Arnica - For Muscle Strains And Sprains, Arthritic Joints Article

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Arnica - For Muscle strains and sprains, Arthritic joints

Arnica is an aromatic perennial growing up to two feet in height. It has downy egg-shaped leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. The leaves form a flat rosette, from the center of which rises a flower stalk. The rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry rootlet

Author: Homeherb

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What Is Arnica?
Native to Europe and southern Russia, Arnica montana is a perennial plant with bright yellow, daisylike flowers. Some of its common names include leopards bane, wolfs bane, and mountain tobacco. Arnica montana has a long history of use in herbal healing, as do other Arnica species grown in the western part of North America. The dried flower heads and occasionally the underground stems and roots are the source of medicinal Arnica.
Although Arnica has been used for many years both internally and externally, research has raised serious concerns about its safety as an internal remedy, and experts worldwide now strongly discourage its oral use. But applied topically, Arnica still enjoys wide popularity, particularly in Europe. It is also the most widely studied formulation in homeopathy, a system of medicine that uses tremendously diluted amounts of the active substance.

Health Benefits of Arnica:
Arnica in such topical formulations as creams, gels, and ointments is extremely popular in Europe (well-known products include Arnica Kneipp Gel and Vasotonin Gel, for example). A 1981 German study identified the plants active ingredients as sesquiterpene lactones. These substances act as counterirritants, which means that they produce a stimulating sensation that boosts circulation in the area where the Arnica is applied.
Although Arnica is poisonous when taken internally, it is used in highly diluted homeopathic formulations. In these tiny tablets or pellets, which are dissolved under the tongue, the Arnica has been diluted literally hundreds of times, so at homeopathic levels poisoning is virtually impossible. Recent studies have cast doubt on the remedys effectiveness, however. A 1998 Archives of Surgery review of Placebo-controlled clinical trials of homeopathic Arnica concluded that on balance, there is no solid evidence that Arnica offers any real benefit. The authors further noted that the more scientifically rigorous, or best-designed, studies tended to show the negative findings.

Specifically, topical Arnica is most commonly used for:

Muscle strains and sprains.
Arnica is widely applied to ease the Inflammation and pain of muscle strains and sprains caused by overuse or injury. Although results have been contradictory, some studies concluded that for a short period immediately following a marathon run, Arnica reduced muscle soreness. The effect was only temporary, however.

Arthritic joints.
Inflamed and painful joints are said to benefit from Arnica as well. Using the herb in a hot, moist compress may be helpful for arthritis pain, though it is not known whether it is simply the heat or the Arnica that provides the relief.

Psoriasis and eczema.
Numerous herbal formulas for these persistent skin disorders contain extracts of Arnica, which may help given its anti-inflammatory and numbing qualities.
Insect bites.
Because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, topical Arnica is believed to reduce the swelling and pain caused by insect bites. It may also help prevent infection.

Forms Arnica:

1. Tincture
2. Spray
3. Ointment
4. Oil
5. Liquid
6. Gel
7. Cream

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Homeherb offers Nutritional Supplements, Weight Loss, Vitamins, Health Care, Anti aging, Vision Care, Herbal Teas, Natrol, Twin Lab, Now Foods, St. John's Wort, American Ginseng, Black Cohosh, Sports at http://www.homeherb.com/herb.asp?catid=338

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Arnica - For Muscle strains and sprains, Arthritic joints