Arnica ointment
definition
arnica is a plant that grows to about 60 cm high and can be found on mountain meadows all over Europe. In the botanical nomenclature it is also called Arnica montana designated. It has been used successfully in alternative medicine for centuries.
Today it is specifically cultivated for medical occasions and appropriate drugs are made from it. For the manufacturing process, the Arnica flowers used. In addition to the dosage form as an ointment, it can also be used as part of the homeopathy as Globules be taken.
indication
Arnica is mainly used in the Treatment of sprains and bruises. Mostly after minor accidents, after falls or after bumping the knee, e.g. Arnica ointment is particularly effective pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. After great athletic exertion and after aching arnica ointment is also often used. Against Insect bites Arnica often helps with its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
In a dosage form other than an ointment, e.g. Arnica is also used as globules in the relief and Treatment of inflammatory changes in the gums used. Inflammation of the gums after a dental procedure (tooth extraction) can often be treated well. The sometimes occurring Canker sores, the cause of which is not known and which can also lead to severe pain due to the accompanying ulceration of the oral mucosa, can also be successfully treated with arnica. For this, however, no ointment should be used, but rather mouthwashes.
effect
arnica works in three different ways. For one thing, it works pain reliever and is anti-inflammatoryFurthermore, a decongestant effect can be observed in inflamed or overused joints. The main reason for these effects is in a component of arnica, the so-called Sesquiterpene lactones This group of ingredients also includes Helenalin. This substance probably causes an inhibition of Cytokines in the tissues, which are the main causes of inflammation. With the inhibition of the cytokines, an inflammatory reaction is reduced or heals completely. The same applies to the Pain stimuluswhich is not so pronounced as a result.
Side effects
Despite being well tolerated, the use of arnica ointment can also lead to some side effects. The side effects are usually extremely rare, but must be taken into account. After applying arnica ointment it can become one Dehydration of the skin come. This can then become a Scaling lead or to one uncomfortable skin feeling. In most cases, these drying effects of the skin only appear after use for several days.
Furthermore, it can be too allergic reactions come under the application of arnica. This makes itself felt by a sudden Reddening of the skin and through itch or Scratch noticeable (please refer Skin itches). Very rarely, even the smallest skin pustules can become visible. It can too Wheal-like structures in the area of the application site, which are a typical signal for an allergic reaction. If the skin becomes red after applying the arnica ointment, further treatment with arnica should be avoided.
The allergy triggers in the skin area are mainly the so-called Daisy family, which also include the arnica plant. Since this is a mostly systemic allergy in the whole body, the use of arnica in other dosage forms should also be avoided. Even the very diluted globules of homeopathy should not be used. Arnica cannot be overdosed in the form of ointments or globules. As a tablet, however, it should only be taken within the framework of the prescribed maximum dosage, otherwise symptoms of poisoning can even occur. Signs of poisoning can include: nausea, Vomit, a headache, Body aches, malaise, chills, fatigue and Cloudiness. Furthermore, indicate a fast pulse and a irregular pulse on a poisoning (Intoxication).
High-dose arnica ointment
Arnica should be used as an ointment 2-3 times massaged into the painful area of the skin. Overdosing is practically impossible because too little active ingredient enters the body through the skin. In order to get a quick and effective effect of the drug, either normally dosed ointments can be applied 1-3 times a day or highly concentrated ointments with arnica Once a day. With strong Inflammation, Redness and or Swelling the ointment should rather be used in a highly concentrated manner if there is no allergy to arnica.
High-dose ointment preparations can lead to a stronger skin reaction than less concentrated ones. So it must be expected that Pustules, Wheals or Redness or. itch occur to a much greater extent with high-dose ointments than with lower-dose ointments.
As a tablet, arnica can even be used Symptoms of intoxication lead that is in nausea, Vomit, Tremble, a headache, fever or even in Racing heart or Cardiac arrhythmias can express.
Arnica in pregnancy
Arnica is used in pregnancy due to the lack of studies do not apply. In the form of ointments, it is not assumed that the child has a teratogenic effect, but for safety reasons only low-dose ointments should be used or these ointments should only be applied once a day.
On taking arnica in the form of Tablets should can be completely dispensed with. An improvement of the symptoms should be expected after an application of approx. 3-5 days. If there is no improvement or even an increase in the redness, swelling or inflammatory reactions, a doctor should be consulted and the cause of the symptoms should be checked.
Arnica in the child
Arnica ointment for children is safe to use. But it should rather low-dose ointments be used. In small children and infants, however, possible allergic skin reactions with reddening and the formation of pustules and wheals should be considered. On average, infants respond more quickly to arnica ointment than older children. If pustules or wheals develop, you have to wait until the ointment has worn off. A decrease in skin reaction can be expected around 2-3 hours after application.
Make your own arnica ointment
Arnica ointment is available in every pharmacy, but you can also make it yourself. For this you should have a ¾ cup of dried arnica flowers Pour into a wide glass and Coconut oil such as Vitamin E oil pour over. The flowers must be completely covered and immersed. 12-24 hours the container must now in a slow cooker. Something Cayenne pepper should be admitted at this time. Every now and then you should stir the brew. When all the flowers are soaked with the coconut oil, you can take the container out of the cooker, stir vigorously again and then cover it and let it cool down.
After rinsing, the liquid should be strained through a linen cloth. After that should ½ cup of beeswax be added and again the entire mixture is gently warmed on the stove until the wax has melted. The mixture can then be poured into a vessel and cooled completely. As it cools down, the consistency turns into an ointment and can then be used.
