Bruises
A bruise is a mark on your skin caused by blood trapped under the surface. It happens when an injury crushes small blood vessels but does not break the skin. Those vessels break open and leak blood under the skin.
Bruises are often painful and swollen. You can get skin, muscle and bone bruises. Bone bruises are the most serious.
It can take months for a bruise to fade, but most last about two weeks. They start off a reddish color, and then turn bluish-purple and greenish-yellow before returning to normal. To reduce bruising, ice the injured area and elevate it above your heart. See your health care provider if you seem to bruise for no reason, or if the bruise appears to be infected.
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Bruises
ABSINTHIUM (Artemisia absinthium)ARAB3
The flowering tops and leaves of Artemisia Absinthium, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae); Europe, Siberia, Barbary, Newfoundland, and the United... / ...External. Absinthium, steeped in vinegar and water, makes an admirable hot fomentation for sprains, bruises and local inflammations. It should not be applied to abraded surfaces. nternal. Small doses ... / ...used for the expulsion of the intestinal parasites-Ascaris vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides. The oil may be given in doses of 1 to 5 drops. 1
The flowering tops and leaves of Artemisia Absinthium, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae); Europe, Siberia, Barbary, Newfoundland, and the United... / ...External. Absinthium, steeped in vinegar and water, makes an admirable hot fomentation for sprains, bruises and local inflammations. It should not be applied to abraded surfaces. nternal. Small doses ... / ...used for the expulsion of the intestinal parasites-Ascaris vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides. The oil may be given in doses of 1 to 5 drops. 1
ARNICA MONTANA
The dried flower-heads of Arnica montana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A perennial of Siberia and the cooler parts of Europe; also found in... / ... discuss inflammatory swellings, and to relieve the soreness of myalgia and the effects of sprains, bruises, and contusions. It is often serviceable to remove ecchymoses, and it gives grateful relief ...1
The dried flower-heads of Arnica montana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A perennial of Siberia and the cooler parts of Europe; also found in... / ... discuss inflammatory swellings, and to relieve the soreness of myalgia and the effects of sprains, bruises, and contusions. It is often serviceable to remove ecchymoses, and it gives grateful relief ...1
GAULTHERIA
The leaves of Gaultheria procumbens, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ericaceae). Damp woods and sandy soils of eastern third of the United States. Common... / ...n, 15 grains; Echafolta and Alcohol, 2 1/2 fluidounces each. Mix. Valuable for application to cuts, bruises, and diluted with water as a mouth wash. Internal. Specific Medicine Gaultheria, or an infus... / ...of infants. Gaultheria is an agent of special value as a flavoring agent and preservative for water-dispensed medicines in the summer season. Fo1
The leaves of Gaultheria procumbens, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ericaceae). Damp woods and sandy soils of eastern third of the United States. Common... / ...n, 15 grains; Echafolta and Alcohol, 2 1/2 fluidounces each. Mix. Valuable for application to cuts, bruises, and diluted with water as a mouth wash. Internal. Specific Medicine Gaultheria, or an infus... / ...of infants. Gaultheria is an agent of special value as a flavoring agent and preservative for water-dispensed medicines in the summer season. Fo1
HAMAMELIS
...lcerated or wounded skin or mucosa, especially where venous circulation is debilitated; contusions, bruises, and muscular soreness from exertion or exposure. Action and Therapy.External. Witch-hazel...... lotion for muscular soreness and aching after severe exertion; from cold, exposure, or when due to bruises and strains. Its use should be accompanied with gentle massage. Compresses wetted with witch...1
...lcerated or wounded skin or mucosa, especially where venous circulation is debilitated; contusions, bruises, and muscular soreness from exertion or exposure. Action and Therapy.External. Witch-hazel...... lotion for muscular soreness and aching after severe exertion; from cold, exposure, or when due to bruises and strains. Its use should be accompanied with gentle massage. Compresses wetted with witch...1
HYPERICUMHYIN7
The leaves and flowering tops of Hypericum perforatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hypericaceae). Europe and America. Common Name: St. John's... / ...erary, much as arnica is employed. Therefore it has been used extensively as a local application to bruises, contusions, sprains, lacerations, swellings, ecchymoses, and in acute mammitis. Internal. H...1
The leaves and flowering tops of Hypericum perforatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hypericaceae). Europe and America. Common Name: St. John's... / ...erary, much as arnica is employed. Therefore it has been used extensively as a local application to bruises, contusions, sprains, lacerations, swellings, ecchymoses, and in acute mammitis. Internal. H...1
LOBELIALOBEL
The leaves, tops, and seeds of Lobelia inflata, Linné (Nat. Ord. Lobeliaceae). Abundant in the United States. Dose, 1 to 60 grains. Common... / ...poultice (with flaxseed or elm) often relieves insect bites and stings, articular pain, the pain of bruises and sprains, and sometimes causes relaxation in strangulated hernia, and relieves the discom...1
The leaves, tops, and seeds of Lobelia inflata, Linné (Nat. Ord. Lobeliaceae). Abundant in the United States. Dose, 1 to 60 grains. Common... / ...poultice (with flaxseed or elm) often relieves insect bites and stings, articular pain, the pain of bruises and sprains, and sometimes causes relaxation in strangulated hernia, and relieves the discom...1
OLEUM OLIVAE
Olive Oil, Sweet Oil. A fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of Olea europaea, Linné (Nat. Ord. Oleaceae). The olive tree of Asia and southern... / ...Applied warm it gives relief from the pain of insect stings and bites. It may be used for anointing bruises and excoriations, and is especially useful to prevent excoriations from acrid discharges. It... / ...however, be given in either phosphorus or cantharides poisoning, as the activity of these substances through oil solution is decidedly increased.1
Olive Oil, Sweet Oil. A fixed oil obtained from the ripe fruit of Olea europaea, Linné (Nat. Ord. Oleaceae). The olive tree of Asia and southern... / ...Applied warm it gives relief from the pain of insect stings and bites. It may be used for anointing bruises and excoriations, and is especially useful to prevent excoriations from acrid discharges. It... / ...however, be given in either phosphorus or cantharides poisoning, as the activity of these substances through oil solution is decidedly increased.1
SASSAFRASSASSA
The bark of the root of Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees (Nat. Ord. Lauraceae). Woods of eastern half of North America. Dose, 1 to 3 drachms. Common... / ...ndant, and has been used to discuss wens, and to relieve rheumatic and other painful conditions, as bruises, sprains, and swellings. A mucilage of the pith (2 drachms to Water, 16 fluidounces) was for... / ...sugar, will sometimes relieve the pangs of dysmenorrhea. The chief use of sassafras oil is to flavor pharmaceutic syrups and other preparations.1
The bark of the root of Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees (Nat. Ord. Lauraceae). Woods of eastern half of North America. Dose, 1 to 3 drachms. Common... / ...ndant, and has been used to discuss wens, and to relieve rheumatic and other painful conditions, as bruises, sprains, and swellings. A mucilage of the pith (2 drachms to Water, 16 fluidounces) was for... / ...sugar, will sometimes relieve the pangs of dysmenorrhea. The chief use of sassafras oil is to flavor pharmaceutic syrups and other preparations.1
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Materia Medica on Bruises
ARNICAARNIC
The flowers, also the root of ARNICA MONTANA, Lin. The flowers are stimulant, irritant and vulnerary; used almost exclusively in form of tincture externally applied for sprains, bruises, etc. The root is used internally as a stimulant to the arterial and nervous systems, prescribed especially in typhoid conditions.2
The flowers, also the root of ARNICA MONTANA, Lin. The flowers are stimulant, irritant and vulnerary; used almost exclusively in form of tincture externally applied for sprains, bruises, etc. The root is used internally as a stimulant to the arterial and nervous systems, prescribed especially in typhoid conditions.2
WITCH HAZEL (Hamamells)
The leaves, also the bark of HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA, Lin. Astringent, hemostatic, emollient, vulnerary. The distilled extract is the preparation most used; being indeed a household remedy for sprains, bruises, swellings and injuries of all kinds. It is equally serviceable in the hands of physicians in treating hemorrhoids. passive hemorrhages, in short in all conditions due to relaxation of venous structures.2
The leaves, also the bark of HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA, Lin. Astringent, hemostatic, emollient, vulnerary. The distilled extract is the preparation most used; being indeed a household remedy for sprains, bruises, swellings and injuries of all kinds. It is equally serviceable in the hands of physicians in treating hemorrhoids. passive hemorrhages, in short in all conditions due to relaxation of venous structures.2
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Bruises
BRUISES
Distilled Extract Witch Hazel, Tincture Arnica, Glyceroplasma to reduce swelling, solution of ammonium chloride in diluted alcohol.2
Distilled Extract Witch Hazel, Tincture Arnica, Glyceroplasma to reduce swelling, solution of ammonium chloride in diluted alcohol.2
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.