If you’ve ever suffered a minor injury that resulted in an unsightly bruise, you’ve probably wondered if there’s a way to get rid of it… and fast.
Why do bruises happen?
A bruise, also known as a contusion, is a type of bleeding in our tissues. When bruising initially occurs, it's because the skin hasn’t been broken but the tiny blood vessels under the skin have. Bruises are simply darker patches of the skin resulting from bleeding under the skin. The colors you see -- which may range from blue-black to yellow-green -- are just from the blood clotting. Bruises may range in severity but they can all be painful. This pain comes from inflammation, as the arrival of platelets causes swelling and puts pressure on the nearby nerves. This also acts as the body’s warning to try and avoid further injury in that particular area. In addition to platelets, white blood cells also play a role in bruising. They come to the site and absorb the excess blood from where it has escaped from the vessels. As this happens, the bruise begins to disappear. A bruise will remain visible until tissues either absorb the blood or it is otherwise dealt with by the immune system. If you know that your bruise is a result of a minor injury and you see it fading or shrinking in a week or so, this is usually a good indication that it is healing.
Benefits Of Essential Oils For Bruises
Essential oils are a popular home remedy for a host of ailments and are known to provide some relief when it comes to nasty bruises. Some essential oils are highly valued in medicinal practices for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties and may help in the following ways:
Promote wound healing
Reduce inflammation
Calms swelling
Fights against infection
Increases collagen production
Pain relief
How to Use Essential Oils for Bruises
One of the wonderful things about essential oils is that you can use them how you wish. For skin conditions like bruising, we recommend diluting a few drops into a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba and testing out on the affected area first. Try adding about 10 drops to a cotton swab and taping it onto the affected area for about half an hour a day. This can help to soothe various skin ailments. But make sure that there is no broken or infected skin if you are using undiluted oils directly. Never apply undiluted oils in areas with cuts, infections, or other skin damage.
The Top 3 Essential Oils for Bruising
Frankincense oil has so many healing properties. It is known to be one of the best essential oils for skincare as it has been seen to boost complexion and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars and blemishes and can speed up the healing of bruises. Frankincense Essential Oil is also believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the size of bruises and encourage healing. It’s further known to help with pain relief, making it perfect for treating bruises.
Helichrysum Essential Oil is one of the most popular essential oils for skincare as its restorative properties work to reduce the appearance of blemishes, scarring and signs of ageing. Its healing and anti-inflammatory abilities boost cell regeneration, increase circulation and encourage the healing of minor wounds. It has also been seen to reduce the pain associated with sore muscles and bruising.
Helichrysum oil is a great anti-inflammatory and can offer gentle pain relief. It has been used for decades to help to heal all kinds of skin problems, including:
Burns
Age Spots
Rashes
Hives
Bruising
Scars
When you apply it to a bruise you will likely notice a reduction in size and intensity of colour. That’s because the helichrysum flower has anti-hematomal properties.
Most of us are familiar with the gentle, floral scent of lavender oil, and for good reason! This plant offers amazing therapeutic values. Lavender Essential Oil is perfect for treating bruises. It has natural cleansing properties and has been seen to reduce pain and enhance blood circulation while being great for reducing the appearance of blemishes and scars. It’s also believed to increase collagen production for tissue regeneration to speed up the healing process. Applying a few drops right after an injury can reduce pain and bruise. Lavender promotes the healing of wounds, and can also help with relaxation and sleep.
30 ml jojoba oil
10 drops Frankincense
10 drops of Helichrysum
10 drops of Lavender
Blend the drops Essential oils into the jojoba, and apply gently over your bruise.
Essential Oil Safety
Whilst essential oils are natural products, they are extremely potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. For this reason, we recommend the following:
In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
Avoid using Essential Oils during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.
We recommend storing your Essential Oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
Essential Oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin).
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness.