SO DYK
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

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