Home Remedies For Bruises, Sprains

Old wives used to recommend cold steak be placed directly onto a bruise. Nowadays, ice-cold water is the best cure, or a gentler method is to swab the bruise with a warm compress and massage it gently to stimulate the circulation. Injuries that cause bruises or sprains may lead to shock and even fainting, and caution is needed in these cases.

Home remedies for Bruises and Sprains

If you have no ice, try a packet of frozen vegetables. Soak a sprained hand or foot in a bowl of warm water into which you have grated an onion and a potato.

Half an onion rubbed on the affected area will quickly soothe it. Black eyes can be miraculously cured with a cold comfrey teabag placed directly over the offending area. Witch hazel will also help to soothe swellings and also to reduce inflammation and bleeding.

Apply hot or cold compresses of vinegar, particularly the type that is made from astringent fruits such as blackberry, raspberry and rose, because they will help to reduce swelling and inflammation.

An old cook's remedy is parsley butter or oats mixed to a paste with boiling water and applied on a cloth to the affected area.

Home remedies for Fainting

A hot tea made from peppermint, sage, lemon balm or rosemary will quickly revive someone coming round after fainting. Cinnamon and honey dissolved in boiling water is also good for this. Angelica was believed by ancient wise women to be the elixir of life and can be an excellent tonic.

Caution

• If you receive a blow to the head it may cause concussion, and you should always be seen by a doctor.
• Any injury that causes bruising or a sprain may also cause shock and fainting.
• There is a big difference between clinical shock, which can kill, and the sort of mild shock people suffer when they receive bad news or minor injuries. Again, it is best to seek medical advice.