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Remedy Series: Arnica Montana

Arnica is a great remedy for joint and muscle problems from either injuries or excessive exercise - highly recommended for backache or stiffness caused by a hard day's gardening or Yoga practice!

Arnica is an excellent first aid remedy, for phyical and emotional shock and injuries. It promotes healing of damaged tissues and helps control bleeding.

Proper Name: Arnica Montana (Asteraceae/Compositae)

Common Names: Leopard's bane, Wolf's bane, Mountain tobacco and Sneezewort Source: Arnica grows in the mountains of Europe and Siberia

Parts used: Whole plant when in flower

Arnica is a great remedy for joint and muscle problems from either injuries or excessive exercise - highly recommended for backache or stiffness caused by a hard day's gardening or Yoga practice!

Arnica was introduced into European folk-medicine by shepherds who pastured their sheep in the mountains. They noticed that when sheep fell and bruised themselves, they nibbled on the leaves of this plant, hence it is called "Fallkraut" in German. Arnica grows in just the places - rocky slopes and mountains - where people (and animals) are most likely to fall and bruise themselves.

A legend goes that mountain climbers used to chew the fresh plant to relieve sore, aching muscles and brusies from falls. Perhaps they did, but Arnica should not be taken internally except in suitable homeopathic dilutions!

As an ointment, it is typically rubbed on the skin to soothe and heal bruises, sprains, and relieve irritations from trauma, arthritis and muscle or cartilage pain. Applied as a salve, Arnica is also good for chapped lips, irritated nostrils and acne.

WHEN TO USE IT

For Athletes: Arnica is helpful for bruising, tissue-damage, shock, and soreness. If taken shortly after an injury occurs, both pain and swelling may be reduced, and healing can take place more quickly and efficiently. Conditions needing Arnica are usually worse from touch and heat. For sprains or deeper injuries that require days or weeks to heal, another remedy may follow Arnica. Some athletes take Arnica "preventively" before a workout, to reduce the tendency toward soreness. Gels and ointments containing the herbal form or very low dilutions may be soothing to sore muscles.

Broken Bones: Alongside the correct conventional treatment, this remedy is useful for reducing the pain and swelling that accompany any new injury, and should be taken as soon as possible after a break occurs. It may also be helpful in calming the person, since breaking a bone is traumatic as well as painful. Doses may be taken frequently, according to how the person feels. Arnica may be used for several days while pain and soreness are prominent. Another remedy may be indicated later, to encourage proper healing of the bones and surrounding tissues.

Bruising: This is the primary remedy for new, traumatic injuries - including bruises caused by impact with blunt objects (from simple contusions to concussions), early stages of sprains and strains, and bruise-like soreness after muscular exertion (such as physically-taxing work, athletics, or childbirth). The symptoms typically feel worse from touch and motion. Arnica is also helpful for controlling soreness, bleeding, and tissue-bruising related to surgery and dental work.

Dental Support: This is a useful first-aid remedy for any situation involving bruising and tissue damage. Some dentists recommend that patients take it both before and after stressful dental work, including dental surgery. Arnica may be used as long as soreness lasts, or followed by another remedy aimed at more specific symptoms.

Eye Strain: This remedy can bring relief to a person with a bruised, sore feeling in the eyes after closely-focused work or from looking into the distance (sightseeing, watching movies, etc). The person may feel a need to keep the eyes open, getting dizzy when closing them.

Pregnancy and Delivery Support: This remedy is often indicated for relief of soreness that comes from physical exertion and muscle strain, so it is also useful for soreness after labor and delivery, and for haemorrhoids that follow childbirth.

Surgery and Recovery Support: Because this remedy is useful for all new injuries, it can help reduce soreness, bruising, tissue damage, and bleeding related to surgical procedures. Arnica can be taken the night before an operation, and is also helpful for bruising, swelling, and soreness during recovery.

Varicose Veins: When this remedy is indicated, the legs look bruised, or black and blue, and the swollen veins are very sore to touch. The legs feel deeply sore all over and are also worse from motion. Lying down may bring relief.

Remember Arnica after heart surgery!

A friend of mine recently had to undergo a triple bypass operation. I gave him a bottle of Arnica 30c and told him to take one a day for three days before the operation, and three pills a day during his first three post-op days, going down to one a day for the rest of that week. He had no bruising whatsoever on his chest - he couldn't believe it! I have heard that an increasing number of surgeons recommend the administration of Arnica after any kind of surgery, including heart surgery. Apparently they report noticeable reductions in swelling and inflammation as well as faster healing times. These results should enable patients to use less pain medication and to enjoy speedier recoveries. I recommend that Arnica cream and tablets should be in any standard First Aid Kit. If you've got toddlers in the house, you'll use it every time they take a tumble.

Posted on June 20, 2005 08:29 PM

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