Bruises

Bruises

You've probably heard of using raw beefsteak to treat black eyes and other bad bruises. But what about pineapple? If the tropical fruit worked on boxers' bruises, would you be interested?

Two physicians I respect--Melvyn Werbach, M.D., assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, and naturopath Michael Murray, N.D., co-authors of Botanical Influences on Illness--both seem impressed by an old study on bromelain, a protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzyme in pineapple, for treating bruises.

In this study, researchers gave bromelain to 74 boxers with numerous bruises, while 72 other bruised boxers received an inactive substitute (placebo). Among those receiving the placebo, 14 percent healed in four days. But among the boxers taking bromelain, 78 percent healed in four days.

How does it work? Bromelain appears to inhibit the formation of prostaglandin E₂, a chemical in the body that is involved in inflammation. At the same time, it stimulates the production of prostaglandin E₁, an anti-inflammatory chemical.

Pineapple's No Panacea

Those black-and-blue marks known as bruises are actually caused by blood that leaks out of capillaries just under the skin, usually after an injury. Black eyes are more common in men than women, while blue spots occur most frequently on the legs of older women.

If I were a charlatan, I could push pineapple juice or pineapple concentrate as a treatment for this condition. The press releases would be fun to write: "Recent Study Confirms the Folklore: Pineapple Takes the Purple Out of Pugilists' Punched Pupils."

I'm not that strongly in favor of bromelain, however. In fact, I don't think pineapple and bromelain represent the best natural approach to either the prevention or treatment of bruises. Bromelain occurs in very low levels in pineapple, and only about 40 percent of it gets from the digestive tract to other parts of the body.

Then, how about pure bromelain? After all, you can buy it at many natural food stores. Naturopaths, who are big on bromelain, suggest taking 150 to 450 milligrams three times a day on an empty stomach to treat bruises, many sports injuries, swelling and inflammation.

Perhaps it is as effective as the naturopaths say, but personally I'd suggest fruits that are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, such as oranges and other citrus fruits. Bioflavonoids are beneficial nutrients that often show up in foods that are rich in vitamin C, and together these nutrients help strengthen capillary walls, making them more resistant to the blood leakage that causes bruises. When bruises occur, vitamin C and bioflavonoids help capillary walls--and black-and-blue marks--heal more rapidly.

Green Pharmacy for Bruises

While you're feasting on pineapple and citrus fruit, however, you might also try some other traditional herbal treatments that have scientific merit.

Arnica (Arnica montana). This herb, also known as mountain daisy, is helpful in treating bruises, according to Commission E, the body of experts that advises the German government about herbs.

Arnica, which has pain-relieving, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, is best reserved for use on the skin. While you should not take it internally to treat bruises, you can make a healing solution using one teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep until cool and then apply with a clean cloth. Or make the solution using tincture of arnica; a few drops per cup of water will do it. Commercial, mostly homeopathic arnica ointments are also available. Look for a product containing up to 15 percent arnica oil and follow the package directions.

comfrey (Symphytum officinale). comfrey is among the oldest herbal remedies for skin problems, dating back to ancient Greece. Modern researchers have discovered that it contains allantoin, a chemical that promotes skin repair. Allantoin is an ingredient in a number of commercial skin creams.

A review of the scientific literature by Commission E uncovered evidence that comfrey is also anti-inflammatory. That's why the commission endorsed applying it to the skin to treat bruises, dislocations and sprains.

To treat bruises, medical anthropologist and herb expert John Heinerman recommends first-aid application of ice packs, then a bandage soaked in comfrey tea. Quick action can prevent some discoloration.

It's probably a good idea not to ingest comfrey, however. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, compounds that are toxic to the liver, and there is some controversy about its safety.

Grape (Vitis vinifera). In recent years, a chemical found in grape seeds and pine bark has become a popular, though expensive, supplement. It is sold under the brand name Pycnogenol. According to some naturopaths,
Pycnogenol increases levels of vitamin C in the body's cells and strengthens the capillaries against the kind of traumatic injury that causes bruises. I'm not entirely sold on Pycnogenol, but by blending grape seeds into grape juice, you can get some for free.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum). Repeated applications of crushed parsley leaves will usually clear up any black-and-blue marks within a day or so. I plan to try parsley the next time I get a bruise.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum). Old-timers claim that raw potato is better than beefsteak for a black eye. Me, too. Cheapskate semi-vegetarian that I am, I would surely apply a potato, along with some other herbs mentioned in this chapter, before using beefsteak.

St.-John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum). This herb has a reddish oil that may ooze out when the plant is handled, making it seem to bleed.
According to tradition, it came to be used for skin conditions simply because skin also bleeds. Although such reasons seem silly now, there has been some
scientific verification that the herb is useful for treating bruises, burns, cuts and other wounds. Commission E has endorsed it for these uses. Try steeping one to two teaspoons of dried herb in vegetable oil for a few days. Then use the oil to treat bruises.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). The astringency of the leaves and bark of witch hazel made it a popular early American remedy for all sorts of skin conditions, from bruises to varicose veins. Witch hazel water is available at pharmacies.