Arnica: Useful or not?

[Baloonphobia]

My friend is very hot on arnica for everything but as she's also into amber teething beads and tarot readings I'm a bit sceptical about her advice. Is there any evidence it works?

I feel like it helps minimise bruises if I fall/bang into things, but that could me placebo. I haven’t looked at any research on it, something my DM suggested.

I'll have to look it up. I just started thinking about it yesterday. She gave me some to take to hospital to help after I have my baby. I had to go to the doctor yest because of a nasty friction wound on my bump that the doc gave me antibiotic cream for. It's exactly where I'd need to get a section if one was required and he said it needs to go pronto just in case. She was horrified I'd accepted the antibiotics when I had the arnica.

OP Arnica is supposed to help with bruising not as an antibiotic. I'd be wary of listening to anything your friend says without checking proper medical advice!

Arnica shouldn't be used on open wounds.

Actual arnica 10% solution - possibly helps bruising. Certainly smells like a good placebo.
Homeopathic 'arnica' solution - is plain water so will do nothing.

I've used it many times for bruises after rugby whether it works or not who knows, but I wouldn't have used it on any wound follow giving birth.

You are right to use the prescribed antibiotics from the doctor, they are not giving them out easily anymore and would only do so if they really think its necessary.

Okay I’m a nurse and I would say arnica is indeed good at bringing out bruises and therefore improves the healing time of bruises. However it isn’t some wonder cream that can take the place of other medication. It has no antibiotic properties. If you’ve been prescribed something with antibiotics, it’s for a reason.

Thanks everyone. I'm not going to bother with the arnica. Might not tell my friend this though. She tends to treat any disagreement as an opportunity to 'educate' me.