Arnica Homeopathic Remedy for Bruises and Sprains

Photo by xandert.

I have recently been reading a variety of books on medicinal herbs and herbal preparations and several of them have mentioned the Arnica 6x homeopathic remedy. Now I am not very familiar with homeopathy at all but thought it was interesting that these books recommended a homeopathic remedy over any herbs (which the books were about) for this particular circumstance.

Arnica 6x was recommended for use when there is pain caused by accidental injury such as after a fall, knock, or scrape, on sport injuries and muscular aches and pains after exercise, sprains and strains, and even after surgery or dental work.

Now I know that arnica gel or cream is good for bruises, sprains, and strains when it is rubbed in to the area so I suppose it makes sense that taking an arnica remedy internally will also help assist in the repair and healing of bruised and sprained tissues and muscles.

I have also read that it can be used before physical exercise or other event which may cause bruising (e.g. surgery or going to the dentist) to help limit any damage. It can also be used in the recovery after a heart attack or stroke and can help with shock after an accident or emotional trauma.

It offers natural pain relief without any side effects like conventional pain killers. It is also an anti-inflammatory.

A few days after reading about this remedy, I was at a friends house recalling how I had hit my elbow on a piece of wood while making a wardrobe earlier that day and how it was painful and effecting me massaging and she produced this small pot of Arnica 6x homeopathic pillules and told me to take one. So I took one, forgot all about it, my elbow healed quickly, and I was back massaging in no time.

It’s funny how things like this happen – one day I’ve no knowledge about this remedy and the next I find it in several books and a friend recommends it too! I think I’m going to add this remedy to my first aid box along with the lavender and tea tree essential oils and aloe vera gel. It will come in handy for me as I’m always getting bruises and scrapes on the arms and legs from karate training.

The arnica 6x tablet should be taken immediately after an accident/upset/injury and repeat at hourly intervals for up to 12 hours to ease shock and trauma. Check the instructions on the bottle before use though to ensure you take the correct dose as it seems to vary depending on the product you buy. If you are pregnant, you should consult your GP or a qualified homeopath before using this remedy.

Essential Oil in Focus: Wintergreen

Botanical name: Gaultheria procumbens

Aroma type: herbaceous/medicinal

Note: Middle - Top

When students first start training in Aromatherapy, they are given a list of oils which are considered too hazardous to be used in aromatherapy so should be avoided. Wintergreen is one of the essential oils which feature on the list. If wintergreen (or any of the other oils on the list) are not safe to use, then why are they still manufactured and why do many aromatherapy stockists still sell them? If Wintergreen is considered to be that hazardous, then why is it the main ingredient of shop-bought muscle rubs such as deep heat? The leaf and stem of the plant are also listed in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeiaas being helpful for rheumatoid arthritis!

Many of the oils on the “hazard” list are very beneficial oils: pennyroyal is excellent for rheumatism and arthritis; camphor is beneficial for respiratory problems; sage is helpful for menstrual problems; and wintergreen is great for joint and muscle aches and pains. These oils are very beneficial when used correctly so they are definitely best left for the professional aromatherapist as it is important to get the right dilution for a blend. The main concern with these oils is that they are toxic when taken internally but as they aren’t used in this way in aromatherapy this shouldn’t present a problem.

The properties of Wintergreen essential oil are anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient (increases blood circulation to the area and warms the skin), analgesic, astringent, anti-tussive (suppresses and relieves coughing), carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, and antiseptic.

Wintergreen can help with lumbago, sciatica, arthritis, gout, bursitis, bunions, rheumatism, sprains/strains, neuralgia, fibromyalgia, muscular aches and pains, respiratory conditions, sinusitis, coughs, tendonitis, nasal congestion, colds/flu, asthma, cramps, muscle spasms, digestive problems, fluid retention, PMT, and irregular/lack of periods.

Wintergreen contains 98% methyl salicylate. When applied to the skin, the salicylates are absorbed and enter the tissues to inhibit the formation of prostaglandins (a substance which acts like a hormone which is produced in response to trauma and has an effect on smooth muscle activity), thereby reducing inflammation and pain.

Wintergreen should not be used if you are allergic to aspirin, if you suffer with liver problems, are on blood thinning medication (anti-coagulants) such as warfarin or heparin, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The essential oil should also be avoided if you are already using any medication or topical creams which contain methyl salicylate. I’d also advise that it not be used on children.

A suitable blend for use on sprains and sore muscles would be 35 drops in 250mls of witch hazel. The blend can be bottled and stored in the fridge to keep cool. This makes an excellent rub to use after exercise. Wintergreen can also be added to a carrier oil (Arnica would be a good choice) along with other essential oils such as thyme, black pepper, ginger, marjoram, and eucalyptus. Blends containing wintergreen (including shop bought products) should not be used on large surface areas just on the localised area of pain so don’t cover your whole body in it at once! It is advisable to perform a patch test first as wintergreen can be an irritant to sensitive skin.

It’s not the best smelling oil but when blended with other essential oils it can become less overpowering. It apparently blends well with ylang ylang, ravensara, peppermint, and the oils I have already listed above. I actually quite like the smell - just think deep heat and you’ve got it! I think I like the smell because I know it is really good for soothing my aching muscles after a hard karate session rather than me actually liking the aroma in its own right.

Sweet Birch essential oil has nearly the exact chemical make up as wintergreen and is also an excellent choice for musculoskeletal problems. Both oils have been used in herbal remedies for centuries.

Run Down of 2008

As 2008 ends and we head in to the new year I thought it would be a fitting time to give a run down of what’s been happening for Balance Holistics during 2008.

In March, I finished my Reiki training. I started on my Reiki path in June 2006 when I reached level 1 (Shoden) with a Reiki Master in Nottingham. After moving to Bristol, I continued my training with Ruth Hartley of ReikiJoy reaching level 2 (Okuden) in February 2007, and then my Master/Teacher level (Shinpiden) early last year. More information about Reiki can be found on the Balance Holistics website.

April saw the launch of Balance Holistics’ new website. Thank you to everyone for their contributions, comments and feedback.

In June, I attended Silverhill School Ladies Pamper and Shopping Evening in Winterbourne where I provided 15-minute taster sessions in Hot Stone Massage and Aromatherapy Massage. It was a very busy and enjoyable evening. I also attended several Pamper Parties around Bristol which were arranged through The Pamper Company. At the end of June, I left my part-time job to focus all my energy and efforts on Balance Holistics.

Balance Holistics blog was launched in July.

In September, I attended a two-day Advanced Massage Techniques course in Newport. I will be attending the follow-up day to this course in June 2009. At the end of September, I travelled to Donnington Park for the annual FHT Holistic Conference. I attended several talks and workshops on various aspects of holistic therapies including The Balance Procedure, How to avoid burnout, and Using music and meditation with Indian Head Massage.

October was a quite month for Balance Holistics as I was away on holiday in Thailand for three weeks.

In early December, I received 7th Kyu in Shotokan Karate. I started training with Bristol Shotokan Karate back in January and have been progressing through the belts. Karate helps to keep me balanced and gives me focus. It complements my healing practice perfectly.

I’d like to say a big thank you to all of my clients for their business in the past year and wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

2009 is a year of professional development for me. I have booked on to various training courses to further my skills in existing therapies I practice including Advanced Massage Techniques and Essential Oils for Pregnancy and Childbirth. I will also be training in two completely new therapies – Thai Foot Massage and Holistic Facials.