This month, Sheila McGinnis looks at how essential oils can help with the effects of bruises and trauma on the skin.
As a toddler, they are learning to walk which comes with lots of falls. As a child, they are becoming brave and are learning lots of things that generally requires lots of falls. When we get to our “elderly” years our skin gets thinner and loses fats and moisture and we lose our elasticity and we tend to bruise more easily. It can take up to two weeks for the body to reabsorb the blood; so what can we do?
Well, most bruising is a normal part of life (please see a doctor if you are noticing more bruising that’s normal or becomes hot and very painful).
Bruising happens when our capillaries are damaged by injury to tissues where the blood accumulates and seeps under the skin. At times, you will also feel pain and swelling.
My first go to is something called Trauma Oil. This oil is made with infusing Arnica, Calendula, and St. John’s Wort into olive, sunflower, grapeseed or jojoba oil (see recipe below). This oil is a must-have in your natural first-aid kit due to its incredible anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. This on its own is wonderful for bruising as well as sprains and sciatica pain. But when you add essential oils to this you have a synergistic powerhouse of healing benefits. Essential oils that are beneficial in the healing of bruises are Lavender, Helichrysum, Frankincense, and Rosemary. You may hear of other essential oils that are beneficial, but these are my go to (see recipes below).
Trauma Oil
- Equal amounts of dried Calendula, Arnica, and St. John’s Wort
(**important for them to be dried so that mold or spoilage won’t happen) into a glass jar.
- Pour desired oil over the dried herb/flowers to cover at least 1” above and leaving at least 1/2” of space. Stir or shake gently to incorporate the oil. Put into a sunny windowsill for about 3 weeks, or for a quicker oil place your jar(remove the lid) into a pre-heated oven of 250 degrees, cut the oven off and let it stay in the oven for about 24 hours (don’t open the door).
- Strain through cheesecloth and store in cool place for up to a year.
Bruising Oil (with pain)
- Take 20 drops of Trauma Oil
- Add 5 drops of Rosemary EO
- Add 5 drops of Lavender EO
Apply to the bruised area or even add to a cold compress to decrease swelling.
Bruising Oil (with anti-inflammatory properties)
- Take 20 drops of Trauma Oil
- Add 2-4 drops of Lavender, Helichrysum, Frankincense, and Rosemary*
*Rosemary is not to be used if you have epilepsy.
The recipes above are NOT to be ingested. Only use topically.
More Recent Articles
Whole-Body Health and the Rise of Concierge Medicine in Nashville
Omega-3s and Krill Oil: The health benefits you need to know
Inflammation and detoxing: What you need to know
How to Navigate Perimenopause with Awareness and the Self-Compassion You Deserve
