ARNICA FACTS

Indigenous to the mountainous regions of Central Europe, the Arnica plant has been used in homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years, tracing back to the 16th century. The arnica plant is a bright yellow-orange flower that blooms from June through August and extracts from the dried flower heads are used in arnica remedies.

Arnica’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities aid in relieving muscle pain, joint pain, sprains, arthritis pain, wounds, bruising, as well as eczema and burns.

Today, healthcare practitioners from all fields are using arnica, from massage therapists for muscle pain to plastic surgeons for severe inflammation. Additionally, professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts use arnica for prevention and relief of muscle and joint pain.

If used before working out, Arnica helps alleviate strain and soreness by preventing lactic acid from building up  and getting trapped in the muscles.

HOW DOES THE HERB ARNICA AFFECT BRUISING & SWELLING?
Arnica stimulates white blood cells, which in turn disperse trapped and congested blood from muscles, joints and bruised tissue. In addition, Arnica dilates the capillaries, which also increases the flow of blood through the affected area facilitating the body’s natural healing process to take place at the area of trauma.

The active sesquiterene lactones in the plant, specifically helenalin, contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity and the reduction of pain and swelling. Helenalin enters each cell and combines with the molecular complex “nuclear factor kappa beta” (NFKB), which sets off the anti-inflammatory process.