Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Arnica


As far as first aid remedies go, arnica (Arnica Montana) is one of those staples everyone should have, especially those with kids. I keep the 30 c homeopathic pellets, a well as a fast-absorbing gel, in my kit at home. Additionally, I keep trial sizes inside a small clip-on kit I take with us on hikes and camping trips.

Arnica is a yellow-orange flower, similar to the daisy in appearance. It is a native to the mountains of Europe and Siberia, though cultivated in North America. It is commonly prepared in homeopathic formulas and is available in many forms: cream, ointment, liniment, salve, tincture, and tablets.

The beauty of Arnica lies in the fact that it treats a wide variety of conditions, such as bruising, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, rheumatic pain, inflammation and swelling, and other ailments associated with overexertion or trauma. Homeopathic formulas of arnica are also considered safe, even for small children.