Arnica: what it is used for and how to use

Arnica is a medicinal plant of the species Arnica montana L., rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds that give it its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticoagulant properties. Therefore, this plant is used in medicine to help in the treatment of various health problems, such as bruises, rheumatic pains, abrasions and muscle aches, for example.

Despite having several health benefits, the use of arnica can also cause several side effects, mainly when the silver is ingested, such as nausea, vomiting, heart problems, miscarriage or shortness of breath. Arnica is contraindicated in pregnant women and people with liver problems. Therefore, this plant should never be ingested, except when sold in the form of homeopathic pills in which the concentration of arnica is very diluted and does not produce side effects.

Arnica can be purchased in health food stores, homeopathic pharmacies or drugstores, and can be found in the form of dried flowers, tincture, oil, homeopathic pills, ointment or gel. However, its use should always be guided by a physician or other health professional who has experience in the use of medicinal plants.

Arnica: what it is used for and how to use

What it is used for

Arnica has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, antiseptic, anticoagulant, antihistamine and healing medicinal properties. The main indications of arnica are:

1. Wound healing

Some studies show that arnica has lactones with healing and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the production of inflammatory substances such as prostaglandins and cytokines, and can be used as an aid in the treatment of skin wounds, abrasions, scratches, bruises or cuts, for example.

In addition, arnica has antihistamine action, which helps to reduce swelling of wounds because it inhibits the extravasation of fluids from the blood vessels in the wound.

2. Contusions

Arnica preparations as gel or ointment, can be used in cases of contusions, trauma or blows that form a hematoma or ecchymosis on the skin, since having lactones, helenalin and hexuronic acid in its composition, has anticoagulant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, which helps reduce bruising on the skin and pain at the site of injury.

3. Joint pain

Because arnica has helenalin in its composition, with potent anti-inflammatory action, arnica helps block the production of proteins responsible for chronic joint inflammation in people with osteoarthritis.

Some studies show that topical use of arnica in osteoarthritis decreases morning stiffness, helps relieve joint pain and improves hand movement

4. Muscle pain or strain

Arnica helps to decrease pain and treat muscle strain caused by physical activities or torticollis, for example, due to lactones in its composition with anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.

In addition, some studies show that when arnica is ingested as homeopathic pills by marathon athletes, it helps to reduce muscle pain caused by this type of sport, improving recovery time after exercise.

5. Postoperative pain

Because of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and healing effect, arnica helps to reduce inflammation in tissues after surgery, which helps in the treatment of postoperative pain and swelling.

In addition, after surgery it is normal for bruising to occur near the scar due to the breaking of blood vessels from the cutting of the surgery, so arnica can help reduce this due to its anticoagulant effect. However, it should only be used postoperatively with medical indication and when the scar has closed.

6. Varicose veins and hemorrhoids

Lactones and hexuronic acid, present in arnica have anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, can help in the treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, which are dilated veins that appear under the skin or in the anal region, as they reduce pain and discomfort.

7. Toothache and gingivitis

Because of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, healing and antimicrobial effect, arnica can be very useful to help decrease toothache or gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums.

However, arnica should not be ingested due to its toxic effects, but it can be used in tea form for gargling.

8. Furuncle

DDue to the fact that it contains lactones, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, it has antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action, which helps to reduce inflammation and pain, being an aid in the treatment of boils.

9. Baldness

Some studies show that the use of arnica along with other medicinal plants such as jaborandi, chamomile or jojoba, in presentations of natural shampoos for hair, increases the strength and growth of hair, being an important ally in the fight against baldness.

How to use arnica

The part of arnica that is used are the flowers, which can be used in the form of tea, tincture, ointment or oil for external application. It is important not to ingest it, as it can cause intoxication, in addition it should also not be applied on open wounds, bruises, recent surgical scars or on a bleeding, because it can be absorbed by the skin and cause toxic side effects.

1. Arnica tea compress

This infusion is indicated for use in the case of bruises, scratches, contusions and bruises on the skin, in addition, it can be used for gargling in the case of inflammation in the throat, but never ingested.

Ingredients

  • 250 ml of boiling water;
  • 1 teaspoon of arnica flowers.

    • Mode of preparation

    Place the arnica flowers in the boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain, soak the compress and apply warm to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day. It should not be applied on open wounds, bleeding or in the eyes, as it could cause side effects.

    2. Arnica ointment

    Arnica ointment is ideal to be applied on sore skin, due to contusions, bruises or hematomas, because it relieves muscle pain very efficiently.

    Ingredients

  • 5 g of beeswax ;
  • 45 mL of olive oil;
  • 4 tablespoons of chopped arnica leaves and flowers.

    • Mode of preparation

    Place the ingredients in a pot in a bain-marie and let them simmer for a few minutes. Then turn off the heat and leave the ingredients inside the pot for a few hours to macerate. Before cooling, you should strain and store the liquid portion in containers with lids, which should be kept in a dry, dark and airy place. This ointment has a shelf life of 1 year and can be applied on the skin 2 to 3 times a day.

    3. Arnica tincture for external use

    Arnica tincture, prepared with alcohol, is a good remedy to treat bruises caused by blows, contusions and muscle injuries, as well as joint pain due to osteoarthritis. This preparation should be used only on the skin and never ingested.

    Ingredients

  • 10 grams of dried arnica leaves;
  • 350 ml of cereal alcohol;
  • 150 ml of filtered water

    • Method of preparation

    Crush the dried arnica leaves with a mortar to release the active substances. Then place the crushed dried leaves in a clean, dry glass container with a lid and add alcohol and filtered water. Close the container, cover the outside with aluminum foil and let stand for 1 week. It is important to shake the jar every day. After that week, remove the arnica leaves from the solution and transfer the tincture to another clean, dry glass jar covered with aluminum foil. This tincture has a shelf life of one year.

    Before using the tincture, the bottle should be shaken. Apply it to the desired places 2 to 3 times a day with the help of a cotton swab, massaging the area.

    Arnica tincture should not be used on open wounds or bleeding, as the alcohol in the tincture may cause burning.

    4. Arnica oil

    Arnica oil can be used to treat bruises, bumps, sprains, muscle pain, joint pain and swollen legs, due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticoagulant properties.

    Ingredients

  • 10 grams of dried arnica flowers;
  • 100 ml of olive oil, almond oil or jojoba oil.

    • Mode of preparation

    Place the dried arnica flowers and oil in a clean, dry glass jar with a lid. Mix with a spoon, cover the jar and cover with aluminum foil. Shake the bottle well to help release the active substances of the arnica. Store the jar in a ventilated place, away from light for 30 to 40 days. After this time, strain the oil to remove the arnica flowers and store the oil in a clean, dry, lidded bottle covered with aluminum foil. It can be used 2 to 3 times a day on the affected area.

    This oil should be used only on the skin, never ingested.

    Possible side effects

    Arnica is safe in most adults when used topically, for a short period of time. However, it may cause skin allergy, swelling or dermatitis.

    Arnica should not be ingested, as it is considered a toxic plant, and may cause mouth and throat irritation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, dizziness, shortness of breath and cardiac complications, such as arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, muscle weakness, bleeding, coma and death.

    Seek immediate medical help or go to the nearest emergency room in case of symptoms of poisoning or allergic reaction to arnica, such as difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting or convulsions.

    Contraindications

    Arnica should not be used by people allergic to this plant or with liver diseases, by children under 12 years old, pregnant women, since it can be abortive or during breastfeeding, since it passes to the baby through breast milk.

    This medicinal plant should also not be applied on skin with open or bleeding wounds or in the eyes, and should never be ingested due to its toxic effects.

    In addition, because it contains alcohol, the use of arnica tincture is not recommended in people under treatment for alcoholism with disulfiram.

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