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Arnica

Also listed as: Arnica montana

• Overview
• Plant Description
• Parts Used
• Medicinal Uses and Indications
• Available Forms
• How to Take It
• Precautions
• Possible Interactions
• Supporting Research

Overview

Arnica ( Arnica montana) has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and remains popular today. Applied topically as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture, arnica has been used by both Europeans and Native Americans to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. It is often the first remedy used for injuries such as sprains and bruises. Arnica in herbal form is primarily restricted to topical (external) use because it can cause serious side effects when taken internally. Arnica is often used in homeopathy, and should only be taken internally in the extremely diluted form common to homeopathic remedies. If you have any question about whether you have the herbal or homeopathic form of arnica, talk to your doctor before taking it.

Plant Description

Arnica is a perennial that grows to a height of 1 - 2 feet with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. Stems are round and hairy, ending in one to three flower stalks, with flowers 2 - 3 inches across. Leaves are bright green. The upper leaves are toothed and slightly hairy, while lower leaves have rounded tips. It is native to the mountains of Europe and Siberia, and is cultivated in North America.

Parts Used

Fresh or dried flower heads are used in medicinal preparations.

Medicinal Uses and Indications

• Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, superficial phlebitis, rheumatic pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling due to fractures.
• Homeopathic preparations are also used to treat sore muscles, bruises, and other conditions caused by overexertion or trauma. Homeopathic doses are extremely diluted. They have no detectable amount of the plant in them and are generally considered safe for internal use when taken according to the directions on the product labeling.

Available Forms

Arnica is available commercially in topical creams and ointments. It is most commonly prepared as a tincture, which can also be used as the base for compresses and poultices. Arnica oil may also be used in topical preparations.

A number of homeopathic remedies are available in pill, topical, or injectable forms.

How to Take It

Arnica should not be taken internally without direct medical supervision, except in dilute form as a homeopathic remedy, because side effects may be severe (see "Precautions").

Homeopathic products should be used according to directions on the label or the advice of your homeopathic practitioner. Health care providers may give homeopathic preparations by injection.

When using arnica topically, never place on an open wound without a doctor's supervision.

Pediatric

Homeopathic preparations 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.

Adult

Topical preparations of arnica may be prepared as follows:

• Tincture: a 1:10 tincture prepared with 70% ethanol

• Creams and ointments: 20 - 25% tincture or a maximum of 15% arnica oil made from one part dried arnica flower head and five parts vegetable oil

• Compresses: tincture diluted 3 - 10 times with water

• Poultices: tincture diluted 3 - 10 times with water

• Mouthwash: tincture diluted 10 times with water (should not be swallowed)

Precautions

Arnica is generally safe when used topically (externally). However, prolonged use may irritate the skin, causing eczema, peeling, blisters, or other skin conditions. Arnica should not be used on broken skin, such as leg ulcers. Also, people who are hypersensitive or allergic to the herb should avoid it.

Arnica is rarely used as an internal herbal remedy because it can cause dizziness, tremors, and heart irregularities. It may also irritate mucous membranes and cause vomiting. Large doses can even be fatal. Do not take arnica internally except under close supervision of your doctor. Homeopathic remedies, which use very small amounts of arnica, can usually be taken safely.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking any medication, including herbs.

Possible Interactions

When used topically or in a homeopathic remedy, arnica does not interact with any conventional medications.

Supporting Research

Bisset NG, ed. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press; 1994.

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

Brinkhaus B, Wilkens JM, Ludtke R, Hunger J, Witt CM, Willich SN. Homeopathic arnica therapy in patients receiving knee surgery: Results of three randomised double-blind trials. Complement Ther Med . 2006 Dec;14(4):237-46.

Conforti A, Bertani S, Metelmann H, Chirumbolo S, Lussignoli S, Bellavite P. Experimental studies of the anti-inflammatory activity of a homeopathic preparation. Biol Ther . 1997;15(1):28-31.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, et al., eds. PDR for Herbal Medicine. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 1998.

Kowalchik C, Hylton W. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. Emmaus, Pa: Rodale Press; 1997.

Lussignoli S, Bertani S, Metelmann H, Bellavite P, Conforti A. Effect of Traumeel S, a homeopathic formulation, on blood-induced inflammation in rats. Complement Ther Med . 1999;7(4):225-230.

Lyss G, Schmidt TJ, Merfort I, Pahl HL. Helenalin, an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone from Arnica , selectively inhibits transcription factor NF-kappaB. Biol Chem . 1997;378(9): 951-961.

Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy . Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone; 1999.

Robbers J, Tyler V. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999.

Schulz V, Hänsel R, Tyler V. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1998.

Seeley BM, Denton AB, Ahn MS, Maas CS. Effect of homeopathic Arnica montana on bruising in face-lifts: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2006 Jan-Feb;8(1):54-9.

Tveiten D, Bruset S, Borchgrevink CF, Norseth J. Effects of the homeopathic remedy Arnica D30 on marathon runners: a randomized, double blind study during the 1995 Oslo marathon. Complement Ther Med . 1998;6(2):71-74.

Vickers AJ, Fisher P, Smith C, Wyllie SE, Rees R. Homeopathic Arnica 30X is ineffective for muscle soreness after long-distance running: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin J Pain . 1998;14(3):227-231.

Weiss R, Fintelmann V. Herbal Medicine . Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme; 2000.

Wijnsma R, Woerdenbag HJ, Busse W. The importance of Arnica -species in phytomedicine. Z Phytother . 1995;16(1):48-62.

• Review Date: 1/9/2007
• Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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