By The Aroma-Zone editorial team
Published on: Wednesday, August 03, 2022, Updated on: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Bumping into the corner of a piece of furniture, having a fall, injuring yourself doing DIY or gardening... it happens and it's part of life! Thanks to their antiseptic, haemostatic and healing properties, essential oils are invaluable in these situations. Helichrysum italicum, St John's wort, spike lavender, etc. Find out how to use these natural treasures in combination with carrier oils to provide effective relief and make those little aches and pains disappear fast!
Contents
While essential oils have exceptional anticoagulant and blood-thinning properties, carrier oils are excellent massage aids for reducing bruising and getting rid of them.
Opt for the incomparable arnica macerated oil, high in powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, very beneficial for soothing painful areas, reducing the formation of bruises and helping them fade. Improve the effects with arnica CO2 extract to multiply the benefits tenfold and speed up the disappearance of bruises.
Although essential oils are particularly effective for getting rid of bruises, knocks and bumps, we recommend limiting their use to the body.
Opt for a blend of tamanu carrier oil, a circulatory and fluid tonic, and arnica carrier oil, soothing and restorative, to fade an unsightly bruise or black eye.
Very helpful for bruises, tamanu carrier oil is also very effective for making very dark blue circles disappear.
An ecchymosis (commonly known as a "bruise") and a haematoma are both caused by a build-up of blood in the skin. Although often harmless, they may require medical attention, especially in the case of haematomas.
A bruise occurs when a small amount of blood escapes from the blood vessels but remains within the thickness of the skin.
A haematoma is deeper and is a larger subcutaneous haemorrhage, forming a more extensive build-up of blood.
Muscle contusion is an injury to the muscle caused by a fall or blow without the skin being torn. Contusion involves 2 types of injury:
simple crushing of the muscle fibres (sensitivity to touch, pain on contraction) which may leave a slight bruise under the skin. In this case, there is nothing to stop you continuing your sports activities.
a muscle tear with the formation of a large haematoma. In this case, depending on the limb affected, the person is unable to move or go about their daily activities without help.
After a violent blow to a bone, a bump may appear. Immediately apply an ice pack to the bump (never ice in direct contact with the skin to avoid frostbite) for about 5 minutes or, alternatively, apply very cold water compresses, changing every 20 to 30 seconds to maintain a low temperature. The cold helps the vessels to contract, reducing the spread of blood and preventing the lump from developing.
As a general rule, a lump will take a few days to a few weeks to fade, and will disappear as the haematoma fades if it is properly treated.
When a child has a haematoma after a blow or a fall, it is essential to take appropriate measures to help the haematoma to heal. However, you must be careful when using essential oils on children. In general, it is advisable to avoid using essential oils on children under the age of 3. For older children, it is possible to use certain essential oils, but with specific precautions and proper dilution.
Before using essential oils on a child, it is strongly recommended that you consult a healthcare professional or aromatherapist for age-appropriate advice. For children under the age of 3, you can apply cold compresses to the affected area to reduce inflammation.
If you have any doubts or need specific information, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for age-appropriate advice.
Using essential oils to treat bruises, bumps and haematomas is generally safe, but it is important to observe a few precautions and contraindications. Essential oils are powerful and must be diluted in a suitable carrier oil before application to the skin. It is essential to carry out a skin tolerance test by applying a small quantity of the mixture to a small area of the skin to check that there is no allergic reaction. This test should be carried out at least 48 hours before using on a larger area.
If in doubt, consult an aromatherapist or healthcare professional. What's more, certain essential oils are not recommended for pregnant women, young children, people with epilepsy or those suffering from certain medical conditions.
It is therefore essential to check the specific contraindications for each essential oil and take appropriate precautions according to the situation. If in doubt, it is always advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare professional or experienced aromatherapist.
Did you know? Black eyes were often soothed by laying a raw steak on them in the past!
Aude Maillard
Doctor of Pharmacy, graduate of the Tours Faculty of Pharmacy
Blisters
Burns
Sunburn
Scrapes, sores, cuts
Skin care tips
