Arnica medicinal uses have been around since the 1500's and is still used to this day. Applied to the skin, arnica has been used for soothing achy muscles, reducing inflammation, and healing wounds. It is commonly used for sprains and bruises. Arnica creams and gels may be beneficial, but — just like over-the-counter pain medications — they’re not for everybody. You shouldn’t use arnica if: You’re allergic to plants in the Asteraceae and Compositae families. If you’re allergic to ragweed, sunflowers, marigolds, chrysanthemums or daisies, there’s a good chance you’re allergic to arnica, too. You take corticosteroids, blood pressure medication, anticoagulants or certain herbal supplements. Arnica has over 150 bioactive components, so it’s little wonder that it doesn’t play nicely with all medications. Doctors prescribe corticosteroids for inflammation, so unless yours gives you the all-clear, you should avoid doubling up. If your doctor is treating you for high blood pressure, arnica is a no-go: It could make your medication less effective. It’s similarly important to avoid arnica if you’re taking a blood thinner like heparin because the herb can further thin your blood. Arnica can also interact with herbal supplements like ginger, ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, garlic and saw palmetto. You have a blood disorder. Folks living with a bleeding or clotting disorder like hemophilia should steer clear of arnica, as it could make your condition worse. You’re about to have, or recently had, surgery. Because arnica can thin your blood, doctors recommend you stop using arnica at least two weeks before undergoing surgery and stay off it until your surgeon gives you the all-clear. Your skin is broken. While there are researchers actively working to determine if arnica might be useful for post-surgical incisions, we don’t yet know what (besides stinging) would happen if a gel or cream preparation were to get under one’s skin. Given the herb’s poisonous nature, it’s best to avoid using it on broken skin, whether it be from a wound or a dermatological condition like eczema or psoriasis. You’re pregnant or breastfeeding. While arnica has clear pain-relieving properties, as we’ve emphasized, there’s also a lot about it that we still don’t know. For that reason, it’s important that you don’t use arnica if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding Babies and children. DO NOT trust what you read on homeopathy websites about the benefits of arnica for babies and children. If you discover that your kid’s gotten into an arnica product, you should contact poison control immediately. MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. I am not a doctor. Do not use if pregnant, nursing or taking medication without consulting a doctor.
