The Benefits Of Topical & Homeopathic Arnica In First Aid Usage & For Concussions
- Jan 12, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Ida is a certified aesthetician (graduate of Marvel School of Beauty), offering home-based services since 1994. Ida provides various holistic services. She graduated from Zanqara’s Skin Care’s Dermatician course in 1994, which required her to understand homeopathic remedies.
Arnica Montana is a perennial flowering herb in the sunflower family whose extract is in gels, creams, tinctures, massage oils, tablet forms, and homeopathic remedies.
Topical first aid usages of Arnica
Arnica is commonly used on the skin to temporarily ease pain and swelling from minor bruises, sprains, muscle aches, and insect bites. In herbal medicine, it is also traditionally used to help relieve joint pain associated with mild osteoarthritis.
Homeopathic Arnica
To understand why this plant is so heavily relied upon in moments of sudden physical stress, it helps to look at how it operates. In homeopathic medicine, Arnica Montana is prepared through a specific process of sequential dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking), which makes homeopathic Arnica more potent than Arnica in its herbal form. This method is recognized in traditional practices for addressing minor bruising, swelling, and soreness from impacts. Botanically, the plant contains constituents like sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids, which are studied for their role in temporary pain management and localized, minor inflammation. Within traditional homeopathic philosophy, administering Arnica immediately after an impact is thought to signal the body's vital force – its natural self-healing mechanism – prompting a swift, defensive response to counter physical shock before localized trauma settles into deeper tissue discomfort.
A personal testimony
In late December of 2016, my husband had qualified for the Boston Marathon, and while doing a training run, he slipped on a wet, slippery surface and fell, hitting his head on the ground quite hard. The fall rendered him temporarily unconscious, and when he awoke, he was blinded in one eye by a damaged optic nerve from the impact (see Part Two at the end of this article), and the left side of his face was left bleeding, bruised, and swollen. He found his way home alone, 3.5 km in the dark and slumped into the nearest chair. After finishing my last appointment with a client, I was horrified to find him in such a shocking condition. Still, I immediately grabbed some Arnica gel, applied it to the swollen areas on his face, and gave him a homeopathic Arnica Tablet to take internally. Knowing that he needed medical attention because he was also coughing up blood, I took him to the nearest hospital; a CAT Scan thankfully confirmed that the internal bleeding had stopped, but the doctors also believed that he had developed a concussion from his fall.
They also x-rayed him to discover he had cracked his skull, and a tiny bone pierced his left optical nerve, which caused his blindness.
His face was still swollen when the hospital released him three days later. Still, when he returned home, I continued giving him Homeopathic Arnica tablets four times daily until the swelling resolved itself. Everyone was surprised when, a week later, the visible swelling on his face had completely resolved. While immediate emergency medical care and clinical oversight were absolutely vital to ensure his safety, I was incredibly grateful to witness how beautifully his body responded to the combination of rest and traditional homeopathic support during those first critical days.
His doctor recommended physiotherapy treatment, and although my husband was reluctant to seek this kind of treatment at first, he eventually did. After only six sessions, the physiotherapist felt he no longer needed to continue since his physical recovery was fast. The physiotherapist had recommended lots of rest (which wasn’t an issue since my husband felt the need to sleep a lot), a reduction in his exposure to electronics, as well as an avoidance of alcoholic drinks since she stressed that alcohol would destroy the very brain cells that he desperately needed to rebuild. Before he saw the physiotherapist, my husband had had only one drink to celebrate New Year’s Eve that year, which only served to make him feel dizzy and off-balance, which proved her recommendation.
In early January of 2017, only two weeks after the doctors diagnosed my husband’s concussion. A friend notified me about attending an upcoming seminar on how to help concussion sufferers. The speaker had quite a bit of experience with many athletes who had suffered concussions during their careers, and she informed us that the human brain is nearly 60 % fat. As a result, healthy fats stimulate neurogenesis - the growth and development of nervous tissue. She further stated that the remaining 40% of the human brain combines water, protein, carbohydrates and salts and that for concussion sufferers, it was essential to begin a healthy diet with high amounts of healthy fats such as omega-3s, coconut oil, olive oil, salmon, sardines, avocados. She also stressed the importance of including the supplement Astaxanthin, one of the most potent antioxidants found in nature (See Part Two of this article to find out more about Astaxanthin). Aside from the use of Arnica Montana, this information was also vital in terms of the dietary supplementary needs for anyone who had suffered a concussion for maximum results, and it equipped me with more critical knowledge on how to help my husband recover from his concussion.
By March 2017, an appointment with my husband’s family physician confirmed how fortunate my husband was to have healed so quickly and so well, and he reminded him that the consequences of the accident could have been far worse. Amazingly, my husband recovered to the extent of returning full-time to his business as a beekeeper (Honey Farmer) — only three months after his accident and concussion diagnosis. Later, I wondered, if I hadn’t utilized the topical and Homeopathic Arnica in the first place, how his recovery would have been, even though he had met his dietary and physical needs.
Upon further study, I discovered that Arnica Montana is the most frequently used homeopathic medicine for concussions. People who receive Arnica at the beginning of a concussion do not have the long-term side effects of a concussion. Its use can even take the place of surgery, which is required to relieve excessive swelling that can cause further harm to the brain and the eyes. It is helpful for any trauma with bruising, swelling, or pain because it is a vasoconstrictor which constricts/narrows the blood vessels and helps to speed up the circulation. It contains many inflammation-fighting plant compounds, such as sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. As such, it’s believed to help with pain management.
Conclusion
In my work, I’ve heard many stories from clients concerning their experiences and the aftermath of a concussion; even some with less traumatic injuries than my husband had and who also received rehabilitation still had worse outcomes. The consequences and long-term effects of their concussions took their livelihoods away for years or longer.
My husband was fortunate that he didn’t have to worry about any precautions, interactions, and the like associated with Arnica (as listed at the end of this article). I am grateful that he didn’t have any of the long-term side effects that accompany some of those who have had concussions. A year after his accident, he was able to start having the occasional alcoholic drink, and his running coach stated that his balance was also excellent. After qualifying a second time for the Boston Marathon after his concussion in 2018, I am happy to report that he could participate in the 2019 Boston Marathon with a well-clocked time!
For part two of this article, click here
Arnica Montana precautions
Do not apply Arnica to broken skin because the body will absorb it.
The flower Arnica is a flavour ingredient in beverages, candy, baked goods, and other foods. It can be poisonous when consumed in more significant amounts.
Interactions with medications
Do not use Arnica with blood-thinning and slow-clotting drugs like anticoagulants or antiplatelets because of its ability to prevent clots from forming. Arnica is a photosensitive substance. Pure arnica tincture can be unsafe when taken by mouth.
Pregnancy & breast-feeding
Do not take Arnica tincture by mouth or apply it to the skin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it is considered unsafe.
Allergy to ragweed & related plants
Do not take Arnica if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies. Check with your healthcare provider before applying Arnica to your skin. Do not take Arnica by mouth.
Surgery
Stop using Arnica at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery, as it may affect blood clotting. Always consult your healthcare practitioner or surgeon before using oral or topical arnica after any surgical or dental procedures.
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Ida Fanelli, Aesthetician, Reflexologist & IPL & Dolphin MPS Technician
Ida is a dedicated wellness professional and certified aesthetician (Marvel School of Beauty), providing personalized, home-based services since 1994. A certified reflexologist since 1993 (D'Arcy Lane Institute), she has integrated energy therapies and Ion Cleanse foot wellness sessions since 1998. In 2012, she became a certified Sharplight IPL Technician for skin rejuvenation and pigmentation correction, and in 2019 earned a specialized certification from the Center for Pain and Stress Research, using the Dolphin Neurostim system for Microcurrent Point Stimulation to support scar tissue release, skin rejuvenation, and pigmentation lightening. Ida is deeply committed to continuing education in complementary health to provide accessible, high-quality care. She also brings 12 years of experience as a hospital laboratory technologist in Microbiology and Biochemistry to her meticulous practice.
Important Consumer Notice Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical diagnosis, therapy, or targeted treatment. If you suspect you have a chronic condition or need specialized treatment, please consult a licensed naturopath or physician immediately to seek professional medical guidance.
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