Arnica. A homeopathic remedy no home should be without

Arnica montana is a perennial herb which belongs to the family compostitae. It can be found in many parts of the world, and favours mountain slopes, growing just below the snow level. Its flowers look a little bit like a yellow daisy, and they can grow to height of up to 30 centimetres (12 ins). The healing properties of this plant have been known for hundreds of years, earning it various nicknames such as ‘fall herb’, ‘bruise wort and ‘leapoard’s bane’. 

In Northern Europe, people living and working in mountainous areas recognized Arnica’s ability to soothe aching muscles, and used it in several different ways, such as chewing on the leaves, or making a compress to use externally, in order to relieve sprains and bruising. The homeopathic remedy is made from the whole plant when flowering, and includes the roots.

Arnica acts principally on soft tissue and surrounding blood vessels, helping to reduce bleeding and promote healing. It is the first remedy to think of using when someone has been involved in a fall or accident. It can help to minimize bruising, swelling and pain. 

Arnica can also be used after dental treatment, especially following a tooth extraction, when it will help to prevent excess bleeding, cut down on the risk of infection and speed up healing. 

It is also a very valuable remedy to use after childbirth, especially if tearing or bleeding has occurred during labour.

In farming, Arnica is routinely used by many farmers following a difficult calving / lambing in order to help with the pain, and also to reduce the risk of infection setting in, which might otherwise have to be treated with antibiotics.

Arnica is also a very good remedy to consider using following concussion, either recent or from the past, especially if the patient has ‘never been well’ since receiving a blow to the head. 

You can safely give Arnica for all accidents and injuries which involve falls, breaks, bruising, bleeding, shock and bruise-like pain. The 30C potency can be taken every half an hour for up to four doses, then reduce as symptoms improve. 

Arnica cream can be very soothing for aching muscles when applied topically, but should never be used on broken skin. 

Arnica is a wonderfully versatile remedy which no household should be without. It can safely be used by everyone.

All Homeopathic remedies are sold in homeopathic pharmacies, most health food shops and in some chemists. They are readily available in the 6C or 30C potency.

This article was first published by the ARH in the December 2010 issue of the free newsletter, Homeopathy Healthy Medicine.

The ARH regularly publish these newsletters to provide information about homeopathy to the public. This information is not usually available through our mainstream media which refuses to publish anything about Homeopathy. ARH makes the newsletters available to everyone as free downloads (go to www.a-r-h.org), and they can be used for information, marketing and publicity purposes.