Bruises and sprains

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

EMA accepts traditional cutaneous use for symptomatic relief of minor sprains and bruises. In a placebo-controlled trial of 142 people with acute ankle sprain, a comfrey root cream reduced tenderness and swelling more than placebo over 8 days, and another trial found it at least as good as diclofenac gel.

Arnica

Arnica montana

EMA accepts traditional cutaneous use for bruises. In a small rater-blinded trial of 16 volunteers with laser-induced bruises, 20% arnica ointment under occlusion improved bruising more than petrolatum, but not more than 5% vitamin K. EMA judged the clinical studies too small and poorly controlled for firm conclusions.

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides

Geniposide, its main iridoid, reduced ankle swelling by about 21–34% in a rat sprain model; there are no human trials.

Cassumunar ginger

Zingiber montanum

Used in Thailand for bruises and sprains; in the same review Plai cream showed a strong trend of benefit for ankle-sprain pain.

Genipap

Genipa americana

The leaves are used for bruises, dislocations and wound healing. A polysaccharide-rich leaf extract given intravenously reduced paw swelling and inflammatory cell migration in rats and inhibited platelet aggregation in vitro; no human studies.

Buchu

Agathosma betulina

In Cape tradition, leaves steeped in brandy or vinegar were applied to bruises, sprains, sores and contusions, and used as an antiseptic wash for infected wounds.

Daisy

Bellis perennis

Used traditionally by Europeans for bruises and broken bones. There are no clinical trials of the herb itself for bruising.

Fringe tree

Chionanthus virginicus

The Choctaw applied a poultice of beaten bark to cuts and bruises.

Himalayan teasel

Dipsacus asper

Used for traumatic haematoma, falls and blows, tendon injuries and fractures; its saponin asperosaponin VI aided tendon repair and bone formation in animal models.

Horse chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

EMA traditional use of creams and gels for the swelling and discolouration of bruises; WHO cites small trials of 2% aescin gels for sprains and bruises.

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana

In 19th–20th century Serbian folk medicine from Herzegovina, crushed root was laid on bruised areas for 'poganica', an illness attributed to blood made 'bad' by a contusion.

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

Infusions and decoctions are used externally as compresses for bruises, haemorrhages and rheumatism and as a wound-healing wash, according to folk sources summarised in a 2024 review.

Lamiophlomis

Phlomoides rotata

Tibetan and Chinese medicine use it for traumatic injury, falls, fractures and sprains, to 'promote blood circulation, relieve swelling and pain and remove blood stasis'.

Narrowleaf cattail

Typha angustifolia

Used in Chinese medicine and patent formulas such as Jinggu Dieda pills for soft-tissue contusion.

Notoginseng

Panax notoginseng

Used for traumatic swelling and pain ('dispelling stasis'), the classic indication of Yunnan Baiyao, of which it is the main herb.

Peruvian pepper

Schinus molle

Applied externally in Andean folk medicine for contusions, sprains and swellings. No clinical data.

Sweet clover

Melilotus officinalis

Germany's Commission E listed external use for bruises, sprains and superficial bleeding under the skin; EMA did not adopt this indication.

Szechuan lovage

Conioselinum anthriscoides

Used alone or in formulas for bruises and swelling in Chinese medicine.