Arnica is one that has gotten a lot of arthritis patients' attention because of its purportedanti-inflammatoryproperties.
While natural, arnica carries serious side effects if dosed orally and is reserved for topical use.
What Is Arnica?
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Since the 1500s, the fresh or dried flowers of the arnica plant have been used for medicinal purposes.
Arnica is also used to treat muscular aches, joint pain, andarthritis.
It is believed that the arnica plant has anti-inflammatory properties.
There also were minimal side effects with arnica.
Study participants applied arnica gel twice daily for three to six weeks.
One person had an allergic reaction, but the gel was well-tolerated by most patients.
Arnica gel was found to reduce pain and stiffness and improve function.
It can be made into compresses or poultices.
It is usually used topically because serious side effects can result from oral administration of arnica.
Oralhomeopathic remediesthat contain arnica do exist, but they are heavily diluted to eliminate potential harm.
Warnings and Precautions
There are serious side effects that can occur with oral administration of arnica.
It can be fatal in large doses.
Always discuss what you are using or taking with your healthcare provider, including supplements and herbs.
There are no known interactions with arnica.
There are arnica pills.
People who are pregnant or breast feeding should never take arnica by mouth.
Before using arnica pills, consider speaking to your healthcare provider about other solutions.
Arnica isn’t considered the first choice forsunburn treatment.
Instead, try taking a cool bath or shower for pain relief.
When you finish bathing, gently dry your skin and leave a little bit of water on the burn.
Afterward, use a moisturizer on the affected skin to trap moisture and prevent dryness.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat sunburn.
