6 herbal remedies for cuts and bruises

Many of these homemade recipes use herbs and other natural ingredients that were known to our ancestors and have an honourable place in the history of healing. So the next time you've got a nasty cut or bruise, give them a try.

• 60 ml (4 tbsp) calendula ointment (below)
• 40 drops lavender essential oil
• 20 drops tea tree essential oil
• 10 drops chamomile essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

  1. In a small sterile jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the calendula ointment with the essential oils, mixing thoroughly.

  2. Apply a small amount to the cleaned injury. Keep the remainder in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.

• 45 ml (3 tbsp) fresh calendula petals
• 75 ml (1/3 c) light olive oil
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) chopped beeswax
• 1 capsule vitamin E, 400 IU

  1. Put the calendula petals in a double boiler and crush slightly with the back of a spoon. Add the olive oil and simmer for two hours over low heat.

  2. Strain the liquid into a bowl, pressing against the strainer with the back of a spoon to extract all the oils.

  3. Return the liquid to the double boiler. Over medium heat, add the chopped beeswax and stir until it melts. Remove from the double boiler and beat the mixture until it cools and becomes creamy and thick. Pierce the vitamin E capsule with a needle, squeeze in the contents and mix.

  4. Spoon into a sterilized 135 millilitre (4 1/2 ounce) jar with a tight top, seal and keep in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.

• 30 to 45 ml (2 to 3 tbsp) grated beeswax
• 250 ml (1 c) olive or almond oil
• 2 capsules vitamin E, 400 IU
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops spike lavender or French lavender essential oil
• 10 drops chamomile essential oil
• 10 drops fir essential oil

  1. In the top of a double boiler over low heat, melt the beeswax. Stir in the olive or almond oil. Remove from the heat. Pierce each vitamin E capsule with a needle and squeeze the contents into the mixture. Then stir in the essential oils.

  2. Pour into a small sterilized jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in a cool, dark place. Use as needed on wounds. Should last a year.

• Liquid castile soap
• Lavender essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Tea tree essential oil

  1. To the castile soap, add lavender, rosemary and tea tree essential oils (10 drops total per 60 millilitres/two ounces of soap). Dilute with more soap if skin is especially sensitive to any of the essential oils.

  2. Use to clean off cuts and abrasions.

• 50 ml (1/4 c) water
• 50 ml (1/4 c) witch hazel or cider vinegar
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint or juniper essential oil

  1. In a bowl, mix the water, witch hazel or vinegar and the essential oils. Soak a flannel cloth in the liquid, wring it out until nearly dry and then place over injured area.

  2. Cover with plastic wrap so the skin absorbs the essential oils and cover the whole thing with a towel. Apply the compress for 30 minutes up to three times daily.

• 10 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops juniper essential oils
• 30 drops carrier oil (olive or almond)

  1. In a small bowl, mix the essential oils with the carrier oil.

  2. Massage the mixture gently into bruised areas every two hours.