Arnica
 

Following on from a comment in another thread.... what's the low down on Arnica, then? I bruise like a bugger. I have friends who swear by it -taken orally and applied topically, but skeptical old me hasn't seen any effect...

Do you use it? Orally or topically? How do you know it works -what effect does it have on you? Is it bruise reducing, pain-relieving or both?

I haven't seen any effect from oral usage. I used it last night and this morning as a topical cream and it appears to reduce pain and swelling.

WHat did you used to use before you discovered Arnica? Do you use ice too?

Ice for swelling followed by heat for loosening. Advil usually works for swelling for me as well. I only tried the arnica cream after my coach raved about it.

I've used arnica in a diffusion with other herbs as a wound wash, to reduce swelling and bruising in a fresh piercing.

Does anyone think it's a load of tosh? (no personal attacks please -cept on me -you can fire away :lol:)

We use arnica for bruises at our place, and with two little boys, there's a fair bit of it. I think it helps.

We also use comfrey for strains and sprains etc. Actually, those two are important parts of the first aid kit we take when we go camping mainly because you don't want to be damaged on a camping trip, and if it's a serious injury, you want to be able to do every little thing you can for it while you're trying to get help.

I keep both pill and gel form on hand and use it on all variety of boo boos. Either it works or my kids just don't bruise or feel pain after a minute or 2.

Actually, my PS suggested taking it orally for a week before my surgery, and for some time after. I did - and had zero bruising.

I think that's a good tip, Jinx (take before surgery). As long as you tell your doctor you're taking it.

My mother used to make me put on a topical gel form for sore muscles, and it never did one damn bit of good. But it sounds from the comments here that it's supposed to be more for injuries than strained muscles, so maybe I wasn't using it right.

As I understand it, it's supposed to reduce bruising and so the associated pain and swelling, but I could be horribly wrong, and even if I'm not, I'm not sure how it works

Arnica speeds up your white blood cells, so fights pool blood (bruise) and inflamed joints, it also helps with blood circulation.

I swear by it!!

The super natural stuff is supplied over here in a pill that is dissolved under the tongue, that great for quick action after an injury....the supplement herb is great taken prior.

I havent had much success with the external creams/gels etc.

How does it "speed up" your while blood cells?

Theres a gazillion little tazers running around your body, poking the white blood cells in the arse.....racist little buggers.

Sheesh Monster, accept that it works and get on with it :p

How does Garlic help with colds? How does Evening Primrose Oil help with ya girlie probs? How does St Johns help with depression?

garlic helps with colds? That's a new one on me.