Common therapeutic uses | Is Arnica safe? | Precautions | Research on Arnica
Arnica is one of the well known herbs used for muscle aches and pains since empirical times. This herbal remedy is also used on the skin for wounds, infections, and inflammation. It is also used to prepare a homeopathic medicine.
It is mostly used externally unless it is in the diluted Homeopathic medicinal form.
Although it is widely used herbal medicine; some available scientific evidence does not support claims about arnica's effectiveness.
If the herb is taken by mouth, it may cause a number of serious reactions, including allergies and even death.
Let’s see what this herb is and what are its common uses…
Arnica (or Arnica montana) is a perennial herb commonly known as Leopard's bane. Arnica's lowers and roots are also used in herbal medicine, typically in remedies applied directly to the skin.
Arnica is a fragrant, bitter, and astringent herb that stimulates the immune system and heart, relieves pain and inflammation and clears fungal and bacterial infections.
Active ingredients: It contains the anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone helanalin, as well as flavones, flavonols, triterpenoids, phenolic acid, polysaccharides and an essential oil containing thymol, thymolmethylether and azulene.
History behind Arnica use: Herbal medicines made from arnica flowers and roots have been popular for hundreds of years. It has been said that the German poet and philosopher, Goethe (1749-1832), drank arnica tea to relieve chest pains.
In some cases, the leaves may have been smoked, like tobacco.
More recently, homeopathic and topical uses have been emphasized, mainly due to the possible harm in taking the crude herb by mouth.
Present Uses: One of the most common uses of arnica is the treatment of wounds, bruises, sunburn, and other forms of skin irritation or inflammation. Arnica is also used for relieving muscle soreness and sprain-related pain.
In these cases, an arnica-based gel, cream, ointment, or salve is topically applied to promote healing and soothing of the skin.
- Arnica contains sesquiterpene lactones, substances that are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Arnica prevents bruising by keeping stimulating the white blood cells to disperse trapped blood and fluid from the site of injury.
- Arnica’s effectiveness as a treatment for bruising, sports injuries, and inflammation is well established and many commercial creams used for treatment of pain, bruising, and swelling contain arnica as an active ingredient. Arnica creams are also used to treat pain and inflammation resulting from carpel tunnel syndrome and arthritis.
- Arnica can also be used externally to treat tired, overstressed muscles. One study performed in Norway showed that marathon runners who applied arnica to their skin before the event experienced less pain and stiffness afterward. Arnica is a relaxing addition to the bath, and has been shown to be particularly helpful for soaking tired, aching feet.
- Arnica’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect may be of some benefit to those with inflammatory skin disorders. This herb is traditionally used as a topical treatment for burns, eczema, and acne. However, arnica should not be applied to an open wound, as it could cause painful irritation.
- The herb is not usually recommended for internal use because it can irritate the stomach and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nosebleeds.
- Homeopathic drug Arnica is much diluted solution and can be taken by mouth to treat low-grade fevers, colds, bronchitis, and seasickness, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and epilepsy.
While arnica can be toxic when ingested, homeopathic arnica contains too small amount of the herb so it is considered to be safe by FDA and approved as OTC drug.
Germany's Commission E has approved arnica only for use on the skin in treating injury and effects of accidents, inflammation of the mouth and throat area, and insect bites. It is considered unsafe for internal use.
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- It is used as a topical pain reliever to treat bruises, sprains, muscle and joint pain that is generally aggravated by movement and alleviated by rest.
- Arnica helps to regenerate the tissue and is suitable for the treatment of all injuries resulting from impact, falls, stabs and cuts.
- Arnica creams is popular for its ability to treat acne.
- A compress containing arnica can relieve abdominal pains.
- Tea made from arnica root resin is use for treating back pains.
- Arnica is used to stimulate the nervous system; it is also used for mental and physical shock.
- Arnica ointment is used for chapped lips.
- Arnica in diluted forms may also be used for preventing and controlling internal bleeding.
- Arnica tincture is also used in treating throat infections.
- Arnica hair oil is used as a hair growing tonic.
- A hair shampoo prepared with arnica extract has been used to treat alopecia.
- Arnica ointment is important for the prevention and treatment of phlebitis.
- Arnica is used as Homeopathic medicine for treating many conditions ranging from several aches and pains to high fever and uterine bleeding.
- Arnica tinctures or dried arnica flowers can be used for relaxing bath for relief of tight, tired muscles and sore feet at the end of the day.
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Arnica is seldom used internally, because it is irritating to the stomach, and can be poisonous if consumed in large amounts. Signs of arnica toxicity include vomiting, weakness, increased heart rate and nervous disturbances.
Arnica is known to stimulate blood circulation and can raise blood pressure, especially in the coronary arteries. People with high blood pressure or heart disease should consult a physician before using arnica.
In some cases, topical use of arnica can cause skin irritation, itching, blisters, and other allergy-related problems. Be careful not to use arnica on broken skin.
It contains a compound that acts in the same way as oxytocin, which is used to induce labor and for this reason it is contraindicated for use in pregnant mothers.
The use of arnica is subject to legal restriction in some countries, and the pure essential oil extracted from this herb is classified as toxic; although the macerated oil is not classed as such.
Homeopathic doses are very dilute and considered safe when used as per instruction to use.
Use of arnica is best avoided in people with allergy or hypersensitivity to the daisy (Asteracea) family.
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- Before using arnica, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to plants in the Asteraceae/daisy family such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies; or if you have any other allergies.
- Arnica is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
- Consult your doctor before using this product.
- It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of possible risk to the nursing infant, this product is usually not recommended during breast feeding. Consult your doctor before using arnica.
- Before using this herb, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, like other skin medications, aspirin, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, heparins) and antiplatelet drugs (e.g., clopidogrel, ticlopidine).
- Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (such as aspirin).
- Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Overdose:
In case of overdose contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
This medication may be harmful if swallowed. Symptoms after swallowing may include: irritation inside the mouth, drowsiness, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath.
Storage safety:
- Refer to storage information printed on the package.
- If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist.
- Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.
- Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
How to Use It?
- Apply this product to the affected area of skin as directed. Do not apply to scraped skin or open wounds.
- Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- This herbal product should not be used for long periods of time.
- If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
- Homeopathic products should be used according to directions on the label or as per the advice of homeopathic practitioner.
Pediatric use
Use only in homeopathic formulations which may be used to treat bruising, swelling, and trauma to soft tissues. Follow the dosage instructions on the product label or consult a licensed homeopath.
Available Forms:
- Arnica is available in topical creams and ointments.
- It is most widely used in Homeopathic drug preparations for tropical as well as internal use (in much diluted form)
- It is most commonly found as a tincture, which can also be used as the base for compresses and poultices.
- Arnica oil may also be used in topical preparations.
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Many research studies are done to confirm the effectiveness of arnica in treating conditions in which it has been used since generations…
Some studies have found arnica to be no more effective than a placebo in relieving pain, swelling, and bruising. Still, other research suggests that arnica may be useful in treating some health problems.
Research for Arnica’s health benefits
Arthritis: In a 2002 study of 79 adults with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee, researchers observed a significant decrease in pain and stiffness (as well as an improvement in function) among those who used arnica gel twice daily for six weeks.
Another study, published in 2007 and involving 204 people with osteoarthritis of the hand showed that arnica gel lessened pain and improved hand function as effectively as ibuprofen.
Post-Surgery Swelling: Taking a homeopathic dilution of arnica may slightly reduce postoperative swelling, according to a 2006 study of 227 adults undergoing arthroscopy.
Post-Surgery Pain: In a 2007 study of 190 adults having their tonsils removed, scientists discovered that those taking a homeopathic dilution of arnica had a small but significant decrease in pain compared to patients assigned to a placebo.
A 2002 study of 37 people undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome found that taking a homeopathic dilution of arnica and applying arnica ointment also produced a significant decrease in post-surgery pain.
Muscle Soreness: Taking a homeopathic dilution of arnica may help ease muscle soreness, according to a 2003 study of 82 marathon runners. However, an earlier study of 519 runners found that homeopathic arnica was ineffective for muscle soreness following long-distance running.
Research _against Arnica’s effectiveness
A 1998 review in the Archives of Surgery looked at 8 controlled human trials of arnica, and found that arnica worked no better in treating injuries than the placebo with which it was compared. The authors found that the studies they reviewed had serious flaws in the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of arnica. They concluded that the human trials did not show that arnica was helpful or beneficial.
One randomized clinical trial actually found that arnica appeared to increase pain and cause more swelling than the placebo in patients who had their wisdom teeth removed.
A 2003 study of 62 patients tested homeopathic arnica to find out whether it reduced pain and bruising in patients having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. There were no differences in pain or bruising between the arnica and placebo groups.
A double-blind, randomized British study of 37 patients looked at homeopathic arnica in tablet and ointment form to learn whether it helped people having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. A week after surgery, there were no differences in grip strength, wrist swelling, or pain between the group that was given arnica and the placebo group.
Two weeks after surgery, the group that had arnica reported somewhat less pain than the other group, although there were still no differences in grip strength or swelling. Further studies are needed to find out whether this one difference is due to chance or to the effects of the arnica.
In 2002, a small Miami study looked at arnica gel to see whether it would reduce bruising after laser surgery to the face. No difference in reducing bruising was noted between the patients who used plain gel and those who used the arnica gel.
In 2006, German researchers analyzed 3 studies on the use of arnica after knee surgery. Homeopathic arnica was given before and after surgery in all 3 studies. There were no significant differences in swelling after surgery between the arnica groups and the placebo groups in 2 out of 3 of the studies.
A 2007 controlled study looked at homeopathic arnica in patients who had their tonsils removed. One group received arnica and the other a placebo. Patients were surveyed afterward, with 111 out of 190 patients returning their questionnaires. The arnica group reported slightly lower pain levels than the placebo group, although there was no difference in how much pain medicine they needed, the period of time before they went back to work, and the number of visits they made to the doctor afterward. There was also no difference between the groups in bleeding and infection after surgery.
A similar outcome was observed in a study published in 2010, in which patients got a mixture of arnica along with another homeopathic remedy after heart valve surgery. There was no difference between the placebo and homeopathic arnica groups in terms of blood loss, pain, fever, or lab results.
In short;
Several laboratory studies suggest that arnica may reduce the activity of certain types of immune system cells. However, much more research in animals and humans would be needed to find out whether this effect is helpful or harmful to people with or without various diseases.
To summarize; everything having effects will have side effects. Although most of the herbs are OTC and considered to be safe for use when used according to directions given; it’s always better to take advice with qualified health practitioner before using them.
Herbs and other over the counter products do not go under extensive clinical research before they come in the market. Although they are monitored for safety by FDA once marketed; it may be too late to know their side effects.
So while using any Herbal Product including Arnica; play it safe!
Be Healthy…
Note: Consult qualified herbalist and your health care provider before taking any herbal preparations.
The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.
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