Bruises: general, wormwood salve, witchhazel.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Scars and Bruises
From: sweeti.slip.net
Date: 12 May 1995 01:35:38 GMT

I recently read that plain white sugar was rubbed into cuts and wounds to help prevent scarring.
Has anyone ever heard of this? I know sugar isn't an herb, but..well..if anyone would know I
figured it would be someone on here. ;)

Also, I remember running across something ages ago about an herb used to prevent bruising.
Anyone know what that may be..and how to use it? (I just got two huge puppies and well..they
love to jump and play. Let's just say I am tired of everyone asking who hit me after a play
session with the pups ;D)

From: rhiannon.indy.net (rhiannon)

>I recently read that plain white sugar was rubbed into cuts and wounds to help prevent scarring.

I've also heard of people putting honey on cuts, it has antiseptic properties. I'm not sure about the bruising though. I will check my books and see what I can find out.

From: ntlor.primenet.com (Sebastian Rust)

> I've also heard of people putting honey on cuts, it has antiseptic properties.

Differences between sugar and honey would be that the wound would completely dry out with sugar, ok if you need the wound to dry up, and honey would dry the wound somewhat but it would seal the moisture in also and it does not competely dry out, this would be for sores you do not want to dry out yet.

Now as for prevention of bruising, I think you need to look at your recent history. If you have taken antibiotics recently? Then you may need to replace the flora of your intestines, so you will be producing enough vitamin K. Things to help replace the flora of your intestines and help provide vitamin K are: yougurt, cabbage, spinach, kale, cauliflower .

Are you taking asprin every day?or any other anti-coagulant? Talk to your doctor about this, the risks and benifits need to be weighed before you discontinue an anti-coagulant. Your doc might adjust your doseage.

Some people need some additional vitamin C and bioflavonides they increase your capilary strength and help keep the tissues from being so fragile. Some dietary sorces are citrus fruits and the white stuff under the peel, sweet peppers, fresh greens, strawberries, rosehips , black currants and guava.
Sharon Rust

From: johnna.unixg.ubc.ca (Johnna E Fisher)

For Bruises, this *really* works:

Melt white petrolium jelly in a double boiler slowly. Add calendula and wormwood and simmer gently for 1 hour. Strain thru cheesecloth, squeezing very gently. Simmer liquid again and add enough melted beeswax to create a creamy, soft consistency. (You can make this salve with plain cold-pressed oils, too. -Henriette)

Apply this concoction to skin immediately after bumps have occured. It will not work after the bruise has already formed, but is excellent at stoping one from forming.

Once I dropped a full can of apple juice on the top of my foot. After quickly applying the bruise balm I did not get a bruise, altho the foot was tender to the touch. I find it works wonders with my young daughter, esp for knees and forehead (can't stand when she walks around with big bruises on her forehead from learning to walk & bumping into things). Since it needs to be used right away after bumps, I keep a small pot of it in my purse.

Good luck!
Johnna

From: twoatara.aol.com (Twoatara)

Freeze some witchhazel in an icecube tray, and rub on sore spots. This should prevent bruising and swelling