The Effects of Arnica Montana Gel for the Decreasing on the Swelling and Bruise

Lee, Jong Hoon; Kim, Dong Kyu; Lee, Won Mi; Lee, Seung Jae; Hong, Seong Hee

Abstract

Homeopathic medicine is becoming increasingly popular in this country and abroad. Arnica montana has been known since the 16th century as an acute topical treatment of sprains, bruises, painful swellings, and wounds. Although arnica has a long history in folk medicine and is widely used, efficacy in a decreasing of swelling and bruise has never been clinically studied. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of an Arnica montana gel, applied the twice daily, in 15 patients(6 men and 9 women) who had trauma with swelling and bruise without external wound of the face from April of 2006 through December of 2006. The trauma with swelling and bruise was made on the dorsum of the rat, and then applied the twice daily for 1 week divided in control site and arnica-applied site on the dorsum. On the patients' subjective assessment of efficacy, 15 patients felt an effect in 1 week, and time to onset of effect averaged 2.8 days. On the experimental study of efficacy, microscopic finding of control site showed the dermis is mildly widened interstitial spaces, the interstitial fluid is mildly increased, but arnica-applied site showed the interstitial edema is not evident, the dermal collagen fibers are relatively well preserved. Topical application of Arnica montana gel for 1 week was a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment of swelling and bruise of the face.