Evidence supporting the use of: Bromelain
For the health condition: Injuries

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus) stems and fruit. Its use in supporting or treating injuries, particularly soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and bruises, is primarily justified by a combination of traditional use and scientific investigation, although the scientific evidence is moderate rather than definitive.

Several studies suggest that bromelain may help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain following trauma or surgery. The proposed mechanism is its ability to modulate inflammatory mediators, decrease neutrophil migration, and help break down fibrin and other debris at the injury site, potentially speeding up healing. A 2012 systematic review (Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine) found that bromelain supplementation was associated with reduced pain and swelling after surgical procedures and injuries, though the number of high-quality randomized controlled trials is limited. Additional studies have shown positive effects for bromelain in reducing bruising and improving recovery time in sports injuries and dental surgery.

Despite these findings, many studies suffer from methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of blinding, or inadequate controls. While the evidence is supportive and bromelain is widely used in Europe for these purposes, larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy. Overall, bromelain’s use in injury recovery is scientifically plausible and moderately supported by existing research, but it should be seen as adjunctive rather than primary therapy.

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Other ingredients used for Injuries

aloe vera
amino acids
bamboo
bayberry
beeswax
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bromelain
chymotrypsin
collagen
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
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papain
protease
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purified silver
reishi mushroom
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silicon
trypsin
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
zinc
chickweed
typhonium
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
chaff flower
boxthorne
yarrow
moss
myrrh
solomon's seal
amber
sheep's sorrel
wintergreen
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
abies spectabilis
geranium
arnica
Aralia
Avens
Asclepias cordifolia
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Animal Tissue
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Aquilegia viridiflora
Asiaticoside
Ardisia
Agave
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Aucubin
Anserina
Albumin
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Asam gelugor
Allantoin
Ampelopsis
Agonandra
Agrimonia pilosa
Acemannan
Acetylsalicylic acid
Abuta
Alkanna
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
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Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Biopeptide
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Black spruce
Blackthorn
Bulnesia sarmientoi
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Blepharis
Black-Eyed Susan
Boswellic Acid
Beef Protein
Barleria
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Benzoin
Begonia fimbristipula
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Casearia esculenta
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Calotropis gigantea
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Campylandra fimbriata
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cypress
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Carlina
Carrapichinho
Cedrus libani
Ceanothus integerrimus
Connective tissue growth factor
Cocklebur
Collinsonia
Castor Oil
Calyptridium umbellatum
Casearia sylvestris
Didymocarpus
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Deer Velvet
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