Is Arnica cream right for you and your family? Keep reading to get all of the facts.
These days, there are so many different products, creams, and tinctures out there—how are we supposed to know which ones actually work? Not to mention which ones are safe for use for both parents and children.
As a mother of two very active children, I know how common it is to get scrapes, bruises, and sometimes even sprains due to playing outside, school sports, or any other type of high-energy activity. I even get my fair share of small scrapes and bruises trying to keep up or just being slightly clumsy around the house. I heard about Arnica cream before, but I wanted to do some research before I used it on myself or my children. So, join me as I go over the most important stuff you need to know about Arnica cream, its history, and how it is used safely.
What is Arnica?
Arnica is a herb that has been used to treat bruises, soreness, and other conditions for hundreds of years
Arnica flowers are dried and ground before being added to creams and oils.
If you haven’t already heard of this homeopathic pain reliever, you are probably asking yourself “How does Arnica cream treat pain?” Arnica is a plant that is used for natural healing. It is sometimes referred to as its botanical name—”Arnica montana”—or by its previously used name—Leopard’s Bane. Arnica has been used since around the 1500s mostly as a cream or ointment. The plant itself is toxic if consumed orally by humans. That is why Arnica is most commonly used—and most effective—as a salve, cream, or ointment. I found all of this information exceptionally interesting as I am always looking for home remedies for those little scrapes and bruises. Since Arnica is toxic when consumed orally, I remember to keep the cream on a high shelf or a locked cabinet away from the kids.
How to Use Arnica Cream
Applying Arnica cream is easy and painless
Many people don’t know about the healing properties of Arnica creams.
The process to get pain relief from an Arnica cream is easy. All you have to do is apply the cream to your skin around the area that is bruised or sore. Then, you should very gently massage the cream into your skin. After several uses, you will begin to feel pain relief in the affected area. Over the course of a day, you can apply the Arnica cream up to 3 times.
This application is perfect for little ones. Arnica creams are safe for both children and adults—which is excellent for a family like mine. As far as pain relief goes, my kids would much rather take a topical cream over taking a pill or toughing it out.
What are the Intended Effects of a Topical Arnica Cream?
If used properly, Arnica cream can greatly reduce, swelling, soreness, and bruises
Many people who use Arnica cream begin feeling relief in a few days.
Arnica creams are effective for a number of different minor injuries. Let’s take a look at some of the most common injuries that Arnica has been able to treat for hundreds of years:
Bruises
Sprains
Joint pain
Cuts (only if advised by a professional)
Painful bug bites
Plus, studies also suggest that Arnica cream may even be able to ease pain related to burns. After rubbing the cream on the affected areas of the body, you can expect to start feeling relief after repeated use over the course of a few days. Of course, before you use Arnica for pain relief you should consult with your doctor to make sure that you are treating aches and pains in the best way possible for your body.
Where Does Arnica Come From?
If you’re like me, you want to know where your products come from
These beauties have the power to relieve nagging aches and pains.
Arnica—in addition to being a homeopathic remedy—is also a flower! Arnica gets its medicinal properties from the flower part of the plant. In order to access the healing properties, the flower must be dried, ground, and then added to a tincture or a cream.
It is important to note that you shouldn’t go scavenging for these flowers on your own. It is best to leave it up to the experts since the flower can be toxic depending on its use. You can trust that homeopaths have been using the flower for hundreds of years and are able to add the correct dosage to any Arnica product. The products that contain Arnica are extremely diluted. For example, rubbing the dried flower on your skin could be dangerous—so always look for creams, tinctures, or oils.
How Should I Take Arnica?
Though there are oral and topical options, never take Arnica orally without the advice of a professional
Consult with a professional if you have any questions about Arnica use.
When using Arnica, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to keep yourself—and your family members—completely safe. The first thing to note is that you should never take Arnica orally without the advice of a doctor. There are pills available, but are generally only suggested by professionals for specific ailments. The pills contain an extremely diluted Arnica—so they are safe—but only under close direction.
The more common way to use Arnica for pain relief is by using an Arnica cream. Still, there are still a few things to keep in mind when it comes to administering the cream on yourself or your children. One thing to be aware of is that while there is evidence that Arnica cream can help heal cuts, you should consult with a professional before you apply any Arnica cream to an open wound. It is also suggested that you keep a close eye on the skin around where you are applying the cream over time as prolonged use could cause skin irritation. If you begin to experience skin irritation, then you should stop using the cream immediately and wait for any irritation to clear up.
I know the more I learned about Arnica the more that I was interested in its natural healing properties. While it isn’t for everyone, it is a trusted form of pain relief that is safe for both adults and children. It definitely comes in handy for those bumps and bruises that would otherwise be annoying or even painful. All you have to do is rub a little bit of the cream on the affected area, and pain relief will follow!
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