Deserved popularity (Arnica)

Member Name: SaraL

Product:	Arnica
Date:	11/09/00 (869 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: widely available and easy to use

Disadvantages: with oral medication symptoms may initially worsen

Arnica is one of very few traditional homeopathic remedies that has achieved widespread awareness and popularity.

Its recent rise in popularity is, however, not especially surprising, it's certinly one of the easiest and least complicated items to use from the homeopathic medicine cabinet.

It comes in two key forms, lotion and potions to be applied topically, and the traditional x6 dilution homeopathic pills.

Both forms are suitable for arnica's prime usage, to help heal the body when it is faced with any 'traumatic' injury, ie an injury that results from an accident, tooth extraction, an operation or even childbirth! It can also help if you've had a hard day in the garden or gym

It's certainly gained a deserved reputation for its ability to boost healing of bruising, but it's actually effective against all sorts of soft tissue damage, including sprains and aching muscles.

When it comes to selecting homeopathic pills, I don't believe there's a great deal to choose between brands (although some practitioners do have their favourites). All are governed by the Medicines Acts which help to ensure quality and consistency.

That's not always true of arnica creams and so forth, however. Those produced by 'traditional' holistic medical firms tend to be OK - eg Nelson and Weleda. Those from 'cosmetic' companies, however, must be more suspect. Sometimes they contain ingredients which are generally considered inappropriate in homeopathy (eg SBC contains alcohol which will certainly 'fight' homeopathic effectiveness) and others have animal ingredients such as lanolin.

Finally, homeopathic remedies are great for animals (not necessarily including the creams - that depends on the animal). There are even homeopathic vets! But given animals' propensity to fight and get into scrapes it certainly won't hurt to try arnica on your furry friends.

>For pill - as a rough guide - dosage should be the same as for children. There's no harm in trying the creams, but cats and dogs will probably lick them off before they have a chance to have much effect!

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