Bruise clues

Natural Health, Feb, 2007 by Angela Hynes

A CLOSE ENCOUNTER between your shin and a coffee table is likely to result in a colorful contusion (and equally colorful language). The outward sign of bleeding under the skin, a bruise can linger as an unsightly nuisance for up to three weeks as it morphs from red to purple to green to yellow. Try these remedies to speed up the healing.--Angela Hynes

what       ICE, THEN HEAT                 BROMELAIN

why        Applied immediately after      Besides promoting digestion,
           injury, ice reduces pain       this pineapple-derived
           and swelling and constricts    combination of protein-
           blood vessels to prevent       digesting enzymes also
           further bleeding under the     helps reduce inflammation.
           skin. Following later with
           heat boosts circulation in
           the area to help dispel the
           pooled blood.

evidence   A study at Malmo University    An early 1960s study
           Hospital in Sweden found       published in Practitioner
           that ice applied for 10        found that boxers who
           minutes after a soft-tissue    supplemented with bromelain
           injury can decrease blood      recovered from face and
           flow to the area by 50         chest bruising in about four
           percent. Extensive sports      days, compared with 7 to 14
           medicine research confirms     days for those who did not
           that cold promotes blood       take bromelain.
           viscosity and helps lessen
           pain.

caveats    Never leave ice on skin for    If you're pregnant or have
           more than 30 minutes; for      high blood pressure, a
           areas with little fat or       bleeding disorder, or kidney
           muscle, such as fingers or     or liver disease, talk to
           feet, the limit is 10          your doctor before taking
           minutes. Extreme cold          bromelain.
           can cause tissue and nerve
           damage, which may be masked
           by the temperature's numbing
           effect.

using it   Wrap an ice pack in a towel    Take 500 milligrams three
           and hold it against the        times a day between meals.
           bruise for 10 to 20 minutes    Look for supplements
           several times a day for the    containing at least 1,200
           first 48 hours after an        GDU (gelatin-dissolving
           injury. Thereafter--and only   units) per gram, such as
           if swelling is gone--switch    Source Naturals bromelain
           to hot compresses.             tablets or capsules ($14.50;
                                          at health food stores).

what       ARNICA MONTANA

why        A longtime folk remedy for bruises,
           the extract of this flowering
           plant is used to reduce both
           inflammation and pain.

evidence   In a placebo-controlled study
           published in 2006 in the Archives
           of Facial Plastic Surgery, face-lift
           patients who used an oral homeopathic
           arnica treatment called
           SinEcch lessened the severity of
           postoperative bruising.

caveats    While oral arnica can be toxic,
           taking it in homeopathic doses is
           considered safe. Topical arnica in
           cream or gel form is safe, though
           scientific evidence of its efficacy
           isn't as strong as that for the oral
           formulation.

using it   Boiron offers a two-pronged
           approach: oral homeopathic arnica
           plus topical cream or gel ($11.50;
           www.drugstore.com). A four-day,
           12-tablet regimen of SinEcch is
           available for $30 from Alpine
           Pharmaceuticals (www.alpinepharm.com).