Arnica & How It Helps Your Body Repair Itself After Injury
Whether you use homeopathy or not, chances are you’ve heard of Arnica. It is mainly used for bruising and swelling caused by trauma. You can use it in pellet form or as a cream/gel to apply directly to bruises. It is commonly used in dentistry after having teeth pulled or moved with braces, for surgical patients to help minimize inflammation and bruising post-op, with sports injuries like strains, sprains and sore muscles from over-exertion, and with everyday household accidents like falls, that result in trauma. It is also a wonderful pain reliever!
Knowing that Arnica works is one thing but understanding it is another. In the following peer reviewed study, (Arnica montana Stimulates Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression in a Macrophage Cell Line Differentiated to Wound-Healing Phenotype), which was published Nov. 10, 2016, the researchers conclude the following:
“The results of this work indicate that Arnica m. acts on macrophages by modulating a number of genes and by increasing cell motility. RNA-seq analysis allowed the identification of several genes which are particularly sensitive to ultra-low doses and high dilutions of this plant extract. Molecular analysis of gene expression suggests that a primary action of this medicinal plant is the stimulation of tissue matrix synthesis. These findings provide new insights into wound-associated molecular events and specifically point to macrophage fibronectin production as a potential therapeutic target of Arnica m. for the treatment of wound repair.”
“This evidence suggests a new and relevant property of this plant in wound-healing processes.”
In everyday language, this means that Arnica stimulates tissues to heal. Although this is apparent to anyone that has ever used Arnica, it’s nice to understand a bit of the science behind it.
For a more in-depth look at the study please follow the link to this fascinating article: