by Marilyn Freedman, Homeopath
© October 15th, 2011
When the fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg was injured in a ski accident in January, she tweeted during recovery: “Arnica gel is the best thing you can do for bruises. … I cannot say it enough …,”
The homeopathic remedy, Arnica montana, commonly known as Leopard’s Bane, is a homeopathic celebrity. It has been used medicinally since the 1500s and is still popular today.
Arnica is a perennial flower of the Asteraceae family, the sunflowers, that grows to a height of 1 – 2 feet. The part that is used for homeopathic remedies is the flower head. The flower contains helenalin which has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour effects.
Arnica is used to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation such as swelling from sprains, fractures, or broken bones, and heal wounds. I say to use it whenever the kids fall down and you know that they will bruise, or if you have some kind of injury, or Heaven forbid, get into an accident. As a matter of fact I treat patients with longstanding pain from an injury that took place years ago with this wonderful remedy! That’s the difference between using anti-inflammatories such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as opposed to Arnica, is that conventional medicine relieves pain for a period of time, whereas Arnica, a natural remedy, actually cures.
It is no wonder that Arnica is being used by celebrities, plastic surgeons, dancers, athletes and their trainers. They can’t afford to be out of commission for any length of time. It is THE homeopathic remedy people try, and that hooks them into beginning their journey with natural treatment. Arnica is available at all health food stores, and in the natural products aisles of major supermarkets. Stock it in your medicine chest, and keep a tube in your purse. It works immediately.
References
University of Maryland Medical Center http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/arnica-000222.htm
The New York Times – Skin Deep Seeking Relief Through Arnica http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/fashion/arnica-becomes-a-celebrity-favorite-skin-deep.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=arnica&st=cse#
Wikipedia