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Today's Daily Health Tip
Arnica: A Natural Pain Remedy?
by Jennifer Good     Our weekly venture in the natural world of health remedies finds us taking a closer look at an herb belonging to the sunflower family, arnica. The arnica plant is a perennial with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. It is native to the mountains of Europe and Siberia and is cultivated in North America. It is also known by the name "Mountain Tobacco" and "Leopard's bane."
As an herbal remedy, arnica oil has been used as a topical deep tissue oil for centuries for bruises and sprains. It has also been used for a number of conditions including muscle aches, joint pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling from broken bones. In these instances, a topical treatment such as a gel, cream, oil, or ointment is used to promote the healing and soothing of the skin. The variety of treatments it has been used for doesn't stop with bruises and sprains either. It has been used for everything from backaches, sunburns, eczema, fibromyalgia, influenza, headaches, and hemorrhoids to migraines.
As a homeopathic medicine, arnica has been used in the treatment in a variety of conditions. 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.1 In addition to arthritis, there may be some benefit in taking homeopathic arnica internally for post-surgery pain and swelling. According to a 2006 study of 227 adults undergoing arthroscopy, taking a homeopathic dilution of arnica may slightly reduce postoperative swelling.2 A 2002 study of 37 people undergoing surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome found that taking a homeopathic dilution of arnica and applying arnica ointment produced a significant decrease in post-surgery pain.3
Generally, as an herb, arnica is used as a topical treatment on the skin as it can have serious side effects when taken orally. Certain homeopathic remedies do contain arnica, however, they use an extremely diluted form that is not considered dangerous, but then again, may not be as efficacious. It is generally safe to use on the skin, however, if used for long periods, it may cause skin irritations. It should also not be used on broken skin such as leg ulcers or on people who may be hypersensitive or allergic to the herb.4
For more on natural pain relief, click here.
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Resources:
1. Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter A. "Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial." Advances in Therapy 2002 19(5):209-18.
2. Brinkhaus B, Wilkens JM, Lüdtke R, Hunger J, Witt CM, Willich SN. "Homeopathic arnica therapy in patients receiving knee surgery: results of three randomised double-blind trials." Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2006 14(4):237-46.
3. Jeffrey SL, Belcher HJ. "Use of Arnica to relieve pain after carpal-tunnel release surgery." Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2002 8(2):66-8.
4. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/arnica-000222.htm |
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