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Other common
name(s): arnica root, common arnica, arnica flowers,
mountain arnica, mountain tobacco, leopardsbane, wolfsbane
Scientific/medical
name(s): Arnica montana
Description
Arnica is a perennial herb that grows in Europe, the northern
United States, Canada, and eastern Asia. Its daisy-like flower and
root, or rhizome, are often used in herbal medicines.
Overview
This herbal remedy is used on the skin for wounds, infections,
and inflammation. It also is used to prepare a homeopathic medicine
(see "Homeopathy").
Available scientific evidence does not support most of the claims about
arnica's effectiveness. If the herb is taken by mouth, it can be
poisonous. It has caused a number of serious reactions, including
allergies and at least one death.
How is it promoted for use?
Arnica is promoted for use on the skin to help soothe and heal
wounds, sunburn, bruises, sprains, sore muscles, irritation from
accidental injuries and burns, arthritis, ulcers, acne, eczema, chapped
lips, and irritated nostrils. Arnica contains organic chemicals such as
sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoid glycosides that are claimed to
reduce the swelling, redness, and pain associated with inflammation and
help heal bacterial infections.
The herb is not usually recommended for internal use because
it can irritate the stomach and may result in vomiting, diarrhea, and
nosebleeds. However, some homeopathic practitioners claim that a very
diluted solution can be taken by mouth to treat low-grade fevers,
colds, bronchitis, seasickness, inflammation of the mouth and throat,
and epilepsy.
Germany's Commission E has approved arnica only for external
use in treating injury and effects of accidents, inflammation of the
mouth and throat area, and insect bites. It is considered unsafe for
internal use.
Arnica is an ingredient in some herbal skin care products and
shampoos.
What does it involve?
Arnica is used as a whole or cut herb, powder, tea, liquid,
gel, cream, ointment, oil, tincture, spray, or salve. The herb can be
soaked with water and made into a poultice (a soft, moist mass of
herbs) that is applied directly to the skin. Arnica ointments usually
contain up to 15% of arnica oil or 25% of a tincture of arnica (the
herb mixed with alcohol). Blistering and inflammation may be more
likely to occur if very strong solutions are used on the skin.
Homeopathic liquids reportedly contain little or no actual arnica and
are usually placed under the tongue. Homeopathic tablets are also
reported to contain extremely small or undetectable amounts of arnica,
but the dose may vary.
What is the history behind it?
Herbal medicines made from arnica flowers and roots have been
popular for hundreds of years. It has been said that Goethe drank
arnica tea to relieve chest pains. The leaves were reportedly smoked,
like tobacco. More recently, homeopathic and topical uses have
predominated due to the possible harm in taking the herb by mouth.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support most of the
claims about arnica's effectiveness. In 1998, a review in the Archives
of Surgery of 8 controlled human trials studying the effectiveness of
arnica found that arnica was no more effective in treating injuries
than the placebo with which it was compared. The authors found that the
studies they reviewed had serious flaws in the methods used to evaluate
the effectiveness of arnica. They concluded that the human trials did
not indicate that arnica was helpful or beneficial. One randomized
clinical trial actually found that arnica appeared to increase pain and
cause more swelling than the placebo in patients who had their wisdom
teeth removed.
A 2003 study of 62 patients tested homeopathic arnica to
determine whether it reduced pain and bruising in patients having
surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. There were no differences in pain
or bruising between the arnica and placebo groups.
A double-blind, randomized British study of 37 patients looked
at homeopathic arnica in tablet and ointment form to determine whether
it helped people having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. A week
after surgery, there were no differences in grip strength, wrist
swelling, or pain between the group that was given arnica and the
placebo group. Two weeks after surgery, the group that had arnica
reported somewhat less pain than the other group, although there were
still no differences in grip strength or swelling. Further studies are
needed to find out whether this one difference is due to chance or to
the effects of the arnica.
In 2002, a small Miami study looked at arnica gel to see
whether it would reduce bruising after laser surgery to the face. No
difference in bruising was noted between the patients who used plain
gel and those who used the arnica gel.
In 2006, German researchers analyzed 3 studies on the use of
arnica after knee surgery. Homeopathic arnica was given before and
after surgery in all 3 studies. There were no significant differences
in swelling after surgery between the arnica groups and the placebo
groups in 2 out of 3 of the studies.
A 2007 controlled study looked at homeopathic arnica in
patients who had their tonsils removed. One group received arnica and
the other a placebo. Patients were surveyed afterward, with 111 out of
190 patients returning their questionnaires. The arnica group reported
slightly lower pain levels than the placebo group, although there was
no difference in how much pain medicine they needed, the period of time
before they went back to work, and the number of visits they made to
the doctor afterward. There was also no difference between the groups
in bleeding and infection after surgery.
A toxicology assessment completed in 2001 concluded that there
was not enough safety information on arnica to support allowing its use
in cosmetics.
One 1994 study found that some of the chemicals extracted from
arnica can kill colon and lung cancer cells growing in laboratory
dishes. No follow-up studies in animals or humans have been published
since that time.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
Small, single doses of the herb are considered safe if applied
externally. However, repeated use can cause skin reactions, severe
inflammation, itching, blisters, skin ulcers, and other allergy-related
skin problems. Use of very concentrated herb on the skin can increase
the risk of irritation. Using the drug on broken skin or mucous
membranes can cause irritation and increase the risk of more serious
reactions.
Internal use is not recommended because arnica may cause
vomiting, diarrhea, internal bleeding, rapid heartbeat, muscle
weakness, nervousness, nosebleeds, and coma. At least one death has
been reported. Arnica may reduce the effectiveness of medicines for
high blood pressure and increase the risk of bleeding in people who
take blood-thinning medications. People taking medicines that affect
the heart's rhythm or function may have worse effects if they take
arnica.
People who are allergic to arnica may suffer runny nose,
itching, hives, shortness of breath, and shock. Those with allergies to
sunflowers, marigolds, or chamomile may be more likely to be allergic
to arnica.
Effects on pregnant women and children are not well known.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use this herb.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying
conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Alonso D, Lazarus MC, Baumann L. Effects of topical arnica gel
on post-laser treatment bruises. Dermatol
Surg. 2002;28:686-688.
Arnica. Drug Digest Web site.
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,4075|Arnica,00.html.
Accessed June 4, 2008.
Arnica. PDRhealth Web site.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/altmed/altmed-mono.aspx?contentFileName=ame0009.xml&contentName=Arnica.
Accessed June 4, 2008.
Blumenthal M, ed. The
Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal
Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
Brinkhaus B, Wilkens JM, Lüdtke R, Hunger J. Witt CM,
Willich SN. Homeopathic arnica therapy in patients receiving knee
surgery: results of three randomised double-blind trials. Complement Ther Med.
2006;14:237-246. Epub 2006 Oct 13.
Bown D. New
Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. New York, NY:
DK Publishing Inc; 2001.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Final report on the safety
assessment of Arnica Montana extract and Arnica Montana. Int J Toxicol.
2001;20 Suppl 2:1-11.
Ernst E, Pittler MH. Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a
systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials. Arch Surg.
1998;133:1187-1190.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines.
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Gibson J, Haslam Y, Laurneson L, Newman P, Pitt R, Robins M.
Double-blind trial of arnica in acute trauma patients. Homeopathy.
1991;41:54-55.
Jeffrey SL, Belcher HJ. Use of arnica to relieve pain after
carpal-tunnel release surgery. Altern
Ther Health Med. 2002;8:66-68.
Kaziro GS. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and Arnica Montana in the
prevention of post-surgical complications, a comparative placebo
controlled clinical trial. Br
J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1984;22:42-49.
Medical Economics. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ:
Medical Economics Co; 1998.
Paulsen E, Chistensen LP, Andersen KE. Cosmetics and herbal
remedies with Compositae plant extracts - are they tolerated by
Compositae-allergic patients? Contact
Dermatitis. 2008;58:15-23.
Reider N, Komericki P, Hausen BM, Fritsch P, Aberer W. The
seamy side of natural medicines: contact sensitization to arnica
(Arnica montana L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Contact Dermatitis.
2001;45:269-272.
Robertson A, Suryanarayanan R, Banerjee A. Homeopathic Arnica
montana for post-tonsillectomy analgesia: a randomised placebo control
trial. Homeopathy.
2007;96:17-21.
Stevinson C, Devaraj VS, Fountain-Barber A, Hawkins S, Ernest
E. Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized
placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. J R Soc Med. 2003;96:60-65.
Woerdenbag HJ, Merfort I, Passreiter CM, et al. Cytotoxicity
of flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones from Arnica species against
the GLC4 and the COLO 320 cell lines. Planta Med.
1994;60:434-437.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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