Here in the sunny south the weather is just nice enough to finally get out and do all those projects I’ve been putting off when the weather was too hot. If you’ve ever overdone it on a project (like me), vacation excursion (I’m too busy having fun to notice how much I’m hurting), or when participating in a sporting event, you’ll want to read on.
The drug store is full of rubs, creams, pills, and gagets that will help soothe your back, neck, arms, legs, or whatever is aching you. You can spend a small fortune just looking for something that will help you. However, I’ve found one product that works for just about everything — and for a lot less money. What is this miracle cure? Arnica.
Arnica is a lovely flowering plant that grows in America and Europe. It has been used medicinally for over 500 years to treat the pain and swelling of bruises, sprains, muscle and joint aches. It is generally used topically as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, tincture, or jell. I have also seen some chewable tables containing arnica, but it should only be taken internally if it is extremely diluted.
I have found arnica to be very effective at providing relief for inflammation due to insect bites (we do have a lot of mosquitoes here!) and for stiff, inflamed joints. If I get a cramp, rubbing arnica on it will stop that cramp in less than a minute! There isn’t anything I’ve ever tried that can cure a cramp like arnica.
You should know that arnica is a member of the aster family and may cause allergic reactions in anyone who is bothered by ragweed or other similar flowering plants. Pregnant women should not used arnica as there is a very slight chance that it might trgger uterine contractions.
Here are some great sites for more information:
I purchase mine at the local health food store. You can also find many sources for arnica products on the internet. I know that it is one product I wouldn’t want to run out of.
