Although bruises are not usually a serious injury, they hurt and they are a bit unsightly. Bruises form in response to injury below the skin that causes bleeding from damaged blood vessels. When the blood is trapped under the skin, it initially turns purple, then green and yellow as it fades. Normally, it takes about two weeks for a bruise to heal and go away. However, there are some foods and herbs that can hurry the process along.
Step 1
Apply an ice pack to the bruised area as soon as possible after the injury occurs to reduce pain and swelling. If the bruise covers a large area of an arm or leg, you can elevate the affected body part to reduce swelling. Check to make sure the skin is not broken, because a cut will require further treatment.
Step 2
Eat plenty of citrus fruits and vegetables, including oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, red pepper and broccoli. MotherNature.com says the vitamin C contained in these foods may help strengthen the collagen fibers surrounding blood vessels and reduce the appearance of bruises. Five servings a day of fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C, meet the standards recommended by the Linus Pauling Institute.
Step 3
Increase the amount of dark green, leafy vegetables in the diet. Spinach, kale, turnip greens, broccoli, asparagus and dark green lettuce all contain vitamin k, which is essential for blood-clotting and to prevent bleeding. Beef liver and green tea are also good sources of vitamin K. Do not freeze vitamin K foods, because it may destroy the vitamin, according to The University of Maryland Medical Center. However, they can be cooked because heating these foods does not affect the vitamin K content.
Step 4
Apply some topical Arnica montana to the bruise. Arnica is an herb that has been used as a healing remedy since the 1500s and is considered to be a first-line homeopathic treatment for bruises, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Arnica is available as a topical gel, and can also be made into a topical rubbing oil or tincture. The tincture form should only be taken internally under medical supervision as some of the side effects, including irregular heartbeat, can be severe. Topical Arnica should not be applied to broken skin because it can cause irritation.
Things You'll Need
- Ice pack
- Citrus fruits and vegetables
- Dark green vegetables
- Arnica montana topical gel, tincture or oil
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