“I can use it directly on the soccer field, within seconds of the trauma, and note the results almost immediately.”
Those were the words of Dr. Jean-Marcel Ferret, team doctor for the FIFA World Cup winning soccer team in 1998 when he mentioned using homeopathy in an interview, saying that homeopathy’s greatest benefit is speed of action. In France, homeopathy is well respected and integrated into the medical system, not only for athletes, but widely, for everything from pregnancy ills to chronic, nagging symptoms. In Europe, homeopathy is trusted by over 100 million people.
Who can benefit?
Whether you’re an athlete, the occasional runner or a mom who likes to have first aid remedies on hand just in case someone in the family is injured, homeopathic Arnica is one of those remedies that can earn the trust of most anyone: it is easy to use and offers quick help for injuries. For my kids growing up, playing soccer, running and biking, Arnica was a staple in the first aid cabinet! Arnica cream was gently slathered on the bumps and bruises while the pills were reserved for those times when the cream was not enough: the black eye, the sprained ankle and even the concussion—luckily a mild one—after a head injury on the soccer field. In fact, it was Arnica that helped the symptoms of a fellow soccer player get back to school after a second concussion wasn’t resolving with symptoms of recurring headaches, sensitivity and trouble focusing. The body already has a remarkable ability to repair itself when given the chance, and homeopathy is fantastic at helping that healing process along, so less time is needed for repair and symptoms just seem to melt away. Even Dr. Oz recommends Arnica for bruises.
Wonders of homeopathic Arnica montana
One of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had with Arnica was when a patient who had come in for a regular constitutional appointment asked me if there was anything homeopathy could do for a large hematoma (pooling of blood) in his hip that developed after a bad fall while riding his bike. It had been two weeks, with several doctor’s visits, anti-inflammatories and even massage, all with no resolution. Within two days of giving Arnica, the blood clot disappeared, much to everyone’s surprise. It is truly amazing to witness the body’s ability to repair itself so quickly with the help of a few doses of homeopathic Arnica. Of course homeopathy can only work with the body and cannot replace the care needed during an emergency visit or when a diagnosis is needed.
Scientific studies in support of homeopathy for injury
Remember Arnica for any injury when the tissues are sore, achy, swollen and inflamed. Think of it for all injuries, for instance after a marathon run if you can’t move the next day. A double blind placebo controlled study on 82 marathon runners showed an improvement in muscle soreness after Arnica D30. This wonderful natural medicine also facilitates tissue healing after surgery, as evidenced by a study published in the journal, Archives for Facial Plastic Surgery, which showed significant improvement in bruising in a group given homeopathic Arnica compared to an untreated group given placebo instead. Another study, published in the American Journal of Therapeutics in 2016, on the Effectiveness and Safety of Arnica in surgery and for controlling inflammation suggested that homeopathic Arnica could be an alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, at least when treating some specific conditions. In the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, a double blind placebo controlled study concluded a significant improvement from homeopathic treatment for concussion, however, for any such injury, it is recommended to visit a homeopath for best management of remedies, as Arnica may be the first, but not the only remedy for brain trauma.
Recommended dosages for homeopathic remedies:
For general home use, Arnica 30ch is the perfect strength since it works quickly and can be repeated as needed. For most injuries, take 5 pills three times daily or as directed on the label for three days and then as needed. The golden rule in homeopathy is once the symptoms improve, take the remedy less often. For lingering symptoms, repeat daily, every second day or twice a week, depending on the intensity of symptoms. In homeopathy, it’s recommended to take less rather than more. The pills should be taken separately from food–they taste pleasantly sweet and dissolve easily on the tongue. This 30ch potency is widely available and can be found at any health food store, natural health pharmacy or grocery store natural health section. For bruises and bumps, Arnica cream is the better choice, although avoid it on cuts, where Calendula cream is best.
When to follow with additional homeopathic remedies
If symptoms do not resolve after taking Arnica, this indicates that either the injury is more severe than expected and should be reassessed by a doctor—or another remedy is needed to complete the repair, such as Bryonia 30ch or Rhus toxicodendron 30ch, for instance, depending on the symptoms. Homeopathy always works best when selected according to the specific symptoms a person experiences, so for additional remedies, visit your local homeopath, pick up a book or attend a workshop on Homeopathy for First Aid.