Do arnica pills, gels, creams, or sprays reduce bruising, pain, or swelling?

I use Dr. Ben Kim's arnica cream for pain in my finger joint and I also used it right away when a heavy jar landed on top of my foot and there wasn't any bruising or pain. It is no longer available but I've stocked up.

Firsthand story - A western acupuncturist and friend were clearing a small beach of debris and logs. A wave pushed one log up and evenly smashed across both her friend’s chins with a lot of force. They decided to use the opportunity to test a tube of Traumeel she carried right then. One shin received the topical arnica cream and one didn’t. She reported to many clients including me that the side that didn’t get the arnica treatment had deep purple bruising and the other had nearly none and healed quickly without soreness.

I too have used Boiron Arnicare cream (7%) to great effect, and to my great surprise. Within ~20 min joint or muscle pain subsides noticeably. I'd brought over a tube of Boiron Arnicare Cream for my elderly parents a few years back, thinking it might help with sundry pains; as far as I know, they didn't try it. Then one night, in severe enough hip and knee pain from longstanding genu valgum that she awoke at 2AM and couldn't sleep, my 91-year-old mother, in desperation, decided to try the cream. The cream resolved her pain -- and this is someone who doesn't like medications in any form and often suffers side effects. She's been using Arnicare for a year now and it works reliably. Inspired by her little experiment, I used it when I had muscle pain after hurting myself in exercise--to my great surprise, within ~20 min the pain was gone. I have used it since for occasional aches and found it to work reliably.

I have used Arnicare by Boiron for over 20 years. I use only topical gel and ointment. I used it for bruising while my plates were severely low and it helped a lot but really only if used preemptively and /or immediately after the insult. It works a bit days after post trauma but not nearly as effective. I use it for muscle and soft tissue pain as well as joint pain. It does help, mostly with muscle and soft tissue pain. It is not like lidocaine or opiates in the reduction of pain, but it is enough, most of the time, and healing rather than masking symptoms. I cleared it with the pharmacist on my transplant team at Mayo Clinic recently (liver transplant due to cancer) and it was approved for me to use, but only for topical use.

I have been using Frost Aid for carpel tunnel from a broken wrist. It seems to work, has arnica Montana as the first ingredient, but many other homeopathic ingredients.

My grandfather was an enthusiastic supporter of homeopathic medicine, so his son-- my dad-- received only homeopathic arnica pills and herbal arnica topical cream for childhood injuries. (My grandfather actually compounded the arnica preparations himself because he wanted to make sure they were good quality). My dad, who lived to 93 and never took prescription anything until his late 80's, swore his dad's arnica preparations worked amazingly well for bruises and sprains he got as a kid.

I used arnica tablets before and ointments after facial surgery to help with bruising and swelling and it certainly seemed to decrease the amt. of bruising and swelling.

I've been using TRelief Arnica+12 Extra Strength cream for knee pain and it seemed to work well. Also I've taken the same TRelief in drops form and it doesn't seem to provide additional relief.

I use arnical gel for bruising. Whenever I bump into something, or get a scratch and bruising all occurs, I put arnica gel on the (uncut) bruised area and the bruise disappears within 2-3 days max.

My wife used arnica gel topically after double jaw surgery where they cut and plated both her maxilla and mandible due to severe malocclusion. She took only ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain and had minimal swelling or bruising.

I found Traumeel cream to help relieve pain and feel it speeds healing on bruises and swelling. I tried the tablets and did not notice any pain relief

I can also attest that Arnica from Boiron has provided me much relief.

I have been using Arnica creams for arthritis in my hands. I have found it gives me as much or more pain relief than other remedies recommended for the same purpose.

I bruised very easily and have used Traumeel cream. It really works for me reducing bruising in record time. If I massage it onto the skin immediately after the bump, it may not get dark at all.

I am in my 70es and grew up in Germany where homeopathy is used a lot, with Arnica Montana being one of them. I been living in the US for decades and have used Arnica for decades in sublingual homeopathic form and gels you rub in. They have worked for me every single time by eliminating bruising after my hip replacement or bumping myself besides easing muscle pain from overuse or from my fibromyalgia.

After advice from a friend, I have come to use arnica after having cosmetic facial filler injections. It helps with bruising and pain. I was glad for this tip.

I have been using The Rub for many years and it is like a miracle. I make sure to always have it with me. It works better than the other arnica products but I dont know why. I have used on major falls, banged my head, twisted ankle, got doctor to put it on while still on the operating table after facial surgery and never any bruising or pain if applied within hours.

My mother breaks out with severe bruises well after mysterious bumps. She's on Plavix/Asprin and I thought the main-stream-brand of Arica Creme/Gel purchased at the pharmacy would work but it didn't.

Also I read about Vitamin K creams, but no luck there.....

Why are blood vessels so fragile when on Asprin/Plavix, and is there a vitamin/mineral deficiency causing this, or what can "Toughen Up" those micro-vessels in the arms/hands?

Hi, I’ve been using a product called ArniCare and it’s amazing. It helps with pain and swelling, at least temporarily. Curious what ConsumerLab thinks.

Arnica cream, and I am talking about one called The Rub, is definitely a miracle product based on many personal experiences of my own. I can’t tell u the number of times I have used it to prevent bruising when I’ve accidentally hit my head, etc. the thing is u have to apply it immediately. I also had my doctor apply it after facial surgery and it reduced bruising greatly.