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Bruising

Bruising is an area of skin discoloration that occurs following injury. It is accompanied by fluid accumulation and occurs as a result of the escape of blood from ruptured blood vessels after injury.

Some people bruise more easily than others. This usually occurs because of a condition known as microangiopermeability, which involves weak capillaries that are more permeable (leaky) than normal.

The following therapies may treat bruising:

Bromelain:

Rationale:

Bromelain accelerates the healing of bruises however this therapy must be commenced as soon as possible after the occurrence of an injury.

In one study on boxers, all signs of bruising in injured boxers diminished within four days of commencing bromelain therapy. In subjects that did not receive bromelain, bruising did not subside until eight to ten days after the injury.

Dosage:

750 - 1,000 mg per day commencing as soon as possible after an injury that is likely to lead to bruising.

Grape Seed Extract:

Rationale:

Grape seed extract contains a group of bioflavonoid-like compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) that increase the strength of the capillaries and veins. This helps to minimize bruising. The OPCs content of grape seed extract alleviates microangiopermeability (leaky capillaries), one of the factors that cause some people to bruise more easily than others.

Dosage:

100 - 300 mg per day.

Alternatives:

Pycnogenol contains the same active ingredients as grape seed extract, OPCs.

Bilberry contains anthocyanosides that exert similar effects to those of grape seed extract’s OPCs content.

Pycnogenol:

Rationale

Pycnogenol contains a group of bioflavonoid-like compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) that increase the strength of the capillaries and veins. This helps to minimize bruising. Pycnogenol alleviates microangiopermeability (leaky capillaries), one of the factors that cause some people to bruise more easily than others.

Dosage:

100 - 300 mg per day.

Alternatives:

Grape Seed Extract contains the same active ingredients as pycnogenol, OPC.

Bilberry contains anthocyanosides that exert similar effects to those of pycnogenol’s OPCs content.

Bilberry:

Rationale:

Bilberry contains a group of polyphenol compounds named anthocyanosides that are helpful for the healing of bruises. This effect of bilberry occurs from the anthocyanosides content of bilberry strengthening the capillaries. Bilberry alleviates microangiopermeability (leaky capillaries), one of the factors that cause some people to bruise more easily than others.

Dosage:

120 - 480 mg per day (using bilberry extract standardized to contain 25% of the active constituents, anthocyanosides).

Rutin:

Rationale:

Rutin increases the strength of the capillaries and veins. This helps to minimize bruising.

Dosage:

400 - 1,200 mg per day.

Vitamin C:

Rationale:

People who are deficient in vitamin C are more prone to bruising than people who have optimal levels of vitamin C.

Dosage:

1,000 - 3,000 mg per day.

Vitamin K:

Rationale:

Vitamin K (applied topically) accelerates the healing of bruises and helps to prevent bruising. Regular use of topical vitamin K helps to prevent bruising.

Dosage:

Vitamin K cream is applied topically to the site of bruising.

Arnica:

Rationale:

Arnica contains two compounds (named dihydrohelenalin and helenalin) that accelerate the healing of bruises when they are applied topically.

Dosage:

Arnica oil or ointment is applied topically to the site of bruising.

Calendula:

Rationale:

Many naturopaths report that topical application of calendula accelerates the healing of bruises. Components of calendula are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties and this is likely to be the underlying mechanism for calendula’s effects on bruising.

Calendula can safely be used on bruises in the form of creams, salves, fresh juice or succus.

Dosage:

Calendula cream, salve or juice is applied topically to the site of bruising.

Comfrey:

Rationale:

Comfrey contains a constituent named allantoin, that when applied topically accelerates the healing of bruises. Specifically, allantoin functions as an epithelialization stimulant, cell proliferator and chemical debrider.

Dosage:

Comfrey ointment is applied topically to the site of bruising.

Propolis:

Rationale:

Propolis (applied topically) is claimed to accelerate the healing of bruises. This aspect of propolis has not yet been tested in scientific studies.

Dosage:

Propolis tincture or cream is applied topically to the site of bruising.

Emu Oil:

Rationale:

There are some anecdotal reports that topical application of emu oil accelerates the healing of bruises.

This claim has not yet been tested in scientific studies.

Dosage:

Emu oil is applied topically to the site of the bruise.

Oregano Oil:

Rationale:

There are some anecdotal reports that topical application of oregano oil accelerates the healing of bruises.

This claim has not yet been tested in scientific studies.

Dosage:

Oregano oil is applied topically to the site of the bruise.

Chilli:

Rationale:

Chillis contain an alkaloid named capsaicin that alleviates the pain associated with bruises when it is applied topically as a cream.

Dosage:

Capsaicin cream is applied topically to the site of the bruise.

Lavender Oil:

Rationale:

Topical application of lavender oil is claimed to accelerate the healing of bruises.

This use of lavender oil has not yet been tested in scientific studies.

Dosage:

Lavender oil is applied topically to skin at the site of bruising.

References

Arnica

· Baumann, L. Arnica Montana L. Skin & Allergy News. 32(3), 2001.

Bromelain

· Howat, R. C. L., et al. The effect of bromelain therapy on episiotomy wounds - a double blind controlled clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonwealth. 79:951-953, 1972.

Bilberry

· Chaddock, D. Bilberry extract: reactions of World War II pilots sparked current research. Vitamin Research News. May 2000.

Calendula

· Snow, J. M. Calendula: the golden healer. Mother Nature’s Health Journal Biweekly Newsletter. 2(17), 1999.

Grape Seed Extract

· Robert, L., et al. Action of procyanidolic oligomers on vascular permeability. Path Biol. 38(6):608-616, 1990.

Horse Chestnut

· Calabrese, C., et al. Report of the results of a double blind, randomized, single-dose trial of a topical 2% escin gel versus placebo in the acute treatment of experimentally induced hematoma in volunteers. Planta Medica. 59:394-397, 1993.

Oregano Oil

· Ingram, C. The Cure is in the Cupboard: How to use Oregano for Better Health. Knowledge House, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA. 1997.

Pycnogenol

· Wayne, E., et al. Pycnogenol and skin care. Drug Cosmet Ind. 158:44-50, 1996.

Rutin

· Miller, M. J. Injuries to athletes. Evaluation of ascorbic acid and water soluble citrus bioflavonoids in the prophylaxis of injuries in athletes. Med Times. 88:313-314, 1960.

Vitamin C

· Miller, M. J. Injuries to athletes. Evaluation of ascorbic acid and water soluble citrus bioflavonoids in the prophylaxis of injuries in athletes. Med Times. 88:313-314, 1960.

Vitamin K

· Shah, N. S., et al. The effects of topical vitamin K on bruising after laser treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 47(2):241-244, 2002.

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