Known for a long time, arnica helps treat injuries and even trauma

You may have heard of arnica – well known as “a good home remedy” for bruises and muscle aches. But did you know that its benefits go far beyond?

Roberto Debski, specialist in Homeopathy and Acupuncture by the Brazilian Medical Association, psychologist and coach and master trainer in Neurolinguistic Programming, explains that arnica is a phytotherapic – a plant with medicinal properties -, used by natural medicine, phytotherapy, anthroposophy and homeopathy, to indoor and outdoor use.

“There are about 30 species of arnica, and the most used and known are arnica montana, arnica chamissonis and Brazilian arnica, all from the same plant family, asteraceae”, says the Homeopathy specialist.

The properties of arnica, according to Debski, are due to the presence in the plant of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, known for their action and their anti-inflammatory and anti-free radical effects, favoring the healing processes, phlebotonic action or improvement of circulation. venous return, and in the reduction of tissue damage.

6 health benefits of Arnica

With such important properties, it is not difficult to imagine why arnica has been known for years and continues to be used frequently.

Eliete MM Fagundes, coordinator of the traditional training course in the Science of Homeopathy at the Instituto Tecnológico Hahnemann and a doctoral student in Psychology at the Universidad John F. Kennedy (Buenos Aires / Argentina), comments that arnica is one of the most popular plants to date due to its incredible ability to access multiple aspects of a treatment. Below are some of its main benefits:

1. Treating wounds: with healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhagic and antiseptic properties, arnica has been used for hundreds of years in order to quickly minimize the symptoms of bruises after knocks, cuts and accidents of all kinds, as highlighted by Eliete .

2. Reduce swelling and pain: Juliana Ponce, pharmacist responsible for Meta Manipulação, comments that the topical use of arnica is commonly indicated to reduce swelling and pain caused by sprains, bruises, muscle and joint problems, and also by insect bites. Regarding internal use, arnica is used as a homeopathic remedy for pain, bruises, arthritis and rheumatism.

3. Minimize post-traumatic stress: Juliana explains that arnica is also widely used before and after surgery to help minimize post-traumatic stress (bruising and swelling).

4. Healing power and aid in general recovery: Eliete comments that the greatest spread of arnica was in the aesthetic environment, in clinics of various specialties, from beauty salons to advanced surgery centers. “Its rapid restorative effect, decreasing pain, accelerating healing in less than 1/3 of the time, significantly softening scars from plastic surgery in general, have given it considerable pride of place. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, teenagers, animals, plants all benefit from your ability to recover,” she says.

5. Aid in dentistry: Eliete explains that arnica is also an ally in dentistry, before, during and after different treatments, acting as an anti-inflammatory, reducing and preventing bleeding.

6. Helps in overcoming trauma: the oral use of arnica can still be very useful in emotional treatments. Eliete highlights that homeopathy has a much deeper action than topical because it extends to the energetic, mental and emotional levels, thus accessing emotional traumas linked to all types of accidents. “Assault traumas, traumatic situations in general, from job loss to separations can have great comfort in their use”, she explains.

How to use arnica

Roberto Debski explains that arnica can be used as a herbal medicine, when the fresh or dried plant is used, which is macerated, crushed and prepared in the form of teas, tinctures, compresses, gels and ointments, and then applied externally.

“For internal use as a herbal medicine, care must be taken, as arnica can be toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic), in addition to that there are dozens of varieties of types, and the dosage for each person can be different”, warns the doctor.

Eliete reinforces that the oral use of arnica is not recommended in the topical form, but in the homeopathic form, because the plant has toxicity in its active principle, arnicin. As an example, a guideline from the specialist is to use the homeopathic form of arnica to help treat trauma (assaults, job loss, separation, among others), as follows:

• Take Arnica Montana CH 5: 2 drops in a sip of water, 2 times a day for 30 days (adults) and 15 days (children). Then suspend and, depending on each case, the person can continue with CH 6, 7 until the main complaint is felt to be harmonised.

But the main guideline is to look for a homeopath to indicate the treatment taking into account the particularities of each case.

Debski highlights that the use of arnica in homeopathy, which is a medical specialty, and in anthroposophy, is made in formulations that are manipulated in accordance with the principle of homeopathic pharmacopoeias. “Arnica is diluted, energized, in a production process that releases its healing properties, and then prepared in the form of globules, drops, ointments and creams, and also injectable,” he says.

Warnings about arnica

Eliete explains that the greatest care is with the internal use of arnica. “In external use, as soon as there is healing, the person should stop using it”, she says.

Debski highlights that, due to the possibility of arnica being hepatotoxic, great care must be taken with its use as a herbal medicine for internal use, as well as with the choice and origin of the plant, and also with the amount to be used, especially for its use. House made.

“There is a contraindication for its use in this presentation (herbal medicine for internal use) for pregnant women, infants or people with proven sensitivity to arnica”, adds the doctor.

For topical use, in compresses, ointments and creams, the risks are lower. “However, even so, you should seek the guidance of a doctor or professional who has experience in the use of arnica for guidance”, warns the doctor.

“When arnica is prepared in a homeopathic formulation, side effects are not common. But it is worth remembering that arnica formulations, for internal or external use, must be prescribed by a homeopathic doctor”, concludes Debski.

Now you know that arnica can really be “a holy medicine”, as long as it is used correctly and without putting health at risk. Therefore, do not hesitate to seek the advice of a homeopath when you want to benefit from the use of this famous plant.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.