Arnica - got a few questions

[soppypreggyloon]

Am hoping to have an elcs for dc2 in April. I've heard everyone on here raving about arnica and how it helps healing but I have a few questions...

What dose do I need?
Do I take it before or after elcs?
How long do you take it for?
Can you take it and still bf?
Will it interact with any of the drugs you are likely to be given?

TIA :)

not 'everyone on here'!
if you are talking about homeopathic arnica, then actually quite a lot of people think it is nonsense.
yes, you can take it while bf and no it won't interact with anything else you are taking - it is basically sugar pills.

you do often hear people on here say 'I used arnica and I healed really easily and quickly' as if that proves it - well I didn't use arnica and I also healed easily and quickly, as people generally do given that we live in an environment where it is easy to keep stitches clean....

You can also get Arnica in the form of a cream. Although I'm not sure if it's suitable to be applied to stitches/wounds - think it's more for bruises.

Sorry I just wanted some advice. I am well aware that homeopathy is not assessed as to it's efficacy in the same way as conventional drugs and given a choice I would always choose the drugs first.
All I want to do is maximise my chance of a speedy recovery as I have a lively toddler too this time. If the arnica helps - great! If not then what have I lost?

Cheers NSPM - i've used the cream for bruises but I'm sure it's a no go for wounds. It definitely got rid of bruises quickly before my wedding. :)

I used it after DS2 and DD and found I healed a lot quicker than after DS1, I think it also helped the bleeding stop sooner to, obviously healing from the inside to. That said I had natural delivery with all three so can't comment on c-sect or reaction with other drugs other than labetalol (hypertension medication) and that was fine. I had 1st deg tear with DS1 - took 6 weeks to heal and stop bleeding. DS2 - 2nd deg tear and stiches inside and out - healed in a week and stopped bleeding at 4 weeks. DD - identical to DS2.

You need to take the pillules, you can by them from Boots in the vitamin section usually, take 2 every hour immediately after birth then I think its two every four hours for 5 days, you'd have to check that on the container though. Cost about £5 for a packet I think, worth it though in my opinion.

Good Luck and HTH

Not sure if it works but I will be giving it a try for my elcs next wed. I cought them from the alternative health section from boots. Get strength 30c. I bought arnica cream and tea tree oil as 3 for 2 offer on.

FWIW, I did take the Arnica pills too. Don't really care whether people think homeopathy works or not, my doula recommended taking them and I healed quickly. So it cost me a few quid? So what!

Also try Tea Tree oil in your bath.

Arnica gel would usually actually contain Arnica as an active ingredient. It's toxic to digest and shouldn't be applied to broken skin, but may well help if applied to your tummy above your wound.

With homeopathic Arnica, there are no active ingredients (it contains no Arnica) so you can't overdose and any benefit will be from doing something to help yourself (placebo effect) rather than what it actually does. Therefore I'd say take whatever dose you find easy at whatever "strength" is most easily available.

Good wound care and getting carefully active will make a huge difference to your recovery. Sterile saline and tea tree oil are useful for bathing your wound IME. With a newborn I couldn't shower every day but wiping my wound clean with saline on a cotton wool pad with a few drops of tea tree seemed to really help.

Pharmacist friend recommends the 6c dose in the case of surgery.

I know the cream contains the active ingredient Arnica Montana, I'm planning to use that. I'm not sure about the tablets because the active ingredient is so dilute and I think it has to be because it's toxic to digest (but not to apply as a cream).

I'm planning to use the cream, which I think is 0.9% active ingredient, similar in strength to OTC hydrocortisone.

Don't know about you but i think a fresh incision scar/ wound is so bleurgh I would have to be paid serious £££ to touch it!
I couldn't even look at mine when the midwives made me first time round! And it was a pretty neat one if my scar is anything to go by!

Talk to Helios as their phonelines are manned by friendly and helpful trained homeopaths. My homeopath reccommended Bellis Perennis for my c section, and Arnica for the bruising. I wouldn't use cream directly on scar until better healed personally.

www.helios.co.uk/

Do not, not, NOT use arnica cream on broken skin. Take the pillules. I agree with carlyvita, give helios a ring. They're absolutely brilliant, will really take their time with you and are not in it for what they can sell you. (Used to run a natural health clinic, and sold their remedies for some years.)

If this is the type of medicine you're interested in, then I found the Nelsons Hypercal cream utterly brilliant for wound healing on my bits. You can use Arnica as well.

Also, Neal's Yard do a fabulous Seaweed and Arnica foam bath which is just the business for a post-birth bath while someone looks after your little one. Bliss yourself out afterwards..

Sorry, should have said, 'you can TAKE arnica as well.' Please use arnica cream with great caution.. also don't splash Tea Tree on your bits. A few drops in a full bath is unlikely to hurt, but though many people use it neat, it can cause contact dermatitis etc if chucked about.

Enjoy your recovery!!