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JOINT & ARTHRITIS PAIN

Arnica

Arnica montana

also known as mountain arnica

Moderate (topical) — internal use is dangerous
Arnica — Köhler 1887 botanical illustration

A bright yellow alpine wildflower used in European medicine for centuries as a topical remedy for bruises, sprains, and muscle soreness. Arnica is one of the genuinely useful topical anti-inflammatory herbs — but the same compounds that make it effective also make it toxic to swallow. The rule is simple: arnica goes on skin, never in the mouth.

  • Topical arnica gel or cream eases bruising, swelling, and soreness from minor injuries
  • Eases muscle soreness after exercise
  • Topical use after surgery may reduce bruising and swelling — used by some surgeons before and after procedures
  • Long traditional European use specifically for bumps, bruises, and physical injury
  • Approved by Germany's Commission E for external use on bruises, sprains, and muscle soreness
  • Homeopathic arnica (highly diluted) is considered safe for internal use; the herbal preparation is not
Never swallow non-homeopathic arnica — the herbal tincture or extract is toxic, causing irregular heartbeat, dizziness, vomiting, and at higher doses cardiac arrest
Never apply to broken skin or open wounds — absorption increases dramatically
Skin irritation and contact dermatitis are common with prolonged topical use
Possible cross-reactivity with ragweed and other daisy-family allergies
Skip during pregnancy and nursing
Keep arnica products away from children — mistaken ingestion is the most common arnica poisoning
Limit continuous topical use to a couple of weeks at a time
Research

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro · Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

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The curious few.
50 founding spots left

Know what you're putting in your body.

158 herbs, nutrients, and compounds. What the science says, what tradition knew, and what to watch for. Founding members keep this running.

$60 /year

Founding rate — locked for life. Regular price after launch: $96/year.

  • ✓ Full access to all 158+ entries
  • ✓ Print-ready reference card for every herb
  • ✓ Monthly curated set — 5 herbs, one body system
  • ✓ The Sunday Letter — weekly research digest
  • ✓ Bookmarks synced across devices
  • ✓ Founding rate locked forever
Become a founding member

Cancel any time. No questions asked.