Arnica is applied to the skin, and is available as creams, sprays, massage balms, and bath products. It’s also available as homeopathic pillules (tiny pills) that you swallow.
Arnica is safe to use when applied to the skin in a thin layer as a cream or gel. Make sure you only apply to areas of unbroken skin. It’s also fine to take homeopathic arnica tablets or spray; in homeopathic medicine, the herb is heavily diluted.
However, never use raw arnica – when consumed raw and undiluted, it’s toxic to the body, and applying it directly to the skin can cause irritation.7The following people shouldn’t take arnica:
Some side-effects have been reported, but it’s not known how often they occur. These are:
If you start to experience any of these symptoms, stop taking arnica and see your GP.
Shop Arnica Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP before trying any remedies.Sources
1. Encyclopedia.com. Arnica2. As above
3. European Medicines Agency. Arnica flower4. As above
5. Marzotto M, et al. Arnica montana Stimulates Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression in a Macrophage Cell Line Differentiated to Wound-Healing Phenotype 6. Leu S, et al. Accelerated resolution of laser-induced bruising with topical 20% arnica: a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial 7. ScienceDirect. Arnica Montana 8. European Medicines Agency. Community herbal monograph on Arnica montana L.,flos 9. European Medicines Agency. Arnicae flos 10. As Source 8