Arnica Montana: Top Benefits & Precautions

​Arnica is one of the most respected and famous remedies when it comes to healing aches, pains & inflammation. Learn about all the benefits of arnica and how to use it safely.

If you suffer from pain, stiffness, bruises, and so on, then this article is for you!

Arnica is one of the most respected and famous remedies when it comes to healing aches and pains as well as inflammation. In this article, we talk about the benefits of arnica and how to use it safely.

What is Arnica Montana?

Arnica is one of the most trusted go-to homeopathic remedies all over the world for aches and pains.

Arnica is a genus of a perennial plant that grows about 1 to 2 feet tall with beautiful, bright yellow colored daisy- like flowers that bloom in July and August. 

Arnica also goes by the names mountain tobacco, leopard's bane, wolfsbane and mountain daisy. 

Arnica is native to northwest U.S., northern and central Europe and Siberia.

Parts Used of Arnica for Medicinal Reasons -

The parts used of arnica plant for medicinal reasons are the fresh or dried flowers.

Benefits of Arnica Oil or Gel -

One oil (or gel or salve) that you must keep at your home at all times is the arnica oil (or gel or salve) - from aches and pains to stiffness, this is all you need to heal and feel better especially during the winter months.

-perfect for sore muscles, wound care, bruising, redness, discoloration, overexertion, and swelling

-perfect for aches and pains - neck pain & tightness, shoulders, back, hips, legs, joints, palms or hands - apply some arnica gel or oil or arnica salve and you will soon find relief

-absorbs well into the skin and immediately relaxes muscles

-great for strains, inflammation, spider veins, superficial phlebitis and sprains

-great for athletes or kids playing sports, construction workers, those working all day on computers or laptops, heavy lifters, delivery drivers (helps relaxes hand muscles), or anyone having a physically demanding job

-arnica is a great remedy to keep when travelling, flying or driving long distance to help beat stiffness

-arnica infused oil is great to massage on legs, feet and joints (or anywhere!) before bed to promote deep restful sleep

-arnica oil or gel or salve - all are excellent for post-surgery care, post-surgery pain and to heal the post-surgery scars as well

-great for those who have muscle cramps and restless leg syndrome

-great for massages, acupressure, cupping, etc.

-great for those who have very thin skin and bruise easily 

-great for arthritis sufferers and those with fibromyalgia

-great for seniors and cancer patients as arnica oil deeply relaxes the whole body thus lowering the stress levels- a crucial aspect in healing any disease esp. cancer

-excellent massage oil for lymphatic drainage so arnica infused oil can be a great aid in detoxification

-arnica infused oil is excellent for facial massage as well as for stimulating new hair growth since arnica is an excellent herb for increasing blood flow to the skin (face) as well as hair (scalp). Arnica also is used in homeopathic or herbal medicine for preventing premature greying of the hair. 

-arnica is also used to fight dandruff, dry scalp, split ends, redness, inflammation of the scalp and strengthen the roots to prevent hair loss. 

Arnica Oil Benefits for Women -

We talked about arnica oil benefits but did you know that this divine herb has immense benefits for women too?
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*Know that when I say 'arnica oil', I am talking about oil infused with arnica and not pure essential oil though you can use that too by mixing with some carrier oil like coconut or olive oil but it MUST be highly diluted as arnica is NOT a herb that is safe used neat or in weak dilutions. 

Nipples - The first and most important benefit of arnica oil for women is hands-down its use for healing a women's nipples. I have talked in previous newsletters why so many women suffer from nipple issues like soreness, dryness, etc. but since we have so many amazing new women who have recently joined and continue to join this newsletter and may have missed it, I will cover this point quickly...

Our nipples are a very delicate area of our breasts - soft, nurturing and sensual, they add a lot to our feminine beauty but they also require special care. A women's nipples can get sore or dry or red from breastfeeding, mastitis, wearing the wrong bra, nipple yeast infections, eczema, hormonal changes (menopause/childbirth/ovulation) and last but not least, during intimacy times when the nipple sucking/foreplay by our partners is a little too much.

Waking up to painful or sore, cracked nipples is not fun - arnica oil or arnica salve is an excellent, all natural soothing aid that can really help you keep your nipples comfortable, soft and healthy. You only need very little and while arnica is an age-old remedy for breast/nipple soreness, it is best to not use arnica on open wounds.

You will also find arnica in formulas made especially for breast and nipple care - as in, salves or butters or creams including those for new moms. So, using arnica infused oil is one way we can keep our nipples healthy.

UTI Pain & Healing the Bladder - Yup! Most blogs, health sites or even the best of the best doctors do not know this about arnica and therefore most women are never informed about the immense benefits of arnica for utis.

Arnica montana, combined in a homeopathic remedy or salve or infused oil is a proven remedy for easing and curing post child-birth scars in the perineum, cystitis and utis following childbirth.

Moreover, arnica can be used to lower the inflammation of the bladder - thus helping it to open up and allow the urine to flow freely. It can help you with pain and help in relaxing the muscles around the area so massaging with arnica salve or arnica infused oil is a great tool for finding relief when you have an uti.

Face, Hair, Scalp, Eyes & Skin - If you suffer from dry skin, eczema, acne scarring, dark eye circles, under eye bags, puffy eyes, puffy face, swollen face, wrinkles - then rest assured arnica oil is your new best friend!

It will also help you with fine lines, blemishes, redness, inflammation and this is because arnica is full of anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidants that are great for skin and hair so you can even use few drops of arnica infused oil on your hair and scalp to promote thicker hair and heal the inflammation on your scalp. Arnica can be used in the form of arnica oil or arnica shampoo or soap bar as these products are available for hair growth. 

So there we have it! 3 powerful ways arnica can help women!

Where To Buy? -

​Find it easily in your local health or herbal or homeopathic store. Western customers can also find it easily in their local Farmer's Market as many have sellers selling pure, organic, high quality herbal items like arnica salve or oil. Homeopathic arnica pills or tablets as well as homeopathic arnica gels are available worldwide in any health store or homeopathic shops. 

How To Use Arnica Safely -

-do not use arnica herb, arnica products or arnica essential oil on open wounds, ulcers or  broken skin

-arnica is not to be used for long-term use as it may irritate or dry the skin

-always use arnica like homeopathic arnica gel or arnica infused oil that has been diluted greatly if needed

-use arnica infused oil as it is diluted well with carrier oils (not essential oil)

-use less as arnica is effective enough and not much is needed

-it dilates blood vessels so again, safest option is to keep homeopathic gel, arnica salve or arnica infused in some carrier oils

-arnica can be taken internally as well but it must be highly diluted as in, homeopathic arnica

-do NOT use the arnica herb internally by itself - homeopathic arnica is the ONLY & safest option

-the actual herb arnica by itself, if consumed, can be toxic to a point of being fatal and can even damage liver

-do NOT use arnica 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery 

-use arnica post-surgery ONLY after consultation with your doctor as it may cause extra bleeding

-arnica reduces the body's ability to form blood clots thus thinning blood and increasing the risk of bleeding

-arnica might cause high blood pressure in some people so always consult your doctor before taking it

-do NOT use arnica if you are allergic to it - test it on a small area of the skin and see if you react or not

-do NOT use arnica if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

-large doses of arnica or undiluted arnica can cause nausea, tremors, dizziness, heart irregularities or rapid heart rate, bleeding, vomiting and respiratory or mucosal distress

-it is best to consult your doctor before taking arnica to avoid any interactions as it may interact with blood thinning drugs and side-effects 

-Somyata

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