Bruising (The Sunday Times, 25 June 2006)

Printer friendly page


Q. I bruise easily and I desperately want to lessen the appearance of my existing bruises in time for my summer holiday. I have heard that arnica may help, but I’m not sure how to use it, and wondered if there is anything else you could recommend?



A. Bruises are caused by blood vessels breaking and blood leaking into the skin. As you are prone to bruising — and, equally, healing slowly — you could be deficient in vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids give many fruit and vegetables their colour and can strengthen capillaries and thus ease bruising. Ensure your diet is packed with healing fruit and vegetables such as bilberries, red onions, grapes, carrots and citrus fruit.

Arnica, a wonderful alpine plant, was used in 16th-century Europe by physicians as a remedy for wounds and bruising. Shepherds reported that animals grazing on arnica would recover swiftly when injured. Today, arnica is still renowned for its ability to promote the healing of damaged tissue and aid recovery from injury.

For light bruising, try topical treatment first. Start by massaging Weleda’s Massage Balm with Arnica (£4.70 for 50ml; £1.50 for 10ml travel size) into your skin after a bath or shower while still warm. Apply it sparingly and, ideally, several times a day until the condition improves.

For prominent bruises, use Weleda’s Arnica Ointment (£4.20 for 25g). If bruising is particularly heavy, suck a 6C-strength arnica tablet (£4.25 for 125) three to four times a day for up to a week, as well as applying one of the external preparations. To order all these products, visit www.weleda.co.uk.




By using this website or any of it's information you are agreeing to these terms and conditions.