Trauma Treatment

In this post I’m going to share my experience with treating bruising and sore muscles with some classic vulneraries. Vulnerary herbs are medicinal-grade plant preparations that speed healing. They are often external applications, which means that you apply the plant extracts (oil, usually) directly onto the skin in the affected areas.

Trauma refers to impactful injuries brought on by a sudden or extraordinary circumstances. These types of injury can range wildly: knots in soft muscles, bruising, sore joints, stretched muscles, bumps on the head, swelling. Very serious trauma will require immediate emergency care and most likely a scary experience in a hospital or ambulance. Treatment with the following botanicals is only appropriate in the days and weeks after you’ve been checked out by professionals, patched up, and sent home. This information is not a substitute for medical care. 

The formula and treatment I am going to share is one I customized for myself after an unfortunate incident, when I got into an accident on my bike.  I didn’t have any broken skin, but I had a bad bump on the head, a lot of tension in the neck and shoulders, swelling on my hip and side, a bruised ankle and wrist, and nervous tension.

Classic Vulneraries and Anti-inflammatories for Physical Trauma: 

Calendula or Marigold- Calendula officianalis

You may remember calendula from my summer post about sunburn! The same mechanism of action that helps to heal sunburns on the surface of the skin also penetrates to bruised tissue and damaged stomach lining. When drank as a tea, the moistening and healing properties will treat the pain and internal ulcers of the stomach lining. Applied as an oil or in a salve, calendula diminishes vascular damage on the surface of skin.

 Arnica - Arnica montana      

Arnica is a member of the same taxonomical family as calendula, the Composite Flower family. It’s effect in healing damaged tissue is on par with that of calendula but more care must be taken with Arnica, as it is more stimulating. It can irritate the tissues being treated if applied too often. This can cause inflammation in already sore muscles or irritation of the stomach, if taken internally as a tea. Arnica oil should not be applied to broken skin. If any irritation occurs with the use of this botanical, cease use immediately. 

St. John’s Wort-  Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum has become a very popular botanical for it’s use as a sedative and pain-reliever. Taken as a tea, it relieves tension in the muscles and is especially effective in treating nerve injuries. Applied topically, St. John's Wort works wonders in diminishing inflammation and moving “catabolic waste.” This means that all of the fluids and immune reaction waste are expelled more quickly. In infection, this may not be advisable. But in the case of physical swelling those fluids do better to move quickly away from the site. This prevents stagnation, slow healing, and those ugly bruises.

Oats- Avena sativa

Oats contain many of the nutrients necessary for the proper function of nerves. They contain proteins and moistening sugars, which help to heal physical nerve damage. Oats also have antidepressant, mood elevating effects. So as it relaxes the muscles and nerves, it stimulates positive emotions. Resting and feeling sorry for yourself can really make you blue... It is important to take quite a lot of oats! Take couple of teaspoonfuls of Avena sativa extract daily. I also encourage eating your herbs! Have oatmeal for as many meals as possible while healing.

White Willow- Salix alba

Willow should be familiar to many people who have had any experience with pain-relievers-- Aspirin is derived from the active chemicals in the Salix family. It is a master pain sedative and anti-inflammatory especially in treating headaches. I would recommend taking 1 mL of extract every 4 hours to see how well you respond. If you are not particularly sensitive to pain-relievers, I recommend using capsules (200mg every 4 hours).

Herbal Oil for Treating Trauma

2 part Arnica montana flowers infused in organic olive oil

2 part Hypericum perforatum flowers infused in organic olive oil

1 part Calendula officinalis flowers infused in organic coconut oil

Rub the oil into the affected area, taking care not to apply to any broken skin. Massage the area gently until the oil is no longer slick. Ice areas with swelling. Apply warmth to ease pain when swelling subsides. Reapply oil every 4-5 hours.

Sedative for Muscle Tension and Nerves

1 part Avena sativa glycerite extract

1 part Salix alba glycerite extract

While treating the bumps and bruising it is easy to forget underlying trauma that occurs with these types of injuries. Muscles will be tense even in areas unaffected directly by injury. Pain is a constant companion for a couple of days and this sends nerves firing, working overtime. I like to think of these as stress injuries. They will set your mind and emotions on edge if not managed. Take 2 mL by mouth every 4 hours. Also, eat oatmeal and rest.
 

Tips for Effective Rest and Healing

• Take it easy. Keep off of your feet. Allow your body time to rest.
• Sleep as much as possible-- you only heal while you’re sleeping!
• Make taking care of yourself a priority. Take joy in applying the oil and eating comfort food like soup and oatmeal. These things are healing you.
• A lot of people may not be familiar or comfortable with taking care of themselves. It is a lot of work to make sure your wounds are taken care of and that you are comfortable and taking your medicine! Moms and spouses are good for this kind of stuff. ;)

Best Wishes! Take care and take care of each other.