Arnica is good for bruises

Having arnica at the ready to reduce bruising is a simple and effective treatment, says Michele Simmons

Arnica Montana - to give it its proper name - is also known as Leopard's Bane, mountain tobacco and sneezewort. Found mainly in the mountains of Europe and in Siberia, this homeopathic remedy is made from the dried roots or sometimes the dried flowers of the plant.

As a remedy, the most popular ways of using Arnica are either as a cream, which can be used on chilblains, sprains and bruises, or as a homeopathic remedy to help encourage recovery from injury or surgery. The remedies are available as pillules, small tablets that are placed on the tongue and sucked or chewed until they dissolve.

How does it work?

Arnica works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells which process congested blood, and by dispersing trapped fluids from joints and muscles and bumped and bruised tissue. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities and it is these that help to reduce pain and swelling as well as improving wound healing.

Ironically these are the very same qualities that it was valued for centuries ago when it was widely used by physicians in Europe as a treatment for bruises. In fact, in the 16th century it is thought that mountain climbers would chew the fresh plant to relieve aching muscles and as treatment for all the bruises they ended up with from falls.

While there's no lack of anecdotal and historical evidence to show the part arnica plays in helping the body to heal itself, is there anything factual to support the stories? Actually, the answer is yes.

Modern applications

Recent trials involving a team of rugby players and a group of mothers with young children compared the effectiveness of different bruising treatments. A variety of bruising treatments were used including antioxidant injections, sports compresses, painkillers and vitamin K, which is thought to speed up healing, as well as arnica cream and tablets, or pillules, to give them their homeopathic name.