Traumas and sprains are the nightmare of every athlete and not only: to combat pain and swelling it is possible to count on the effectiveness of a herbal remedy derived from mountain arnica.
Arnica is a plant belonging to the asteraceae family, it grows in hilly and mountainous areas and is widespread in the mountainous area of central Europe, in the Alps and in the Apennines. Its flowers are an intense yellow tending towards orange and flowering takes place in the early summer months. In phytotherapy, different parts of the plant are used: the rhizome, the roots and also the flowers.
It is also called " fall grass " thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Arnica montana to reduce the pain of trauma and sprains
Although its properties have been known since the treatise "De arboris" by the Benedictine nun Hildegarda von Bingen (1098-1179) precisely as a cure for bruises, edema and joint pain, it is only in 1500 that it is mentioned in medical treatises, in particular in the treatise by the German doctor Theodorus Jacobus Von Bergzabern.
Arnica is used topically , on intact skin, in case of bruises, rheumatism, phlebitis, osteoarticular pain, edema due to trauma. It owes its effectiveness to the presence of flavonoids, triterpenes and helenalin which is able to inhibit inflammatory processes.
Arnica: an effective remedy against sprains and bruises thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties
Alongside the anti-inflammatory properties , analgesic and anti-edematous properties must be indicated, i.e. it helps to reduce post-traumatic pain and swelling.
Arnica is essential for those who play sports, it can be used before training with a toning massage to prepare the muscles for effort, or after a particularly intense workout to give a feeling of freshness and lightness, reduce the action of lactic acid , reduce inflammation and soothe soreness due to micro traumas, always possible, for example, during running.
Arnica: better in ointment, gel or spray?
There are various preparations based on arnica : their effectiveness is linked to the concentration of the active ingredient . The higher the concentration, the more effective the preparation will be. The quantity of active ingredient is indicated on the packaging of, for example, gels and ointments, which are two of the possible forms in which arnica is available. In what form is it best to take it? It depends on our preferences, the area to apply it on and the skin type. There are different types of preparation, from mother tincture, gel, ointment, ointment to spray formulations.
Let's see the differences: the mother tincture is a hydroalcoholic extract, it comes in liquid form, in the case of arnica it must not be used pure but diluted 1:5 with water and must not be ingested; the ointment is an oil-based preparation, particularly suitable for dry skin, easy to spread with a minimum water content; the ointment also based on a fatty substance has a higher percentage of water and is well suited to all skin types; in the gel the percentage of liquid agents, usually water, is much higher, resulting in faster absorption and the reduction of any residues. The gel usually returns an immediate sensation of freshness which amplifies the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of arnica. There is also the possibility of using arnica spray preparations. The use of this preparation is particularly easy because it leaves no residue, can be used over bandages, does not compromise on effectiveness, especially if the concentration of the active ingredient is high, and is pleasantly fresh.
A curiosity: arnica is also called mountain tobacco, or Vosges tobacco, because its dried leaves were once used as nose tobacco. Arnica, unless it is in homeopathic preparations, is intended for external use only: we therefore remember to never ingest it.