Bruising
Alternative Medicine
The following information is specific for alternative and complementary medicine. For additional evidence-based information on diseases, conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and wellness issues, continue searching the Healthwise Knowledgebase.Overview
What you need to know
Those tender black and blue marks on your body are often reminders of an accidental bump, although they can be signs of an underlying health condition. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may help reduce bruising:
- Sample a combo supplement
- Reduce your tendency to bruise by taking a daily combination of at least 400 mg of vitamin C and 400 mg of flavonoids, such as hesperidin or rutin
- Fill up on fruits and veggies
- Help prevent bruising by eating more foods rich in vitamin C and flavonoids
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full bruising article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
About bruising
Bruising occurs after traumatic injury and consists of swelling and discoloration under the skin but no disruption of the skin.
Bruising is a normal body response to trauma. It is only when bruising occurs often and from very minor (often unnoticed) trauma that a problem may exist. Refer to the capillary fragility article for more information. While easy bruising is usually not a cause for concern, people who experience this problem should consult a physician to rule out more serious conditions that may cause bruising. Medical causes of easy bruising sometimes may be diagnosed from a few blood tests conducted by a doctor. More often, however, no clear cause for easy bruising is found.
Check list
Product ratings for bruising
Rating Nutritional Supplements Herbs Vitamin C (only if deficient)
See also: Homeopathic Remedies for Bruising Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms?
Bruises look like areas of blue to purple-colored skin that may turn yellow to dark brown over the course of a few days.
Diet
Dietary changes that may be helpful
Even minor dietary deficiencies of vitamin C can lead to increased bruising. People who experience easy bruising may benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables-common dietary sources of vitamin C and flavonoids.
Supplements
Vitamins that may be helpful
Doctors often suggest that people who experience easy bruising supplement with 100 mg to 3 grams of vitamin C per day for several months. Controlled research is limited, but vitamin C supplements have been shown to reduce bruising in people with low vitamin C intake.1 Flavonoids are often recommended along with vitamin C. Flavonoids are vitamin-like substances that can help strengthen capillaries and therefore may also help with bruising.2 Flavonoids may also increase the effectiveness of vitamin C; citrus flavonoids, in particular, improve the absorption of vitamin C. Older preliminary research suggested that vitamin C, 400-800 mg per day, in combination with 400-800 mg per day of the flavonoid, hesperidin, reduced bruising in menopausal women.3 A small, preliminary trial in Germany gave three people with progressive pigmented purpura (a chronic bruising disorder) 1,000 mg per day of vitamin C and 100 mg per day of the flavonoid rutoside. After four weeks, noticeable bruising was no longer apparent and did not recur in the three month period after treatment was stopped.4 Controlled research is needed to better establish whether vitamin C and flavonoids are effective for easy bruising.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs
Herbs that may be helpful
In traditional herbal medicine, a compress or ointment of sweet clover is applied to bruises.5, 6 Enough should be applied to cover the bruise, and several applications per day may be necessary to improve healing.
Arnica is considered by some practitioners to be among the best vulnerary (wound-healing) herbs available.7 As a homeopathic remedy, arnica is often recommended as both an internal and topical means to treat minor injuries. Some healthcare practitioners recommend mixing 1 tablespoon of arnica tincture in 500 ml water, then soaking thin cloth or gauze in the liquid and applying it to the injured area for at least 15 minutes four to five times per day.
Comfrey is also widely used in traditional medicine as a topical application to help heal wounds.8
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
References
- Schorah CJ, Tormey WP, Brooks GH, et al. The effect of vitamin C supplements on body weight, serum proteins, and general health of an elderly population. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34:871-6.
- Shamrai EF. Vitamin P. Its chemical nature and mechanism of physiologic action. Uspekhi Sovremennoi Biologii 1968;65:186-201.
- Horoschak A. Nocturnal leg cramps, easy bruisability and epistaxis in menopausal patients: treated with hesperidin and ascorbic acid. Delaware State Med J 1959;Jan:19-22.
- Reinhold U, Seiter S, Ugurel S, Tilgen W. Treatment of progressive pigmented purpura with oral bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid: an open pilot study in 3 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:207-8.
- Moore M. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press, 1979, 152.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C (eds). PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Co, 1998, 966-7.
- Weiss R. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988, 342.
- Weiss R. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988, 342.
Last Review: 01-21-2009
Copyright © 2009 Aisle7 All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.
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| Overview | |
| Check list | |
| Symptoms | |
| Diet | |
| Supplements | |
| Herbs | |
| References | |