Friedmann, Daniel P
Homeopathic Arnica: Smoke and Mirrors
Dermatol Surgery, 2016, 42 (1), 128
Herbal preparations from the European flowering plant Arnica montana have been used for centuries in the treatment of localized areas of trauma. A. montana extracts have recently been shown to display antioxi- dant activity and cytoprotective effects against cellular oxidative damage. True extracts of A. montana may also be valuable for the treatment of postprocedural bruising. A study by Leu and colleagues demonstrated that topical 20% Arnica ointment led to more rapid reductions in bruising than placebo or a combination of 1% vitamin K and 0.3% retinol.