Arnica

[pinkposey]

Someone told me to avoid it, yet someone has recommended. Please could someone explain the argument for and against? Thank you!

[Himalaya]

There is homeopathic arnica tablets (i.e. it hasn't got any arnica in it at all) - nothing but a placebo, and then there is herbal arnica cream (has got some arnica in it), you put it on bruises which may have a slightly better than placebo effect.


Which are you thinking of?

[pinkposey]

Ok! I answered my own question with a bit of internet research, that basically that arnica tablets are a placebo, and arnica cream might be too. Anyway, doesn't seem like its for dangerous reasons that its contraversial, so I might as well try (the cream) seeings its been recommended to me, and it is available. Thanks !

[Himalaya]

yes - just don't eat the cream!

[DeWe]

I've used arnica cream and it has seemes to work. Dd1 fell, bumping her head and you could see the bruise forming really quickly. I put arnica cream on thickly and the next day there was a very faint yellow bruise. I only ever used it on "big" bruises so I don't know how well it works on small bumps.
It doesn't stop the hurting though. I found "magic cream" to be more effective on that. That was definitely a placebo effect

[LordOfTheFlies]

I buy the bottles of Arnica gel from QVC (simply beautiful cosmetics)

DS used to get really bad night pains after karate and would wake up crying. Hot bath and arnica gel rub helped alot.
DD applies it to every wound/bruise and swears it helps.(Don't know how much is placebo with her but it helps)

I asked DH to buy me arnica tablets for DC1 birth.They did bu**er all but I discovered he bought me Aconite (for colds!)
Bought my own Arnica tabs for DC2 birth. Helped a bit I think.

[notcitrus]

You can get arnica solution too - next to the castor oil and stuff in old-fashioned chemists, and dead cheap. Seems to help a bit with bruising.

The 'arnica' tablets are exactly as useful as a small tablet of sugar.