Natural Remedy Guides
A knock against the corner of a table, a fall, a heavy tackle — and within hours the skin blooms into the familiar purple of a bruise. Where the bleeding is deeper or larger it forms a haematoma: a tender, swollen pocket of trapped blood that can take weeks to clear on its own.
This guide explains how the antihomotoxic approach helps the body reabsorb bruises and haematomas more quickly, and how the Biotherapeutic Index uses Traumeel S from the moment of impact.
Understanding bruises and haematomas
A bruise forms when a blow ruptures small blood vessels and blood leaks into the surrounding tissue; a haematoma is the same process on a larger scale, with a collection of blood the body must then break down and clear. In the homotoxicology framework haematomas are placed in the haemodermal or mesenchymal deposition phase — material that has been deposited in the tissue and needs to be reabsorbed (Biotherapeutic Index, Therapeutic Index, 'Haematomas').
The aim of treatment is to calm the initial reaction and then actively support absorption, so the trapped blood clears and the tenderness and swelling resolve faster than they would alone.
The antihomotoxic approach
The compendium names a single main remedy for haematomas: Traumeel S. It is used 'initially as massive initial-dose therapy for several hours' — that is, very frequent small doses in the first day — tapering as the bruise settles, with Traumeel Gel or Traumeel S ointment applied locally over the area.
Arnica, the plant traditionally reached for after any bump, is one of the key active partners within Traumeel S — which is why the combination is so well suited to bruising. Where a practitioner is involved, the Index describes Traumeel S given by injection intradermally over the haematoma; the classic single remedy Arnica-Injeel is also available for this purpose.
Recommended remedies
The preparations the compendium names for bruises and haematomas:
- Traumeel S — the main remedy, taken by mouth as drops (or tablets) from the moment of impact.
- Traumeel Gel and Traumeel S ointment — applied locally over the bruise on unbroken skin.
- Arnica-Injeel — the classic single homeopathic remedy for bruising, used by practitioners by injection.
- Calendula-Salbe-Heel S — for use over any grazed or broken skin, where Traumeel ointment should not be applied directly.
How to use them
Straight after the injury the compendium uses Traumeel S as massive initial-dose therapy: 10-20 drops every quarter of an hour for the first few hours, then every half hour, hourly on the second day, and 3-4 times daily from the third day as the bruise fades. Traumeel Gel or ointment is applied locally over the area at the same time — the gel is often the more comfortable choice on a fresh, tender bruise.
For a large or slow-clearing haematoma, a practitioner may inject Traumeel S intradermally over the area to speed absorption. Keep topical Traumeel to intact skin; if the skin is broken, use Calendula-Salbe-Heel S over the graze instead.
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Source: Protocols and quotations from the Heel Biotherapeutic Index — Ordinatio Antihomotoxica et Materia Medica, 5th revised English edition (Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, 2000): Therapeutic Index, 'Haematomas' (and its cross-reference to 'Wounds'), with the Traumeel S, Arnica-Injeel and Calendula-Salbe-Heel S monographs.