Homeopathic Arnica and its uses
Arnica Montana is a homeopathic remedy widely used for the injuries from fall or blow. The common name of Arnica Montana is leopard's bane or mountain tobacco. Arnica is a plant and grows abundantly in the mountainous areas of Europe. Since1500's, European and shepherds used arnica widely to relieve the muscle soreness and muscle aches . Since then Arnica is widely used.
Description of Arnica Plant
Arnica is a perennial plant which grows with yellow and orange flowers. The flowers are similar to daisy flowers. The leaves are slightly hairy with rounded tips. For medicinal purpose fresh and dried flower heads are used.
Medicinal Uses of Arnica - Arnica has multiple uses from minor bruise on the skin till the brain tumor.
1) Injuries - Arnica is well known for any kind of injuries. If there is the history of fall, accident or blow on the body part due to heavy object, Arnica is indicated.
2) If the wound appears bluish and blood is accumulated beneath the skin give arnica immediately, the pain and bruises will disappear quickly.
3) Insect bite - Insect bite is so common. After insect bite the skin gets swollen and painful , arnica works well if immediately prescribed after the bite.
4) Pregnancy and delivery - Arnica is indicated after the normal vaginal delivery where the genitals get sore and bruised. Along with arnica f calendula ointment is applied to the parts the wound heals quickly.
5) Brain Concussion - Concussion is the brain injury due to some trauma to brain where person loses his consciousness or is conscious but with altered sensorium with headache. The concussion can be due to sudden blow on the head during the accident or fights. Arnica works very well in these cases. As soon as the Arnica is prescribed the patient starts gaining some consciousness. Depending on the severity arnica doses are prescribed in such cases.
6) Overexertion of muscle - Arnica is indicated in muscle soreness and muscle pain due to excess use of muscle. For example - after heavy workout the muscles get stiff and painful, take arnica one dose immediately the muscle soreness goes away within no time.
7) Mouth wash - Arnica mother tincture in the diluted form can be useful as mouth wash. It helps effectively to reduce the oral bacteria's and infections. But do not swallow the dilution.
8) Hair fall - Arnica hair oil is available in the market which can be effectively useful to reduce the hairfall. Mix arnica oil with pure parachute oil in equal quantity and apply every alternate day the result will be good.
9) Mental trauma- Arnica can be used for the mental trauma like after mental shock or mental grief. For example - if a person goes in mental shock after severe family grief where he is not able to speak correctly or perform the active work and becomes delirious then arnica fits .
10) Dental extraction or surgery - Arnica acts miraculously in dental surgeries. If you have an appointment with dentist for root canal or teeth extraction then just take one single dose of Arnica 1M 1 hour prior to the procedure. You will not feel any pain, swelling and bleeding will be minimal.
11) Post surgery pain - Patients usually do not recognize the pain after surgery. But within 8 hours of surgery the post operative pain starts and that becomes unbearable. At this time arnica can be useful to reduce the pain.
Dosage and mode of administration of Arnica
Arnica is usually prescribed in the form of pills while occasionally in the form of tincture and ointment.
Arnica should be given immediately after the injury or trauma to get the effective results.
Never apply the arnica tincture locally on the bruises or cuts, it will aggravate more.
Arnica ointment can be applied at the painful parts like joint pain, muscular sprain, etc.but cannot be applied on the part of bruises it will burn more.
Dose - For the safer side Arnica is given in the form of 30 or 200 dose. If your want to self medicate arnica the this is the best dose to start. The homeopathic physician can prescribe the dose higher than 200 but it depends on the severity and indication.
For mother tincture administration dilute the 10 drops of tincture in half cup of water and then take the sip from that solution.. But mother tincture should be taken carefully and under the supervision.
Side-effects of Arnica
There is no side - effects if it is taken in correct form and correct dosage. As mentioned above if applied on the skin in crude form it may cause burning and skin rash. Pregnant and breast feeding women avoid unnecessary intake of arnica even though no side-effects seen in them.