Treatment Overview

Arnica, also called Arnica montana, is a plant that is native to the mountainous regions of Europe and southern Russia. The flowers and leaves of this plant have many traditional medicinal uses.

Arnica is available as an ointment or gel and can be found in most health food stores.

Why It Is Used

Some people use arnica as a cream or gel for soothing muscle aches and inflammation and for pain from conditions such as breast surgery, mastitis, or hand osteoarthritis. So far, there isn't clear proof from science that using arnica on the skin helps with these or other health problems.

Risks

Arnica is recommended for external use only. Do not put arnica inside your mouth or swallow it. The plant is poisonous and, if swallowed, it can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, cardiac arrest, and death.

Do not use arnica if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use it on open wounds or broken skin. Stop using arnica if you develop a skin rash.

The Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD), within the Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada, regulates natural health products in Canada. Natural health products, including arnica, must be reviewed and approved by the NNHPD before they can be sold in Canada.

Always tell your doctor if you are using a natural health product or if you are thinking about combining one with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a natural health product.