Black eye

A black eye is a bruise (also known as a contusion), which occurs through injury to the soft tissue encompassing the eye. If both eyes turn black, a fractured skull must be considered as a possible cause. Seek medical attention immediately if this is the case.

Usually the result of a blow or fall, the contusion causes small blood vessels to break and leak blood into the surrounding tissue, producing a red, then black or blue discoloration. The pressure of blowing the nose and sneezing can reinjure the area.

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as green, leafy vegetables, apples and citrus fruits will help blood capillaries heal quickly. It is best to eat these foods raw, as vitamin C is destroyed by heat. Raw foods also provide enzymes, the essential immune system boosters. Flax seed oil will help reabsorb the blood from bruises, reducing inflammation. Eat a salad of fresh, raw vegetables dressed with lemon juice and two tablespoons of flax seed oil daily.

Supplements and herbs

Vitamin C and bioflavonoids are needed to heal tissues and strengthen blood vessels. Vitamin E is an excellent support for healing bruises. Both vitamins C and E are antioxidants, preventing free radicals from causing further damage to tissues after any injury.

Herbal compresses reduce inflammation and speed the healing of a black eye.

• Apply compresses of fennel, chamomile, calendula blossoms and peppermint to soothe and heal the injury.
• Use eyebright and cornflower to prevent infections, heal inflammation and ease swelling and eye strain.
• White melilot is an antiseptic. Plantain leaves are effective if the eyelids are inflamed.

What else you can do

• To reduce the swelling, apply cool medicinal  clay packs or quark packs, and renew them every half hour. Add a few drops of horsetail tincture to the clay for better effect. To draw out toxins and speed healing, alternate the clay pack with cabbage leaf poultices.
• In case of severe swelling, use ice packs.

How much to take

• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three times daily
• Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU  one to two times daily

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