Healing Foods for Bruises
Pineapples contain the compound bromelain which can be an effective method for treating a black eye. Try adding some pineapple to your diet if you find a bruise not healing as quickly as you would like it to.
Blueberries which are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids may help strengthen weakened capillaries and help prevent the blood that leaks after a bump. Both bioflavins and vitamin C help build collagen in the body. The quicker collagen is formed and the thicker it is the healing time tends to be shorter for a bruise.
For a healthy bruise fighting combination try eating some blueberries, which are a good source of both Vitamin C and flavonoid. Blueberries contain the type of flavonoid called proathocyanidins, which are known to strengthen the walls of capillaries weakened by bruising. Blueberries also have the capillary preserving compound rutin, eascin and hyperoside. An easy way to add blueberries to your diet is to add them to pancakes. If your pancakes are made with buckwheat, which is also a significant source of rutin, you will get two times the benefits when you add blueberries.
Citrus fruits are another excellent source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. You can boost your vitamin C intake by trying acai juice, which comes from an Amazonian palm fruit. Or the camu-camu fruit, which is known as one of the richest sources of vitamin C. Of course the more familiar foods, which are full of vitamin C, are citrus peel marmalade, guava, tomatoes, blueberries, and citrus juices.
Green leafy vegetables have been known to help and ward off bruising because of their vitamin K content. For some reason, people who are deficient in this vitamin tend to get more bruises. To get more leafy green vegetables in your diet eat spinach, kale, broccoli and brussels sprouts.
Pansies are another outstanding source of bioflavonoid rutin, which is more a preventative method than a cure for bruises. Although it is unusual to eat a fresh pansy every day, edible pansies can give you a significant dose of rutin, about 20 mg, which may lessen your vulnerability to not only bruises but also to glaucoma, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. If you rather not eat an edible pansy you can also apply them directly to the bruise.
Chamomile is not just to soothe your nerves it can also soothe the discomfort of a bruise. Chamomile contains analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Simply applying a chamomile tea bag after you have enjoyed a cup a tea to the bruise might ease some of the discomfort.
Parsley, a topical remedy that can be chopped up, placed on the bruise and wrapped with an elastic bandage for an hour or so. The parsley will decrease inflammation, reduce the pain and help the bruise fade more quickly. It contains rutin and nearly two dozen anti anti-inflammatories, half a dozen analgesics and other compounds that can reduce swelling.
Potatoes are another topical remedy. Perhaps an old wives tale but people have claimed that placing a raw potato on a bruise is more effective than using a beefsteak.
