Journal of Plant Medicines: Does Arnica Really Work?

Arnica, both the homeopathic version and the herbal extract, are believed to reduce pain and speed healing. But does Arnica really work?

Arnica montana flowers

This article will review this plant, its traditional use and the scientific research to determine whether Arnica herb or homeopathic compound works or not.

What is Arnica?

Arnica has a number of common names, including “mountain tobacco” or “leopard’s bane.”

The Arnica genus has at least 33 species, though Arnica montana is the primary species that has been used medicinally. Other Arnica species such as A. angustifolia, A. lonchophylla, and A. chamissonis are known to share some of the same biocompounds as A. montana, but Arnica montana has been the species with the most use, history, and research by far.

For the purposes of this article, we will be discussing Arnica montana, as “Arnica.”

Arnica is a perennial herb with bright yellow flowers resembling daisies. It can grow up to about two feet or 60 centimeters in height.

Arnica is native to mountainous regions of Europe and Siberia. In recent times, Arnica has been introduced into some Asian areas.

Arnica thrives in well-drained, acidic soil in meadows, upland pastures, and alpine slopes.

Primary Compounds in Arnica

Arnica contains various active compounds, including sesquiterpene lactones (e.g., helenalin) and short-chain carbonic acid esters.

It also contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, carotenoids, diterpenes, arnidiol, phenolic acids, lignans, oligosaccharides and essential oils according to studies.

Arnica preparations can be made using an extraction method. The flowers of the plant are extracted with ethanol to yield a 1:10 or a 1:5 extract.

Arnica can also be produced as a higher dilution, as a homeopathic remedy. Common homeopathic dilutions are 30X or 200C.

Arnica Traditional Uses

Arnica has a long history of use in traditional European herbal medicine, where it's applied topically as a poultice or cream to relieve pain and inflammation.

It was also used for a number of musculoskeletal diseases including arthritis. It was even used during surgery and in post-surgery.

Indigenous peoples of North America also utilized Arnica for similar purposes. These included treating bruises, sprains, pain, swelling and muscle injuries.

Modern Uses

Over the past two centuries, homeopathic Arnica became a favorite treatment of Western homeopathic medical practitioners. This use of Arnica became the preferred use for decades, and is very popular today.

However, the use of homeopathic Arnica has been challenged in recent years by mainstream medicine. We’ll take a closer look at this with the research below.

Arnica Benefits

Pain Relief: Arnica is known for its analgesic properties, making it effective in alleviating pain associated with bruises, sprains, and muscle soreness.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: It exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation and swelling, particularly when applied topically.

Wound Healing: Arnica has been traditionally used to promote wound healing and reduce the appearance of bruises and scars.

More recently, Arnica has been recognized medically as having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-cancer effects.

Arnica Clinical Research

Arnica Extract

Many studies have investigated Arnica’s healing capacity, both in extract (5% to 20%) form and in homeopathic form. Let’s take a look at Arnica extract first.

Studies have shown that Arnica extract can significantly reduce muscle pain and bruising. In a 2014 study, 20 athletes were tested with and without Arnica extract.

A gel containing an extract equivalent to 10 milligrams per gram was applied to the legs of the runners, or a placebo was applied.

When the extract was applied, the athletes had significant muscle pain relief through 72 hours after their workouts.

In a 2010 study, healthy people used a 20% Arnica extract compound for bruising on the arms. The researchers found the Arnica treatments significantly reduced bruising scores.

Another study tested Arnica 4D (which is 4:10) in a study of 88 patients after surgery. The Arnica group’s pain reduction was equivalent to that experienced by the group given diclofenac sodium medication.

Another study tested Arnica extract (5%) on 31 patients with mouth ulcers and found the extract was effective at pain reduction.

Another study tested 79 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. They put a 5% Arnica extract gel topically on the knee for six weeks. The research found the Arnica gel significantly reduced stiffness and pain, and increased function for the patients.

Homeopathic Arnica

Many other studies have tested homeopathic Arnica, usually 30X or 200C, for pain and healing. Thie studies below utilize homeopathic Arnica in tablets, taken orally.

In a 2006 study, over 300 patients were given 30X Arnica tablets or placebo. Those given the Arnica has less postoperative swelling compared to the placebo group.

In a 2007 study of 190 tonsillectomy patients, those given 30CH Arnica tablets had significantly less pain scores compared to the placebo group.

In a 2020 study of 23 patients, 30X Arnica tablets were given after impacted molar extraction. They were compared to a control group. The research found the Arnica patients had a significant reduction in pain, bleeding, swelling and bruising compared to the control group.

In a 2022 study of 44 children after teeth extraction, Arnica 200C was tested in a crossover study. Each child had two extractions with a 10-day period in between. On one extraction they were each given ibuprofen. On the other, they were given the arnica treatment.

The research found the homeopathic Arnica managed pain similarly to the ibuprofen treatment.

The researchers concluded:

“The results of this study suggest that Arnica may be considered as an alternative to ibuprofen in managing postextraction pain in 8–12-year-old children, especially those with asthma, COPD, or known allergy to ibuprofen.”

A 2021 review of research from Germany’s University of Witten analyzed 23 studies of homeopathic Arnica. They found that Arnica helped prevent hematomas and other problems after surgery, compared to placebo.

Homeopathy has also shown success with allergies and poison oak.

Scientific References

Gaertner K, Baumgartner S, Walach H. Is Homeopathic Arnica Effective for Postoperative Recovery? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled and Active Comparator Trials. Front Surg. 2021 Dec 17;8:680930. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.680930.

Thakur JH, Katre AN. Comparison of the Efficacy of Homeopathic Drug Arnica and Ibuprofen on Postextraction Pain in Children: A Triple-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2022 May-Jun;15(3):332-337. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2379.

Mawardi H, Ghazalh S, Shehatah A, Abdelwahid A, Aljohani A, Felemban O, Almazrooa S, Elbadawi L, Shawky H. Systemic Use of Arnica Montana for the Reduction of Postsurgical Sequels following Extraction of Impacted Mandibular 3rd Molars: A Pilot Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Dec 12;2020:6725175. doi: 10.1155/2020/6725175.

Toma CC, Marrelli M, Puticiu M, Conforti F, Statti G. Effects of Arnica Phytotherapeutic and Homeopathic Formulations on Traumatic Injuries and Inflammatory Conditions: A Systematic Review. Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 4;13(21):3112. doi: 10.3390/plants13213112.

Kriplani P, Guarve K, Baghael US. Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;69(8):925-945. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12724. Epub 2017 Apr 11.

Brinkhaus B, Wilkens JM, Lüdtke R, Hunger J, Witt CM, Willich SN. Homeopathic arnica therapy in patients receiving knee surgery: results of three randomised double-blind trials. Complement Ther Med. 2006 Dec;14(4):237-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2006.04.004.

Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter A. Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial. Adv Ther. 2002 Sep-Oct;19(5):209-18. doi: 10.1007/BF02850361.

Leu S, Havey J, White LE, Martin N, Yoo SS, Rademaker AW, Alam M. Accelerated resolution of laser-induced bruising with topical 20% arnica: a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Sep;163(3):557-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09813.x.

Pumpa KL, Fallon KE, Bensoussan A, Papalia S. The effects of topical Arnica on performance, pain and muscle damage after intense eccentric exercise. Eur J Sport Sci. 2014;14(3):294-300. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2013.829126.

Robertson A, Suryanarayanan R, Banerjee A. Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy analgesia: a randomised placebo control trial. Homeopathy. 2007 Jan;96(1):17-21. doi: 10.1016/j.homp.2006.10.005.