4 Easy Ways To Naturally Lighten Bruises

Here’s 4 easy ways to get rid of those annoying black and blues! 

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a little clumsy. I trip in flat shoes, slip down stairs… actually, anyone who was sitting in the lobby of our building last Tuesday around 3:30 pm would have been front and center for my free fall down a couple flights.

Because of this common human flaw, I fall culprit to bruises, and most of the time I don’t even remember how I get them. I’ll also blame it on exercise. I’m in a gym or outside running at least 3-4 times a week, which puts me more at risk of getting a few black and blue marks here and there. Sometimes even the slightest little nudge into something can cause the little tiny blood vessels close to the surface of our skin to break. Normally I’ll just ride it out and wait for the bruising to subside, but I’ve been curious if there’s a way to speed up the process. Here’s the lowdown on 4 easy ways to naturally lighten up annoying bruises!

Vitamin C + D

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Vitamin C heals wounds and helps to repair tissue. Consuming foods high in Vitamin C can help strengthen your body’s response to bruising, and will drastically cut down healing time. Foods like oranges, mangoes, broccoli, kale, peppers, and papaya are great to start incorporating into your diet for long term benefits. Vitamin D is also proven to help lighten up bruises. Try exposing your bruised area in the sun for about 10-15 minutes each day to speed up the process. The ultraviolet light will break down bilirubin which causes bruises to turn yellow.

Parsley

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Take a handful of fresh parsley leaves and grind them up. Spread the crushed up parsley over the bruised area and wrap with a clear plastic bandage (Saran wrap will work, too!) Parsley is high in Vitamin K which is a natural anticoagulant (helps to prevent blood from clotting) and will help to stop a wound from bruising.  You can also try making parsley ice cubes. Take one cup of parsley and two tablespoons of water and grind it up using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Place the mixture in ice cube trays and stick it in the freezer. Rub the parsley ice cubes over the bruised area to help swelling and discoloration!

Chocolate

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Chocolate might be one of the fastest ways to reduce bruising. Melt a bar over the stove or in the microwave and rub a little of the hot melted chocolate over the bruise. Place a bandage over the chocolate, making a hot compress against the bruise. Try doing this overnight, then wiping off in the morning. Make sure all of the chocolate is fully covered so it doesn’t make a mess!

Onion

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The natural anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties that onions have make them a great remedy for treating bruises. Cut off a slice of raw onion and hold it over the bruise for about 10-20 minutes. For a more intense method, dice up half of an onion and mix it up with about 2-3 tablespoons of salt. Rub the mixture on the bruise, cover it with a bandage, and keep the mixture on overnight. In the morning, the swelling and bruising should be far less intense!

+ Do you have any other natural remedies to help treat bruises? Let us know in the comments below! 

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8 years ago

Thanks for sharing these tips! There’s just a problem with the chocolate method you listed: I’d probably lick it out before the bruise heals eheheh :P
xo – Marta
http://www.surfragette.com

Erin
8 years ago

arnica gel works wonders! It has zero scents do also works to ease muscle pain and swelling. It’s available at store like Whole Foods or Sprouts here in the west.

8 years ago

I would rather eat the chocolate than put it on my bruises… I think I’ll stick with the parsley and lemon method

http://lifeandcity.tumblr.com

Bethany
8 years ago

This was so helpful! I’m always getting bruises out of no where! I will definitely try this only bruises.
Keep Dreaming, Bethany
http://www.blissfuldreaming.com

8 years ago

This is such a unique blogpost idea, super helpful! I’m always getting arm bruises from yoga arm balances so am eager to try these out

http://www.roadtorustic.com

Sherell
8 years ago

Potatoes gets rid of bruises within a day or so.

Anonymous
5 years ago

What do u do with it?

Cecilia Harris
4 years ago

Thanks for the great info. I got hit in face whike at work and have been trying to find something other then ice to make bruise go away