How to Use Herbs for Sprains and Bruises

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1Applying Herbs to Sprains

2Using Herbs to Treat Bruises

3Finding Other Ways to Heal with Herbs

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Expert Q&A

Tips and Warnings

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When you sprain or bruise part of your body, your immediate course of action should be to apply RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). For longer-term treatment, many people advocate a homeopathic approach to relief and recovery, and homeopaths use a variety of herbs to treat sprains and reduce bruising. Depending on the specific herb and the type of bruise or sprain being treated, the herb may be applied directly to the injured area or may be ingested. Use herbs for sprains and bruises by determining which herbs are best for your injury, and applying or taking them as directed by your healthcare practitioner or healer. The applications of these herbs are not proven, medical methods, and you should exercise caution and discretion when topically applying or ingesting herbs. Also make sure to consult with your doctor before attempting any homeopathic herbal remedies.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Herbs to Sprains

1. 
   1
   Use arnica topically or internally. Arnica is an alpine herb that can be been used to relieve the pain of injuries, sprains, and strains to the back and other muscles and joints. You can also rub Arnica oil directly onto the sprained area. Salves and ointments containing this herb are available from health-food stores or homeopathy shops.

   • Look for homeopathic remedies that include Arnica and can be ingested. Health food stores might have teas with Arnica, and you can also get it in a dropper form to add to any of your regular drinks.
2. 
   2
   Rub Eucalyptus oil onto the sprained area. You can use Eucalyptus oil for sprains, sore muscles and sports injuries. Rubbing the oil or a lotion that includes Eucalyptus onto the injured area will help lessen the pain of an injury. Place several drops of Eucalyptus essential oil onto your fingers, and rub the oil gently into the sprained or bruised area. Do this two or three times daily until the pain decreases.

   • Combine Eucalyptus oil with other oils such as Rosemary oil or Almond oil to increase the flow of blood to the injured area.
   • Eucalyptus oil can also be used as a topical antiseptic. Rub in on minor scratches or cuts to keep them clean and prevent infection.
   • If ingested, undiluted eucalyptus oil can be toxic. For this reason, avoid applying the oil directly to your face or to the face of a young child.
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3. 
   3
   Apply Everlasting to reduce swelling. The herb Helichrysum angustifolium, also called Everlasting, should be applied to the injured area immediately after you sprain something. An oil from the sunflower family, this herb will reduce pain and swelling if you rub it onto the affected area. The herb has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, so will prevent the bruise from swelling.

   • Helichrysum angustifolium is often included in essential oils. This makes it easy to apply: place several drops of the oil on your fingers, and gently massage it around your sprain or bruise. Do this two or three times a day, until the pain and inflammation subside.
4. 
   4
   Place a castor oil pack on the sprain. Although castor oil is primarily known as a laxative, it has homeopathic properties when applied externally to the body as well. Castor oil is an effective remedy for sprains. To apply castor oil to your sprain, you’ll need to make a castor oil pack.

   • Place a standard electric heating pad inside of a garbage bag.
   • Find 3 or 4 strips of cotton flannel fabric, and soak these with castor oil.
   • Place the oil-soaked flannel directly against your sprain. Place the garbage-bag-covered heating pad on top of the flannel, and turn the heat on to a comfortably warm temperature.
   • Let the castor oil pack sit for about an hour.
   • If you don’t want to get castor oil on your skin, cover the sprained area with a towel, and then apply the castor oil pack.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Herbs to Treat Bruises

1. 
   1
   Apply crushed calendula to the bruise. Calendula is a mild herb that helps your body heal itself, and reduces inflammation. You can crush up calendula leaves and apply them directly to the bruise, or make a calendula infusion. Leave the crushed herbs on your bruise for 3 hours to reduce the swelling and promote healing.

   • Calendula is a common herb and should be available at a plant nursery or a homeopathy shop.
2. 
   2
   Apply parsley to a bruise. The properties of fresh parsley are known to offer comfort to any inflammation or discoloration. Make a poultice out of parsley, or add it to a cold compress to lessen the pain and impact of your bruise.

   • To make a poultice of parsley, take either fresh or dried herbs and blend the leaves with oil, water, or vinegar until you’ve made a thick paste. Apply this directly to the bruised area.
3. 
   3
   Use aloe vera to soothe a bruise. The most popular form of aloe is in a gel, but you can also apply aloe oil or fresh aloe leaves to a bruise. Aloe will help relieve any pain with a bruise and speed healing. To apply the aloe to your bruise, simply cut open the aloe leaf to expose the gel. Squeeze gel out onto a piece of gauze. Once the gauze is soaked, apply it to your bruise for 30–60 minutes.

   • Aloe vera gel is also an effective remedy for a sprain. Use aloe to treat a sprain using the same method as you would for a bruise.
   • Aloe vera plants can be purchased at any garden store or plant nursery, and aloe gel should be available at a local pharmacy.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Other Ways to Heal with Herbs

1. 
   1
   Make a turmeric paste to reduce pain. Although turmeric is usually thought of as a cooking spice, it’s also effective as a pain reliever due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is most useful for homeopathic purposes when made into a paste.

   • To make the turmeric paste, mix 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Add a small amount of boiling water to the mixture, and stir until it develops a thick consistency. You can apply this directly to your bruise or sprain. Hold the paste in place with a sheet of plastic wrap.
   • Turmeric is a common spice and can be found at any grocery store or health food store.
2. 
   2
   Apply rosemary oil to your sprain or bruise. Rosemary is a common homeopathic herb, as it contains antioxidants (if ingested internally) and also has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

   • To apply rosemary oil to a sprain, add a few drops of rosemary oil to a bucket of cold water. Soak a towel in the rosemary-infused water, and then wrap this cold towel around your sprain.
   • Rosemary oil should be available at any homeopathy store, and also through online herb retailers.
3. 
   3
   Prevent bruising with bilberry tea. You can drink bilberry tea if you are someone who bruises easily. It is made from purple berries that taste good in a tea and will improve circulation and vein health, keeping you from bruising immediately any time you bump or hurt a part of your body.

   • To make bilberry tea, you’ll need 1–3 teaspoons of crushed and dried berries. Boil 1 cup of water, and then pour the boiling water over the crushed berries. Let the mixture sit in a mug for 10–15 minutes. Strain out the berries, and your tea will be ready.
   • Bilberries are also often referred to as huckleberries. Bilberries are available at health food stores and online herbal retailers.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do you treat bruises?

  

  Ritu Thakur, MA
  Natural Health Care Professional

  Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.

  

  Ritu Thakur, MA

  Natural Health Care Professional

  Expert Answer

  Common herbs used to treat bruises include arnica, calendula, aloe vera, witch hazel, and turmeric root. These herbs work because of their natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. They reduce pain, swelling, and blood clotting.

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Tips

• Do not apply arnica to broken skin.
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• Before taking any herbs or homeopathic remedies, clarify whether they are to be taken internally or externally. Some herbs that are helpful when placed directly on your skin can be harmful if ingested.
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Warnings

• Talk to your doctor, healthcare practitioner, or homeopathic healer before taking any herbs or herbal remedies. They are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be harmful if overused or taken the wrong way.
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