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Arnica Montana, commonly known as leopard’s bane, is a plant indigenous to Europe. It is mainly cultivated in North America. The word ‘Arnica’ has been derived from Latin meaning ‘Lambskin’, because of the wooly textured leaves. However, the word ‘Montana’ depicts mountains, i.e., where the plant grows. The drug Arnica Montana is prepared from the roots of its plant.
Back in those days, when it was not yet scientifically proven to have medicinal properties, the locals used to pop it into their mouth in cases of falls, injuries, and pains. Little was it known that this plant would have intrinsic medicinal properties that could replace a surgeon’s knife in some cases.
Arnica has been used in homeopathy to treat a variety of injuries, both fresh and old. It can be used to treat both the acute and chronic effects of injuries. These injuries leave a sore, bruised feeling all over the body. The patient feels restless and cannot find a comfortable spot to rest at. In the olden times, it was also used as a topical treatment.
Arnica has an important role to play in many conditions, but it is a renowned drug for its action on the injuries. It can be given for major as well as minor injuries, where the bleeding is concealed and the skin stays intact. Arnica is known to have antibiotic and muscle relaxing properties as well.
The efficacy of Arnica in healing injured tissues is testified from the fact that many surgeons around the world use this homeopathic medicine to promote healing and minimizing postoperative infections.
The ‘Arnica’ Constitution
Arnica tends to suit ‘Plethoric’ constitutions, meaning those who have an abounding quantity of blood, with a red face and lively expressions. Constitutionally, the patients are predisposed to congestions of the parts like the head and limbs.
Arnica: Drug Action
The chief action of arnica is on the blood and blood vessel particularly on the capillaries (small blood vessels). It is known to possess a quality of absorbing blood. It also has antibiotic properties, hence preventing septic conditions. On the muscles, it acts as a muscle relaxant and relieves the tension of the stressed parts.
The scope of Arnica in Treating Injuries
Arnica for Bruises
A bruise is a bluish black discoloration that forms under the skin, sometimes may look like a blood clot.
Arnica is an infallible remedy for such complaints. The bruises could be due to any reason, be it a mechanical trauma or due to weak capillaries. It has been clinically seen that sometimes people tend to have a random bruise here and other and the patient himself is not aware of any trauma at the site. Such bruises can arise as a result of extravasation(outflow) of blood from the small vessels owing to the weak capillary walls. This is how Arnica can do wonders in such cases; it affects the weak capillary walls and strengthens them and also causes constriction of the dilated small vessel, stopping the flow of blood. It can affect these vessels and increases their power to retain the blood. It is a wonderful remedy in the first stage of injury, where much bruising has been done and the pain is intense but diffused.
It can also be given for bruises that arise as a result of a blow to the stomach or other organs. Not to forget its impeccable role in treating ‘Black Eye’, i.e.the bluish black discoloration surrounding the eye which is generally because of a strong blow to the part.
The parts that are bruised are very sore; the soreness being much greater than the size of the bruise. The patient can barely afford to move or let alone touch the affected part. Arnica can help in dealing with the soreness and tenderness in such cases, along with healing the bruise.
Arnica Montana for Haemorrhages
Arnica has a wonderful capability of reabsorption of blood. It can be given for hematomas (collection of blood under superficial layers), for conditions where there is concealed bleeding, the blood has escaped out of the capillaries but the skin remains intact. Such conditions when there is no sufficient tone in the fibers of the vessel to hold the blood. The vessel walls then ooze out blood. These hemorrhages are a result of mechanical traumas, which are blunt without causing any open wounds. An important thing to note in cases of injuries where there has been bleeding is that Arnica should only be used once the bleeding has stopped (either by suturing or once the wound has gone through the stage of initial clot formation). It is a well-indicated remedy for cases of retinal hemorrhages and helps in the easy resolving of the condition. It can also be given in cases of epistaxis ( bleeding from the nose) especially after an episode of injury to the nasal area. Here, Arnica helps in vasoconstriction of the vessels and helps in stopping the bleeding.
It also very effectively dissolves the petechial hemorrhages (small pinpointed bleeding spots under the skin), owing again to the re-absorption capability of the medicine.
Arnica for Suppuration
Arnica has often proved to be beneficial for cases where the wounds have a tendency for pus formation that could be avoided with its use. It can be given in cases of pyaemia and septicaemia, as a result of a trauma. It often happens that after a blow or contusion, the patient gets restless, has a lame sore feeling all over the body, tosses and turns on lying down, cannot find a spot soft enough to make him feel relaxed. This could or could not be attended with fever. In such cases, Arnica has proven to be a great remedy. It can remove the bacterial infections in the background owing to its antibiotic properties, along with healing the concealed bleeding under the skin and other consequences of an injury. Many surgeons use Arnica in order to prevent postoperative infections in their patients.
Arnica for Sprains
A very common type of injury that almost everyone has faced one time or the other is a sprain due to a misstep. An injury of the ligaments is known as a sprain. It can be caused due to twisting of the foot in an undesired manner. It is a very common type of injury seen in sportsmen or in women who wear high heels. Such cases of sprains where even wearing the shoe could seem like a task can be marvelously healed with Arnica. Arnica relaxes the tension of the twisted ligament and helps in managing the pain, soreness and the lameness of the part affected. The black and blue appearance of the sprained part goes away in a surprisingly short time, and one can manipulate the part with much ease.
Arnica for Fractures
Arnica is especially given in fractures of the head or spine, with the compression of the brain. It very well manages those cases where the patient goes into a coma (unconscious state) after an accident, where there is head injury or the spinal cord may be involved. It can minimize the post-injury effects and works well for people who go into a coma following the injury. Its effective role in helping a patient come out of coma post the injury puts Arnica under the special category of treating head injuries.
Conditions that arise after a head injury (whether recent or remote), can be effectively treated with the remedy. For example, epilepsy following an injury to the head, loss of memory, speech problems following an injury etc. are also effectively cured with Arnica.
Fractures of the bone may call for the use of Arnica, both externally and internally, to relieve the swelling of the limb. Many times, people develop localized muscle twitching after a fracture, which is nothing but a reflex of the fracture. They feel significantly better with respect to the pain, swelling, and tenderness when treated with Arnica. Arnica helps in speeding the process of healing and preventing the infection and deterioration of the bone.
Arnica for Myalgia
A very common phenomenon that has been clinically seen is that once a disease has taken its course and resolved, it leaves a trail of unrelated complaints behind. For instance, after an episode of flu, patients complain of muscular pains all over. They cannot relate it to any other event but to the illness that they have suffered in the past. Such pains (though have no direct relation to the illness they have suffered from), cannot be ignored. This is where Arnica can prove to be beneficial. It is an underestimated remedy in such cases of myalgia (muscle pains), where the muscle pains have started as a consequence of a disease. It can also be given for cases where the muscles are sore and tender as a result of over-straining, be it at the gym or laborious working at a workplace.
It works brilliantly in myalgia of the intercostal muscles (muscles between the ribs) after exertion, where the person feels as if his ribs are bruised, and even breathing becomes difficult for him.
Other Clinical Conditions Treated with Arnica:
- Concealed Injuries
- Typhoid fevers
- Gout
- Black eye
- Fractures
- Sprains and Strains
- Meningitis
- Mechanical Otitis
- Epistaxis
- Myalgia
- Haematuria
- Hydrocele
- Uterine Prolapse
- Metrorrhagia
- Boils
- Septicemia
- Appendicitis
- Postpartum Haemorrhages
- Bed Sores
- Headache
- Bronchitis
- Diarrhea
- Dysentery
- Haematuria
Dosage
Homeopathic medicine Arnica is recommended in the potency of 30C. In recent, fresh injuries it can be repeated frequently. In cases of remote injuries, it can be used in high potencies but with infrequent repetitions.
It can also be applied locally in the form of tincture, but not on abraded (broken) skin.
Caution: Although homeopathic medicine Arnica is a safe remedy to use, a homeopathic physician must be consulted prior to its use.
Arnica and Other Homeopathic Remedies
Arnica follows well after Aconite, Apis, Ham, Ipecacuanha and Veratrum album.
- It is complementary to Aconite, Hypericum and Rhus tox.
- It antidotes the effect of Camphor.
- It is followed well by Acid sulph.
How to use Arnica
Mild-to-moderate injuries can be effectively treated at home using Arnica. It is also sold by the name of Arnica Montana. 30 c potency of Arnica can be taken internally 4- 5 times a day. Its use should be discontinued once the desirable relief has been achieved. In cases where the injury is severe and blood loss is uncontrollable, one should immediately contact the local hospital
Respected Sir,
My wife has given birth in August.but her breast milk secretion is very low.Can you prescribe me a homeo medicine that will help to increase the breast milk.thanking you in advance.
My wife has given birth in August.but her breast milk secretion is very low.can prescribe to increase the milk.
Dear Dr. My daughter aged 10 yrs, is suffering from temporal headache.
1st attack lasted for 65 days non stop 24 hrs. from 3 of aug 2010
2nd lasted for 20days after a gap 4-5 months
3rd presently having from last 40 days again 24×7 non stop.
CTscan normal, MRI shows distal flow intransverse sinuses. Shown to neurologist, says its normal, under treatment with lunarin 1/2 of 5mg in night, in vain no result. Can you please help.
لدى جلطة دماغية خفيفة منذ عامين والتهاب فى الاعصاب الطرفية وسكرى وضغض اريد العلاج بالطب التجانسى
My mother is 62 years old, diabetic (controlled). Before a month she was admittede in ICU for heart problem. Her LVEF is 30% with conclusions as below
Ischemic Heart Disease
Regional Wall Motion Abnormality is seen.
Mild Mitral Regurgation
Mild Tricuspid Regurgitation
Mild Pulmonary Hypertension
Compromised Left Ventricular Systolic function.
She also had a hyper acidity problem.
Now a days she had a breathing trouble start from 7pm (sometimes)
Please suggest a best remedy to cure.
Awaiting for favourable reply.
hi dear friends, im 2 studying homoeopathy . N i took arnica for my pain in leg , pain was due to stitches in my rt leg n within a mnth i got relief of the pain . Arnica is wonderful remedy for pain . . . . . . . Thnk u
Plz suggest Arnica to ankur for Eshaan’s treatment… homepathy is safe n no side effects…. i cant fwd it to him.
Dear Dr.
Is there any homeopathy medicine for not being able to pass urine, dog has been suffering and not able to urinate for the last 2 days. We tried putting a cathetra but there sees to be an obstruction , we dont know if there are is a stone , but he is quite bad so please could you help us , and also to relieve the pain.
Thank you
Swarup
assalamu aleecum.i am a homoeopath i have lower back stifness for 3 days i m taking rhus tox 30 but no effect plz give me expert opnion and my wife suffering in amenrrhoea for one month tell me medicines about her thanking u in advance
Undergone angioplasty in March 2006 after a heart attack
LVEF is 20% from March 06 and even today Latest 2D Echo test says
1. IHD with severe LV dysfuntion -Overall EF-20%
2.Deacresae LV compliance
Would you suggest any homeopathy treatment to improve LVEF?
Male , 58 years
Thanks
Devindersingh
sir i would like to know that is there any cure available 4 motor neuron disease.i m a physiotherapist n my patient is taking homeopathy medicine 4 motor neuron disease.do u think that she will recover????
thanks
i have been long under psyhatric tratment with homeopathy and allopathy.there is still something wrong with me.
Dear Dr. Sharma ji, hw r u
myself Tejpal Singh from Amritsar. I want to share with you my problem i suffer with the disease of epilepsy from last 10 years. this problem occurs due to my head injury. Already i am taking allopathic medicine like Oxytol 300 & phenytol 30 twice a day. & Lobazame 10 one time a day. now i am also intrested to take some homeo medicine pls. suggest me regarding this.
Sir, i would like to know is there any possibility to control the MITRAL VALVE STENOSIS through homeopathic.
If it is please tell me, becaue i have mitral valve stenosis and its very severe now.
I will be anxiously waiting for ur reply.
thanking u in anticipation
Hi, I have been suffering with hip pain and lower back stiffness. Can Arnica ointenment help? I have had it off and on but now it is everyday. I can’t take
anti inflam. so I was wondering if this may help some.
Thanks!
My Brother is 29 years old and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He is now in a come and his been in this state of mind for 2 weeks now.
Doctors are stating he has no chance and is almost brain dead leaving a few blood vessels.
Brain is completely swollen and can not see any definition in the CT scan.
I started him on homeopathic medication last week June 27th
Gave him
Arnica 6x from the 28th – 30th ( 4 times a day with 4 hour intervals)
Arnica 200c july 1st ( 5 drops 6 times a day with 3 hour intervals)
Arnica 1m juy 2 ( 5 drops 15 m intervals )
Arnica 1m july 3-4 ( 5 drops 2 hour intervals )
Arnica 200c july 6th ( 5 drops two times a day)
Arnica 1m july 7th ( 5 drps , two times a day)
There was ct scan done last week on the july 2nd and there were no changes, in fact there was more swelling of the brain and there was blood in his stool yesterday ( juky 6th).
If you can help me in any way, please let me know as to how and what i can do to help his situation. Either way, i would appreciate an honest answer to his recovery.
Thank you in advance for your time and help.
best regards ,
Hi,
My father got a stroke july 2007 and the left side became paralyzed as well as throat problem. But now he has recovered quite well, except disability in left leg and foot, so he is in wheel chair. Since the stroke he have had severe pain in the hips, front muscle and knee as well as right shoulder. Although the pain in the hips is little bit better now. Here is his medical history:
1.Age/Sex/Country/Climate
81 years
Sweden
Cold winters (snow and rain) and warm summers (humid and c. 23 celcius degrees).
2.Current complaint – from how long
My father got a stroke end of July last year. He became paralysed on the left side: leg, arm, hanging lip corner, cheek, could not eat, weak voice, swollen hand and foot, diarreah and incontinence, incoordination (middle point of the body). Now he can every part of the body more or less, except the left foot. The left hand has is not swollen any more. He swolling problem has improved and he is not incontinent or diarreah. The pain with stiffness and cracking sound is severe in back, hip, knees, shoulders and front muscle in each leg. He can stand for short moments and the balance has improved. Stomach problem with lot of gases. Left leg is involventory moves forwards sometimes and when he yawing the left hand rises. He is in wheel chair. The improvments are good according to the nurses and doctors. Severe detoriation of the cartilages in the hip and knees according to x-ray.
3.Current medicine you are taking
Warfarin, medicine for bp, parcemetol, morphine plaster (lowest dose), Arnica (3 pellets D30 in wet dose) once a day, Ruta grav (D30) one pill twice a day, Rhus tox (D30) one pill twice daily and Causticum (D30) one pill twice daily, Formica rufa 3 pellets (D30) twice a week and Argentum metallicum (D30) 3 pellets twice a week.
4.Sign & Symptom of disease
See under 2.
5.Brief medical history
Back pain for 40 years ago. Asthma which was cured with Noni Juice for 10 years ago. The osteoarthritis became worse during the last c. 2 yrs. About 3 month before the stroke, he started to have more pain, stiffness (difficult to bend the back forward and move right leg. Dim eyesight and slightly swelling of feet. After the beginning of the homeopathic remedies the movement of the left and arm leg has improved, but not the pain.
6.Family Back Ground
His wife died 1981 and unmarried since then. One son. Lives in the same house as his son and relatives in another at the yard. A dog. Lives now at home after 3 month at the hospital. Get assistance with cooking, move between bed and wheel chair, bathing, dressing.
7.Education and Nature of Profession of Patient
Primary school. Garderner, before the retirement. Active and excersing with gardening after he retired. Loves nature and the sea.
9.Desires and aversion of food
Likes almost all food: fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, ice cream, cakes, etc. Disliked spicey food and liked salt. After the stroke he dislikes salt (salty taste in the mouth) and not so much sweets as before.
10.Mind-behavior, anger, irritability, hurry, impatient…etc.. How you are peculiar from other person, public speaking or not .. You can describe all the detail about behaviour, love and affection. For a good prescription mental detail is must be.
Almost never angry or irritated before the stroke. Not really afraid for nothing. After the stroke, sometimes blaming for things he cannot manage. Sometimes feeling little bit hopeless and sad, but we all trying to support him. Excercising daily alone or with help of others.
11.What makes it worse and what makes it better
Cold weather, sitting too long in the wheel chair and moving in the from the bed to the wheel chair makes it worse. When he is sitting in the wheel chair he need to move around, because the pain in the hip and the leg muscle get less.
12.Thirst/Tongue/diabetic
Normal thirst, no remarkable signs on the tongue, no diabetic (tested).
Dear soctor,
I had IMI some years ago resulting in serious LV dysfunction due to
lack of oxygen supply to the tissues. LVEF is 35 % and 2/3rd of LV
is dysfunctional. I wonder whether ARNICA will be useful in healing
the injury to the injured / dead muscles.
my mother faced with an Hemorrhagic stroke which has affected thalamus and ganglionic region..is there any treatment for recovery as earlier dianosed and treated with allopatic medicine.
Hello Dr.
I have been facing with a problem with “left sinus transverse thrombosis”. Taken many treatments but MRI results shows, it still blocked.
Can it be cured through homeopathy? Pls. advise the best treatment.
Thanks
Pratul
Dear Dr. Sharma,
I have been suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia for the las 8 years. After trying various types of treatment I finally went in for surgery last summer. I had to go in for this as I was reacting to medication like Tegretol etc.
Unfortunately I don’t seem to have benefited much from this proceedure. In fact besides the TN problem I now also have transverse sinus thrombosis. Things are in a mess.
Do you think there could be any hope for me to come out of this mess.
I would like to hear from you.
Thanking you,
Paramjit Kaur