Arnica cream is made from the arnica montana flower, also known as mountain tobacco or wolf’s bane. Other arnica species are native to western North America, while the commercially used arnica montana is native to Siberia and Eastern Europe. By itself, arnica is poisonous to consume but it is safe to use in trace amounts. It is a well known homeopathic remedy that has been used as a tincture in folk medicine for hundreds of years. Arnica gel and arnica cream are popular modernized forms of topical delivery.
If you need to know how to apply it or you’re just new to using arnica-infused products topically and are curious about how it works, we have developed a convenient user guide with suggested uses and frequently asked questions including some of the most common questions we get asked asked about arnica cream here at Clover Gift Shop. Here’s what we can tell you:
Arnica Cream User Guide & FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between arnica cream, arnica gel, arnica lotion, arnica salve, etc?
You can find arnica montana flower extract infused into creams, gels, lotions, salves, and more. The difference between these products is the ingredients and the carrier used for the arnica extract. At Clover Gift Shop, we prefer arnica cream over gel, lotion, or salve because it allows us to infuse more beneficial ingredients such as: organic sunflower oil, coconut oil, shea butter, organic hemp seed oil, full spectrum hemp extract, and more. Also included in our arnica cream is a blend of essential oils such as: lavender, eucalyptus, ginger, rosemary, peppermint, clary sage, helchrysium, sweet birch, and wintergreen. These natural ingredients all work together synergistically to help you experience pure relief.
Q: How does arnica cream or arnica gel work?
A: Arnica cream is a topical homeopathic remedy that is commonly used for benefitting the skin. It works mainly due to the main ingredient: arnica montana flower extract. This plant extracted oil may provide relief from muscle soreness as well as inflammation and bruises when used topically. The arnica flower gets its active properties from helenalin, a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the plant. It is the same chemical that gives the plant its toxicity in the wild but is a safe ingredient for herbal remedies in small amounts.
Q: Does arnica gel really work for bruises?
A: Arnica is a traditional folk remedy to help the body speed up the healing of bruises. A study in 2010 reported that a 20% strength topical arnica significantly reduced the size of bruises in only two weeks. Another study in 2017 revealed similar results. Arnica might not be as effective for post-surgical bruising, but more research is needed to make this conclusion. The effectiveness may depend on the situation, the dosage strength, how often it is applied, and other factors. Apply arnica cream to a test spot first to see how it will work for you.
Q: Is it effective for swelling?
A: The outcome of a recent medical study suggests that arnica gel may help reduce swelling in certain situations. Several positive cases of using arnica for swelling are as old as 1845! In 2016, a series of studies revealed that homeopathic arnica may be safe and effective for reducing swelling from knee surgery. The effectiveness varies with the dosage strength and the type of surgery. More studies on arnica are needed for doctors to reach a conclusion.
Q: What about arthritis?
A: There is promising medical research that suggests arnica gel may improve mobility for those with osteoarthritis in the knees and hands when applied twice daily for three weeks. Stiffness and discomfort related to osteoarthritis may also be reduced by arnica. It may even be as effective as taking an NSAID pain reliever. These findings make arnica an attractive alternative for people who cannot take NSAIDs.
Topical Arnica Cream: Thoughts in Conclusion
Arnica cream is generally a safe and natural alternative to try for temporary topical relief. It may assist in the reduction of swelling from strains and sprains. It also has potential to speed up the healing of bruises in certain situations. If you are allergic to marigolds or sunflowers, you may want to use something different than arnica for topical relief. Arnica interacts with certain medications, so ask your doctor before using it if you are taking medication. Arnica is not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Arnica’s herbal properties may work in tandem with other natural ingredients, like CBD. Our CBD-infused arnica cream is a great example. It’s one of our bestselling products! Our CBD oil is sourced directly from local Vermont farms and meets the federal guidelines of containing 0.3% THC or less. If you have further questions and would like to know more about topical arnica, contact us today. Our friendly staff is happy to get in touch with you. 🙂
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
