Herbs for Bruises

I remember as a child that I would often fall and have bruises and sometimes sprains. My mother had some remedies for them and as my interest in herbs grew I learned of several ways to treat unsightly black and blue bruises. Nature has solutions for our ailments and here are a few remedies for bruising .

.Arnica, Arnica Montana, also known as mountain daisy is helpful for bruises. It has pain relieving properties and is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Be sure not to take it internally it can cause stomach pain and vomiting. Arnica is available as a gel and as a cream.

Potato can be used for bruises. It is an old folk remedy and you use a raw potato. It can be grated and applied to the bruised area as a poultice. Potatoes are cheap and readily available.

St. John's wort, hypericum perforatum, is used for many things besides depression.There is a remedy where you steep steep 2 teaspoons of dried herb in vegetable oil for a few days. This oil can be applied on bruises.

Witch-Hazel, hamamelis,  is an astringent and is a popular remedy. I remember my mother and grandmother using this for bruises. You can get it at any pharmacy and it is inexpensive.


 Sources:
Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy, Rodale, 1997
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-721-arnica.aspx?activeingredientid=721&activeingredientname=arnica
http://www.drugs.com/npc/arnica.html
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-227-witch%20hazel.aspx?activeingredientid=227&activeingredientname=witch%20hazel

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Valerie Lull
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Ten Healthy Teas
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