Popular natural remedies that are simple to use and easy to make at home are essential oils. You can mix and make a unique combination of essential oils for various purposes. In this blog, I will discuss about the best essential oils for bruises.
They may also be useful for healing bruises. Herbalists and other practitioners support the use of essential oils on bruises with evidence.
On the other hand, some modern research also supports the use of specific essential oils for bruises.
If you have a bruise, instead of just letting it sit there, head to your essential oils cabinet and create a blend to help ease the pain. If you’re looking for a place to start, this handy guide will show you which essential oils work best for healing bruises.
Table of Contents
What causes a bruise?
Discolored areas of skin called bruises to appear after a physical blow or any injury to the body. Sometimes bruises begin to change color into blue or dark violet.
There are many potential causes of bruises, medically known as contusions. A bruise can form after any kind of contact, whether it was an accidental bump, a collision, or another reason.
Damaged blood vessels under the skin cause discoloration. This happens when the skin is strained or smashed but not broken.
Blood loss does not appear on the surface of the skin after a wound has been made. Subcutaneous blood clots cause discoloration.
Essential Oils for Bruises: How to Apply
An essential oil blend applied topically to bruises can speed up the healing process.
It is important to use a suitable carrier oil when applying essential oils, such as when healing a bruise. Never apply unmixed or pure essential oils to your skin! Combine them with your preferred carrier oil. Olive oil from the pantry will do in a pinch if you don’t have any other kind of oil on hand (like Sweet Almond or Jojoba). The direct application of essential oils to the skin can lead to painful irritations. A carrier oil should be used for all applications.
Because of its high concentration of St. John’s Wort, carrier oil made from the plant is commonly recommended for healing bruises.
You should use your essential oil blend a minimum of twice a day, or it’s better if you consult with your physician. You should apply it four to five times daily if you want to see results faster or if you’re in pain and want more relief. When using your concoction, continue doing so daily until all swelling and pain have subsided.
As much as I love roller bottle blends in general, I don’t think they work very well on bruises. If you’re using oil to heal a bruise, you might need more than what’s available in a roller bottle, but the top of those bottles tends to be quite small. For easy access, I like to keep a 1 oz. container (like these ones here) stocked with a massage blend for use on bruises, sore muscles, and other aches and pains.
Also Read:
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- 9 Best Essential Oils for Relaxation
- Everything You Need to Know About Ketone Test Strips
10 Best Essential Oils For Bruises
1. Rosemary Essential Oil (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Antioxidant compounds in rosemary may speed wound healing and lessen pain all at once. In both a 2013 and 2017 study, its efficacy in healing bruising is noted.
Never apply rosemary oil or essential oil to your skin. It might irritate you. Can use a carrier oil for optimal results.
2. Turmeric Essential Oil (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties; this essential oil can relieve pain and heal your wound fast.
As per the source an article describing the use of turmeric essential oil for the healing of soft tissue injuries, like a small injury in a muscle, ligament, or tendon near a joint, or a bruise, it can lead to swelling in the affected area.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil (Boswellia serrata)
As an added bonus, frankincense can help bruises heal faster and look less severe. It has pain-relieving anti-inflammatory properties.
Essential frankincense oil and turmeric were tested for healing bruises in a clinical trial in 2013. The results showed that it worked as well as commercially available sprays for reducing the appearance of bruises.
For minor bumps and bruises that haven’t broken the skin, try applying a few drops of diluted essential oil twice a day.
4. Helichrysum Essential Oil (Helichrysum italicum)
Aromatherapists frequently use helichrysum, also known as the everlasting flower, for bruises.
Helichrysum has been shown to have anti-hematomal properties, according to a review published in 2013. The size and appearance of bruises can be diminished by applying the essential oil promptly after they occur. Inflammation is reduced as a bonus benefit.
Use diluted oil on intact skin as soon as possible after an injury. You should reapply as often as you feel it’s necessary to get the desired effect.
5. Arnica Essential Oil (Arnica Montana)
The arnica flower is commonly used as a healing ointment for bruises.
It has been shown to hasten recovery, lessen the size of bruises, and return the skin to its normal tone. Pain can also be reduced by taking arnica.
Topical arnica was used as a healing ointment for ecchymosis (a form of bruising) in a 2016 study involving surgical patients. These bruises healed more quickly than with a placebo.
Arnica essential oil applied topically may hasten the recovery of bruises. A few drops of diluted essential oil should be applied to the bruised area of the skin twice a day. The homeopathic version of arnica is also widely available.
6. Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Officinalis)
Lavender essential oil is a well-known and accessible oil. Quick application after an injury, like helichrysum, is believed to lessen the appearance of bruising.
This was confirmed in a 2015 study of postpartum women who had severe bruising around their perineal stitches. Additionally, it served as a pain reliever.
If bruising occurs on intact skin, apply 5 drops, and again if needed consult with your doctor. Some people find it unpleasant when oil is applied directly to their skin. If that’s the case, a warm compress might help.
7. Yarrow Essential Oil (Achillea millefolium)
To reduce the severity of pain and the visibility of bruises, yarrow was included in a 2018 study alongside St. John’s wort. All kinds of bruises might recover more quickly from it.
Unbroken skin bruises can be healed by applying undiluted yarrow essential oil.
8. Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Tea tree essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, and it’s been used for many years for healing bruises.
Apply ice to the affected area and leave it on for a few minutes before using tea tree essential oil. Now is the time to apply the ointment with light, circular motions.
9. Wormwood Essential Oil (Artemisia absinthium)
Traditionally, wormwood essential oil was commonly used to heal scrapes and bruises in many cultures.
According to a Research, wormwood oil can help reduce inflammation caused by bruises, as well as other types of skin discolorations and muscular discomforts.
10. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)
St. John’s wort is used in modern massage therapy to alleviate the discomfort of bruises and hasten their healing.
A study conducted in 2017 suggested its potential usefulness in healing bed sores. These wounds look and feel a lot like bruises. The scope of the research on healing bed sores was narrow.
Another study published in 2018 found that St. John’s wort reduced pain and swelling after cesarean delivery. Yarrow was the other herb used in conjunction with this one.
Use diluted oil on the bruises directly.
When should I consult with a doctor if I have bruises?
Most bruises are harmless and can easily be healed at home. They also go away on their own, so you don’t have to use any healing ointment for them.
If any of the following apply to you, it’s imperative that you see a doctor right away (and stay away from any essential oils):
- You suffer from severe pain, swelling, or edema.
- Your bruise has no clear cause, and you take medicines to thin your blood.
- For no apparent reason, you keep getting bruises.
- After three or four weeks, your bruise does not go away or grow larger.
- You have an eye bruise or concussion symptoms on your head.
Bottom line
Bruises are typically minor injuries. You can easily provide relief for them at home. The most typical way to heal bruises are:
- Using cool packs for the first day or two
- When a bruise occurs, it is best to keep it elevated.
- Taking a Break and Relaxing
- using OTC pain relievers
- Putting the harmed area underwater
Healing and restoration are facilitated by essential oils.
When used properly, essential oils can be wonderful alternatives. Some are effective at relieving discomfort, while others may lessen the visual impact of bruises. Some essential oils actually work well for both.
Consult a medical professional if you’re experiencing unexplained, recurrent bruising.
[Cautionary note: In all of the above cases please consult a practicing specialist & get checked before taking any medicines.]Disclaimer: This article is only written for basic and general informational purposes only. The Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the FDA and neither the efficacy of these products has been confirmed by FDA-approved research. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. There’s no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary. Users must not view the content as medical advice in any way. Users are also required to ’NOT SELF-MEDICATE’ and always consult your health care professional before taking any medicines or undergoing any treatment. DivyaAyushCare and the author will not be responsible for any act or omission by the User arising from the User’s interpretation of the content.
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