Arnica gel is created from the Arnica montana plant, also called wolf's bane. This topical treatment should not be taken internally or used on broken skin where it could be absorbed into the bloodstream. The American Cancer Society notes that scientific evidence doesn't support most of the purported benefits of arnica gel. Nevertheless, the plant has a long traditional use as an herbal remedy, and medical doctors such as Andrew Weil, program director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, encourage its use.
Possible Relief of Skin Disorders
People apply arnica gel to relieve symptoms of a wide variety of skin disorders, according to the ACS. It may be helpful for healing wounds, skin infections and inflammation, eczema, sunburn, acne, insect bites, chapped lips and irritated nostrils. Certain chemical components of arnica, including sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoid glycosides, may be responsible for the beneficial effects.
Possible Relief of Arthritis
A study published in the September/October 2002 issue of Advances in Therapy observed 79 participants with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee who applied Arnica montana fresh plant gel twice daily. Significant decreases in pain and stiffness, as well as an increase in function, were recorded after the checkpoints of three and six weeks. A total of 76 percent of participants said they would use the gel again. Another study, this one appearing in the April 2007 issue of Rheumatology International, found no difference between the effects of a 5-percent strength ibuprofen gel and an arnica gel. Study participants had osteoarthritis of the hand joints and used the gel for 21 days.
Possible Relief for Bruises, Aches, Muscle Pain
Arnica gel also may be beneficial for other types of topical pain treatment. Dr. Weil recommends it, for instance, for bruises, sprains and sore muscles. For fast relief of pain and inflammation associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, Weil advises rubbing arnica gel on the affected area and wrapping ice packs around the wrist for five minutes every few hours.
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