Arnica is a flowering plant found widely in Europe and Britain. It is no longer readily available in the UK for internal use, as a herbal medicine, but it is often used in various topical applications. For internal use the homoeopathic remedy Arnica is preferred and has many important uses. The dried flowers and leaves have medicinal action, although the flowers are most often used to make herbal and homoeopathic preparations.
Action of Arnica
This plant contains a variety of compounds which demonstrate soothing, anti-inflammatory, astringent and healing properties.
Arnica Uses
Historically as an external preparation Arnica has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
| Aching, stiff muscles – After exercise
| Backache, lumbago, sciatica
| Bruising
| Neuralgia
| Rheumatic joints
| Sprains
| Varicose ulcers
Other Arnica Information
Arnica is normally available as a lotion or cream for external use only. Homoepoathic arnica for internal use can be used alongside topical preparations to treat anginal pain and acute heart conditions.
Medical herbalists and pharmacists may be able to supply a special tincture of arnica for internal use. This is sometimes used to treat anginal pain and acute heart conditions.
Cautions When Using Arnica
| Arnica should not be used on broken skin, when applied topically.
| At the time of writing this article there are no well known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications from using topical herbal arnica.
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