Arnica: For the Bruiser in Your Family – by Christine Jambrosic, PDHom

Keeping some first aid homeopathic remedies at home can make life so much easier.  They’re cheap, easy to store and keep for years if stored properly.  Best of all they’re non-toxic and safe for the whole family.  So where do you start?

Arnica is definitely the first remedy for everyone to begin with.  Whether in the backyard, in the gym, at the cottage, or at the playground, it can help for all manner of bumps and bruises.  Arnica’s ability to reduce bleeding, bruising, swelling, pain, shock and recovery time after injuries (sprains, strains, surgery, childbirth, head injuries, dental work or bruises) is well-known.

There are a few indications that will confirm that arnica is the remedy to use.  Generally the pain accompanying the injury is a bruised or aching pain, and the person doesn’t want to be touched (‘I’m fine!”).  This is opposite the state of shock of someone who needs Aconite, who will scream for help.  For injuries take Arnica 6c as soon as possible, repeating every 3 to 4 hours until symptoms begin to subside.

Arnica can also be extremely useful for dental procedures, such as extractions.  Keeping with a 6c potency, take a dose the night before your procedure, another while in the waiting room, again right after your procedure, and then every 3 to 4 hours until symptoms (pain/swelling/bleeding) start to improve.  This may help calm nerves a bit too, for those who get a bit jittery heading in to the dentist.

Moral of the story, keep some arnica with you wherever you go and you’ll be ready for bumps and bruises that life throws your way!