Arnica extract is an excellent treatment for muscles: sprains, strains, stiffness, bruising, swelling and local tenderness. The herb can be used externally as an ointment or internally as a homeopathic remedy. Arnica also has a long history of usage among Native Americans as a major healing plant.

Clinical research has shown the effectiveness of arnica. In 1991 a British study on hospital patients with acute injuries showed that arnica relieved stiffness in 98% of the patients tested. Arnica may have many preventive benefits as well.

Marathoners use the arnica extract before they race to improve their performance and minimizing their pain that can result from muscle sprains or strains, stiffness, or swelling.

You should not take arnica internally unless it is in the proper dilution.

There are a few people who may be sensitive to the compound helenalin that is in arnica. If you develop a mild rash, then you probably are one of those people and should stop using arnica immediately.

Arnica is also known as:
Arnica montana, mountain daisy, leopard's bane, wolf's bane, Mountain tobacco