Useful herbs for bruising include, tienchi ginseng, hyssop, myrrh gum, prickly ash bark, cayenne, and arnica. Where the skin is unbroken but discolored, apply herbs in raw form with a damp cloth, or the all-natural commercial preparations in oil or ointment form. Also try:

Calendula, commonly known as "pot marigold," has long been used as a folk remedy, and has astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Find a skin lotion or salve that contains calendula or, you can steep fresh calendula flowers in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, then apply the flowers directly to the skin.

Witch hazel can be used to treat bruising, swelling, and sores. Applying witch hazel to the skin in astringent form to treat cuts and scrapes, and to reduce redness and pain from a sunburn.

Vinegar has been used over the ages to treat everything from rashes to stings, bruises, sunburn and heat exhaustion. Make a paste of apple cider vinegar and baking soda to calm and soothe the skin from bee stings, poison oak or poison ivy. Mix lavender and apple cider vinegar to treat sunburn. Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into water to replace electrolytes and combat heat exhaustion like sports drinks do. Straight vinegar will counteract the alkaline in a wasp bite. Press it against the skin in a cold compress to heal bruises.

Baking Soda (bicarbonate of soda) can draw out impurities, calm irritated skin and sooth redness. Make a paste of baking soda and very cold water to treat poison ivy, or baking soda and apple cider vinegar to treat ant bites and bee stings.