Do you bruise easily? Or when you do get bruised, does the unsightly mark and uncomfortable swelling linger for longer than you would like? 

If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s something you can do to help combat bruising, you’ve come to the right place. One of our favorite natural remedies is using an essential oil for bruises and swelling that can aid the healing process. If you’re tired of waiting several weeks for your bruised skin to return to normal, consider using natural body products such as essential oils to help speed up the recovery process of bruises!

Curious about what essential oil is good for bruises? Let’s dive in. 

Why Do We Bruise? 

To understand how aromatherapy can act as a natural remedy to help minimize bruises, it’s important to touch on the root causes of bruising. 

For anyone who lives an active lifestyle, bruises are an inevitability. We bump into things, fall, or just get discombobulated. Our reward for such blunders is that lovely colored welt.   

By definition, bruises are known as contusions. Contusions are dark patches that form on the skin—typically on the arms or legs—which can turn any combination of several colors:

• Violet

• Purple

• Green

• Yellow

• Blue

• Red

• Brown

When your muscles experience a collision or significant contact, the ensuing pressure causes subdermal blood vessels (capillaries) directly beneath the skin to rupture. Your body reacts to the blow or affected area the same way it would for a cut. The only difference is the skin is not broken; instead, the bleeding occurs and pools beneath the skin. 

The telltale discoloration is simply the result of subcutaneous blood clotting. Eventually, as the affected area heals (usually within 2 to 4 weeks), the body reabsorbs the blood, and the bruise slowly changes colors and then fades. 

What Is The Best Essential Oil For Bruises?

So, we all get bruises, but is there a way to speed up the healing process? 

Per standard medical advice, the best thing you can do for any injury is R.I.C.E.—Rest, ice, compress, elevate. This method is particularly applicable if the bruising results from a larger injury like a sprained ankle. 

As for using essential oils as a complementary treatment, the following have been applied for decades, if not centuries, to help with contusions: 

Fine Lavender 

One of the most commonly used essential oils (and for a good reason), Fine Lavender not only can help with relaxation and sleep but also has restorative properties that promote healing. A 2016 study on Lavender oil discovered that: 

“Lavender essential oil has the potential to promote wound healing in the early phase by acceleration of formation of granulation tissue, tissue remodeling by collagen replacement and wound contraction.” 

Our essential oil rollers are compact and convenient products to use on the go. Simply apply a Lavender Roll-On topically without needing to dilute before application. 

Frankincense

Frankincense essential oil has natural properties that soothe pain and reduce inflammation. But minimizing bruises is just one of its uses. Frankincense exudes a powerful, heady aroma that can help open up your sinuses, relax your body, and induce sleep (another vital component of the healing process). 

Turmeric  

Often paired with Frankincense, Turmeric EO is frequently used to promote healing and pain relief. A 2013 study on the two essential oils found that Tumeric oil effectively reduced pain, pressure, and bruising.  

Rosemary

Rosemary oil not only contributes to the resting portion in the R.I.C.E. healing equation (thanks to its therapeutic properties), it also promotes subdermal blood circulation. This increases the speed at which blood is reabsorbed, thus reducing the bruise’s duration. 

Helichrysum Italicum

Sometimes referred to as the “everlasting flower,” Helichrysum essential oil has been used by aromatherapists for decades to help with bruising. It has anti-hematoma properties that can reduce inflammation. By applying topically, you can expect that size and coloration of the bruise will both be minimized. 

Other essential oils to consider include Geranium, Tea Tree and Cypress.

What Are The Factors That Impact Bruising? 

Typically, the harder the bump, the bigger the bruise. That said, some people bruise more easily due to having a skin condition, where even small bumps can turn into large bruises. Also, as you age, your skin thins out and loses its insulating layer. This causes bruising to become more common. 

Additionally, according to Mayo Clinic, there are certain medications that contribute to bruising:

“Aspirin, anticoagulant medications and anti-platelet agents reduce your blood's ability to clot. Antibiotics might also be associated with clotting problems. As a result, bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop—which allows enough blood to leak out to cause a bigger bruise. Topical and systemic corticosteroids cause your skin to thin, making it easier to bruise.”  

If you do experience frequent bruising, don’t stop taking your prescribed medication before talking with your doctor. 

When You Should See A Doctor 

Although bruises occur for every person, some bruising could signal an underlying nutritional deficiency or medical issue. If a bruised area takes longer than 2-4 weeks to heal or you are experiencing excessive/consistent bruising, talk to your doctor. 

Your health is important. It’s better to be safe than sorry. So if you notice an alarming bruising pattern, act immediately. 

We all get bruises—both young and old alike. Some people get them more frequently than others, but typically they’re just your body’s normal attempt to heal an injury (however minor). 

If you do have a bruise and are considering using essential oils to help with bruising, our oils will be your helpful aid. We share fun, DIY essential oil recipes and have more than 250 single oils and diffuser blends, many of which have healing properties to help manage bruising. 

Sources:

1. Cigna. Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin. https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/hw/medical-topics/bruises-and-blood-spots-under-the-skin-bruse
2. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. Wound healing potential of lavender oil by acceleration of granulation and wound contraction through induction of TGF-β in a rat model. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4880962/
3. PubMed. Perioperative Arnica montana for Reduction of Ecchymosis in Rhinoplasty Surgery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25954844/
4. Semantic Scholar. Efficacy and Tolerability of An Essential Oil Formulation. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/EFFICACY-AND-TOLERABILITY-OF-AN-ESSENTIAL-OIL-OIL-A-Kizhakkedath/be145fc982f8224d89c043836e293beae89d1973
5. Mayoclinic. Easy Bruising. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762