Arnica does in fact have similar therapeutic effects as NSAIDs in treating osteoarthritis pain, but patients have reported more adverse effects with arnica gel than with ibuprofen (25).
It is often treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other pain relievers. In one review of several studies, Australian researchers looked at seven trials of topical herbal remedies for osteoarthritis. 4 Arnica gel appeared to work nearly as well as Advil (ibuprofen).
The beneficial impact of Arnica on pain relief may be the result of its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities [10,47,48]. The anti-inflammatory properties of Arnica have been widely investigated in cell and animal models.
Precautions. Arnica is generally safe when used on the skin. However, using it for a long time may irritate the skin, causing eczema, peeling, blisters, or other skin conditions. Arnica should not be used on broken skin, such as leg ulcers.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don't take arnica by mouth or apply it to the skin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is considered likely unsafe. Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Arnica may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family.
"Arnica helps heal and decrease inflammation, relieves pain and soreness, and helps decrease bruising," she says. (BTW, this is why you're bruising so easily.) Likewise, Timur Lokshin, D.A.C.M., a licensed acupuncturist in New York, recommends arnica for acute inflammation.
Yes, the effectiveness of arnica cream does depend on the severity of the injury. For mild injuries, arnica cream can reduce inflammation and pain within a few hours. However, for more severe injuries, it may take several days or even weeks for arnica cream to work effectively.
In fact, many of the most reputable plastic surgeons in the world recommend arnica cream as a treatment plan for reducing the swelling and bruising that results after many of their medical procedures.
In vitro studies show that arnica has antimicrobial (1) and anti-inflammatory (2) properties. A few clinical trials suggest that topical arnica is helpful for osteoarthritis (3) (4) (5), and significantly reduces bruising compared with placebo or low-concentration vitamin K ointments (6).
Arnica Uses
If eaten, the actual herb is toxic to the liver and can be fatal. However, some oral supplements contain highly diluted arnica. These are considered homeopathic treatments. These low-dose arnica tablets have been studied for muscle pain, diabetic eye damage, and swelling and pain after surgery.
Arnica was found to be as efficacious as ibuprofen in alleviating postextraction pain in 8–12-year-old children. This is in accordance with the previous study reported in literature where Arnica was found to be comparable to NSAIDs in adult patients.
Homeopathic arnica is widely believed to control bruising, reduce swelling and promote recovery after local trauma; many patients therefore take it perioperatively.
2 When it's applied on a fresh bruise, the swelling, pain, and discoloration are diminished within a few hours. For best results, apply an arnica gel 3–4 times a day on the affected area, or try taking it orally in pill form such as Hyland's Arnica Montana tablets ($6).
Dosage: Adults or children over 2 years: Take 3 tablets 4-6 times a day. Allow to dissolve under tongue. Dosage: Adults or children over 2 years: Take 3 tablets 4-6 times a day.
When used topically or in a homeopathic remedy, arnica does not interact with any conventional medications.
Large amounts of undiluted Arnica can cause irritation or damage to the skin, mouth, throat, and stomach, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, damage to the heart and other organs, increased bleeding, coma, and death.
The recommended usage is to take 5 pellets of Boiron Arnica three times a day, beginning two days prior to your procedure. You can continue taking arnica until your symptoms improve up to a week after the procedure.
The Absolüt Arnica Gel has a faster and bigger impact locally, but Arnica pellets can have a deeper and more general impact. So if you have bruises in several areas, you can apply Absolut Arnica gel on the worse parts and take Arnica pellets to promote healing in general.
Arnica stimulates your body's natural healing process, facilitating blood flow through the area, which helps to alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and reabsorb bruising. As long as your skin isn't broken, you can apply Arnica topically in a cream or gel form.
Arnica is believed to help with bruises by stimulating the flow of blood to the bruised area. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce swelling and inflammation.
ADULTS and CHILDREN: 1 or 2 tablets to be dissolved on the tongue. Unless otherwise directed; for acute conditions, 1 dose 2 hourly for up to 6 doses. Thereafter and where less acute, 1 dose 3 times a day between meals for no more than one month.
How often should I use an Arnicare topical? The recommended frequency of application for all Arnicare topicals is three times a day.