The other night, I was clearing out the bazillion bath toys that somehow my daughter got away with leaving in the tub. I turned my head and, wham!, I banged my forehead with quite a bit of force into a porcelain door knob (don’t ask…). The pain was instantaneous and I was thrilled to see that the point of contact was right on the most visible part of my face. I immediately grabbed my arnica montana cream, put it on, reapplied it every couple of hours, and, voila!, I had minimal sensitivity and no visible bruise! How can that be??! I have used arnica in such instances before based on input from massage therapists or other holistically minded friends. Yet I have had no idea what this magical potion is – until now. Read on for more information about how you, too, can wave a magic wand the next time you or your children bang your knee, bonk your head, hit your funny bone, or overexert yourself in your yoga class…
Arnica Montana is a yellow flowering plant endemic to the mountains of Europe and Siberia and cultivated in North America (despite the name it is not native to the northwestern state). It has been used since as far back as the 1500s. Native Americans were known to use it as it is used today – to help heal and soothe sprains, bruises, and muscle aches.
Helenalin, a substance within arnica, acts as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and microbial aid, according to the Medicine Hunter website. Arnica is believed to help stimulate the expansion of blood vessels, thus allowing blood to move more readily to an injured area. The flower could be toxic if taken internally – the form we access from retailers has been processed and properly dosed and diluted into homeopathic tinctures, creams, pellets, gels, oils and sprays. (In other words, don’t try making it at home from flowers in your garden – leave it to the experts!)
Today arnica is relatively easily obtained (Whole Foods and Larabbee Herbs are two nearby vendors) and used for a variety of conditions. Like many homeopathic and herbal supplements, there is contradictory evidence and opinions about its efficacy. For instance, some websites boast arnica’s healing benefits for those with arthritis when applied to the skin surrounding the affected joints, while other sites tout different natural remedies as more beneficial. Arnica is also mentioned as helpful in reducing swelling following surgical treatments.
As always with herbs and homeopathic substances, do your own research and seek input from a health professional to determine if it’s the right option for you. And, seriously, don’t go making an arnica cocktail – ingesting the substance in large quantities could be poisonous. Read the labels and ask for assistance when purchasing.
While we hope you will never need it, the next time you have muscle soreness after yoga or, if you are like me, you leave your balance on the mat and trip on a broken sidewalk, perhaps reach for arnica montana.
