Arnica to prevent <br> bruising before procedures (2024)

FAQs

Does arnica really work to prevent bruising? ›

So the take home message would be: Yes, arnica may help minimize bruising seen in the first week post injection, but by day 10, there is not really much difference in bruising whether you take the arnica or not. So the choice is yours, if you have a tendency to bruise quite a bit, then this may be an option.

Yes arnica needs to be taken about 2 days prior surgery to help you reduce swelling and bruising. It really works, I do prescribe them to my patients.

Arnica is a very well known homeopathic remedy that topically is used to help reduce bruising. With respect to the tablet form, we advise against using this before surgery. Through our experience, we found more bruising and bleeding in patients undergoing surgery, who had taken arnica tablets prior to their surgery.

We may not fully understand arnica, but we do know that it relieves pain when applied to the skin. In fact, a 2007 study suggested it works just as well for hand osteoarthritis as topical NSAIDs. “Arnica is very similar in how it works and functions to diclofenac and ibuprofen,” Dr. Price says.

How to Use: The recommended usage is to take 5 pellets of Boiron Arnica three times a day, beginning two days prior to your procedure. You can continue taking arnica until your symptoms improve up to a week after the procedure.

Because homeopathic medicines not as strong when the concentration of the active ingredient is lower, 6X, 12X, and 30X medicines are considered relatively low potency. Those labeled 30C or 200C are considered high potency.

For Arnica Montana, take 4 pills, 4 times per day. You should begin taking them approximately 4 days prior to surgery and then discontinue taking them 4 days after surgery. If you forgot to take them and it is now the day before your surgery, you don't have to worry – just start taking them today.

Directions: Start taking the Arnica pills 5 days prior to your surgery. You will put 5 under your tongue to dissolve 3 times a day: morning/mid- day/evening (a total of 15), and continue taking the Arnica Montana pills for a week after surgery, or longer if you still have swelling and bruising.

Please avoid taking any herbal remedies before the operation that contain arnica or St Johns Wort which can lead to thinning of the blood and more bleeding during the operation.

Arnica should not be used on broken skin, such as leg ulcers. In one study, researchers found that arnica used topically increased leg pain 24 hours after participants performed calf exercises. Also, people who are hypersensitive or allergic to the herb should avoid it.

What can I take to prevent bruising before surgery? ›

Bromelain Supplement (pineapple extract) is available at drug and health food stores and greatly reduces bruising and swelling. Take 500 mg twice daily for one week prior to surgery and for two weeks after surgery.

The alpine plant Arnica montana is recommended by homeopathic practitioners for treating injuries on account of its alleged ability to control bruising, reduce swelling and promote recovery¹. Homeopathic arnica is popular with patients undergoing surgery, who hope it will reduce postoperative complications.

These low-dose arnica tablets have been studied for muscle pain, diabetic eye damage, and swelling and pain after surgery. More research needs to be done to establish effectiveness for those problems. Because of the risks of pure arnica, the FDA classifies it as an unsafe herb.

Because of its ability to prevent clots from forming, Arnica should not be taken with other medications or herbal products that can thin the blood like aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, enoxaparin, apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, ginger, garlic, or ginseng, to name a few.

Arnica can also trigger increases in blood pressure and heart rate. This is more likely if used in excess or on broken skin. 2 More of the active ingredient can be absorbed through broken skin.

2 When it's applied on a fresh bruise, the swelling, pain, and discoloration are diminished within a few hours. For best results, apply an arnica gel 3–4 times a day on the affected area, or try taking it orally in pill form such as Hyland's Arnica Montana tablets ($6).

Conclusions: Topical 20% arnica ointment may be able to reduce bruising more effectively than placebo and more effectively than low-concentration vitamin K formulations, such as 1% vitamin K with 0·3% retinol.

The reason arnica works is because, like many plants, it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, says Anderson. When arnica cream or arnica gel is applied, it stimulates circulation, helping the body's own healing system react—which encourages some speedy relief.

Bromelain Supplement (pineapple extract) is available at drug and health food stores and greatly reduces bruising and swelling. Take 500 mg twice daily for one week prior to surgery and for two weeks after surgery.