Bruises

Agrimony Crushed roots and leaves may be used on bruises. A French water, Eau de Arquebusabe, made of agrimony, was once used on wounds from early handguns (arquebuses). Agrimony tea may be used for sprains and bruises.

Arnica The Arnica montana is a remarkable bruise remedy. I always keep an arnica tincture, lotion, and ointment on hand for emergency, and I find it very effective on bruises where the skin is unbroken (sprains, blows). Arnica may be used in foot or arm baths, for compress water, or directly on the skin.

Cabbage Break the ridges on the large outer leaves of white cabbage. Dip the leaves into very hot water, and apply them to bring down face swelling, or to withdraw pus from running sores.

Caraway Bruise the seeds, heat them with hot, soft bread, and apply this to black and blue marks.

Comfrey This is one of the most important of the antibruise plants, as it is exceptionally healing in every one of its forms. Apply it in compress or poultice form on the bruise. A few drops of the tincture in water can be used to soak inflamed or painful bruises.

Daisy The lovely and common daisy was once called bruisewort. To reduce swelling, bruise the leaves and flowers, and add them to wheat germ oil, or use them as tea.

Mullein The oil made from the flowers of mullein and olive oil is useful for bruises, frostbite, and hemorrhoids.

Onion Onions have exceptional drawing power and may be used in raw or roasted form to help heal bruises.

Shepherd's Purse Use the whole plant as a poultice for painful bruises. (This plant is also useful for rheumatism, and helps to stop bleeding.)

Solomon's Seat Use the crushed root as a poultice to take away black and blue marks on a wound and to help with bruises about the eye. If beer is available, steep the root in the beer, and apply this compress to bruise.

VinegarPoultice Apply an apple cider vinegar compress to bruises, swelling, or sprains. It may be used hot or cold. Do not use this near the eyes or genitals.

Witch Hazel American Indians used twigs of the witch hazel tree to make up tea to reduce swelling and tumors. Distilled witch hazel is available in every drugstore, and compresses dipped in the preparation will quickly relieve minor burns, swellings, and inflammations.

Yarrow This common weed has been used for centuries crushed on fresh cuts and bruises or, added to a lard ointment, to heal bruises.