMSO. I was always bruised and banged up when I was younger but I don't even remember the last time I had a bruise and it's been years since I had a nasty bruise like THAT but they've never bothered me. But if I got one and it did bother me, that's what I'd do. Then I'd probably and promptly forget about it.
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!)
Pineapple
Posted by Debbra Dee (Boston, Ma) on 06/21/2015
★★★★★
I have taken bromelain, the enzyme created from pinapple, immediately following major surgery (oral and sinus) and have had ZERO bruising and swelling, and minimal pain. I also added tart cherry and arnica. I just now took a really bad tumble down some slippery steps and am going to do the the same thing. Fingers crossed I can head off the bruising and pain this time.
Witch Hazel
Posted by Betty (Laverne, Oklahoma) on 08/07/2008
★★★★★
Witch Hazel is an awesome remedy I learned from my Grandmother and I am sure she learned it from her mother (b. 1861). The trick is to bathe the bruise as quickly after injury as possible. Then repeat for several times. But even if you can't immediately treat the bruise, witch hazel will take some of the soarness & discoloring away even the next day. Awesome stuff! Of course, witch hazel has an alcohol base so do not ingest it or get it in your eyes (common sense).
Boiled Egg
Posted by keefe (markham, ontario) on 05/01/2007
★★★★★
boil an egg and rub it on your bruise it will feel better and will start fading.
Witch Hazel
Posted by Govinda (Calabasas)
★★★★★
I use a cotton ball dunked in witch hazel for bruising. I do this 3x a day and within 2 days, my bruise has all but faded.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Zoe (Methley) on 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
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.
Vegetable Oil
Posted by Kathleen (Medford ) on 08/27/2018
Using Vicks or Mentholatum ointment, I knew gets rid of bruises fast... used TID [three times a day], smart thinking.
