This is pretty embarrassing to admit, but last weekend I had a big fall and sustained some very bad bruising... a really big one on my arm, and a smaller one on my leg. (If you missed my newsletter last week, that's why.) The embarrassing part is that I was asleep when I fell... that's right, I fell out of bed! Fortunately the bed is fairly low, so I didn't break anything. However, I did scrape and bruise my right arm and leg fairly spectacularly.
People who don't use essential oils pretty much just watch the rainbow as a bruise turns purple and then various other colours as it lightens over time. Those of us who use oils, though, have a better way! Next time you have a bruise, here are some oils and dōTERRA blends/products to use. They help both with the pain of the injury, and they help the body to speed along processes like the resorption of dead blood (i.e. the bruise) so the area returns to normal appearance faster.
In my case, I have a limited number of oils with me (as opposed to my usual arsenal!), so I had to get creative. My very first go-to for bruising is Helichrysum but I have only one 5 mL bottle here, and it's half gone. I needed to use it sparingly. My second choice is Deep Blue blend because it contains Helichrysum and is also very soothing.
Would you believe, though (my second disaster of the day), that it slipped out of my fingers as I was applying it, and fell into the toilet of all places! I cried in disbelief because I have NEVER dropped a bottle of essential oil in a dozen years! By the time I was able to fish it out, it was completely empty. So, it was on to my third option: Birch! Birch is a fantastic choice for bruising and pain, so I applied some of that. Wintergreen is very similar to Birch, so that is another choice (although I do not have any with me). Cypress is excellent for circulation, so that is another good choice -- although it's not in my kit at the moment.
You can read more about each of these oils in the images below.
Next I looked through my other products on hand to see what else I had that I could use for bruising. I needed to apply something to the areas several times a day, and I like to switch things up -- so, I needed options! Happily, I found 4 other products that contain Helichrysum and other soothing and restorative oils.
In the first day or two, the areas were very tender. Deep Blue Rub felt AMAZING and the relief was long lasting. That was a big win and it's a great choice for bruising and soreness.
I also have a bottle of Immortelle with me, but I use it with my moisturizer every day, so I was reluctant to use much of it. I am mentioning it, though, because it's a good choice if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
Another fantastic choice for a bruised area is Correct-X. I have written about this product fairly recently in the context of an effective ointment for wounds. However, when you look at the oils in it, it's perfect for bruising as well. It's easy to apply, too... just smear some on and rub it in.
Finally -- and the product I actually used MOST on my bruised areas -- is dōTERRA's After Sun product. Check out the list of soothing and restorative ingredients in this one! In addition to Helichrysum, Frankincense, Lavender, Copaiba and other oils, you'll find Arnica Montana (great for bruising and pain), and also Hyaluronic Acid (excellent hydration for the skin) and Red Algae Extract (full of proteins and vitamins for the skin).
The bottom line of my story is to be creative when using your oils. Look at the list of oils in various blends, and look at the ingredients in other products.
Essential oils always have MANY properties, and so you always have many choices for any issue you might need help with.