The Arnica montana plant has been used to relieve pain and promote healing since the 1500s, according to the University of Montana Medical Center. Arnica montana, sometimes called leopard's bane or more frequently simply arnica, is available in a variety of forms. Arnica cream is a homeopathic product generally safe to use topically because it contains a diluted form of arnica, although you should avoid broken or irritated skin. Take arnica internally only in its homeopathic form; the herb can be toxic if taken internally in large amounts. Consult your physician or a trained homeopath before using arnica products.
Relieve Pain
Arnica cream is often used to relieve muscle aches and pains, as well as the joint pains associated with overexertion and osteoarthritis. In 2002, British researchers studied the effect of arnica applied topically in patients recovering from surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. At two weeks post-surgery, patients who had been treated with arnica reported significantly less pain than patients who had been treated with a placebo. The study results were published in "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine."
Relieve Swelling
Arnica cream is used on injuries to relieve swelling. It can also relieve swelling resulting from fractures or insect bites, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In May 2009, researchers published an article in the journal "Ultrasonics," reporting that mice treated with topical arnica showed a reduction in inflammation, especially when compared to the control group that received no treatment. Although this was an animal study, there are anecdotal reports of arnica relieving swelling in humans and in vitro human studies with similar results.
Relieve Bruising
Arnica cream helps bruises heal more quickly. In April 2010, researchers published the results of a study that compared the effects of topical creams containing vitamin K, vitamin K and retinol, white petrolatum or arnica on bruises that were created using lasers. Patients who used the arnica cream experienced significant improvement. Their improvement was on par with patients who used a 5 percent vitamin K cream and greater than that of patients using lower concentrations of vitamin K or the other creams tested, according to the published results in "The British Journal of Dermatology." Arnica cream typically compares quite favorably to vitamin K cream in price.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Arnica
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine;" Use of Arnica to Relieve Pain After Carpal-tunnel Release Surgery; S. L. Jeffrey and H. J. Belcher; March-April, 2002
- "Ultrasonics;" Effects of Phonophoresis with Arnica Montana onto Acute Inflammatory Process in Rat Skeletal Muscles: An Experimental Study; P. P. Alfredo et al.; May 2009
- "The British Journal of Dermatology;" Accelerated Resolution of Laser-induced Bruising with Topical 20% Arnica: A Rater-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial; S. Leu et al.; April 2010
