Can you take too much Arnica?

Keep reading. Because the answer is “yes,” and you need to use it judiciously.

However, don’t let this scare you away from Arnica.

Arnica is probably the best known homeopathic remedy.

It’s typically used for bruises, sprains and injuries. As long as there’s no external bleeding.

If I fell off a ladder, Arnica to the rescue.

If I sprained my ankle, Arnica is the first remedy I’d consider.

I remember a professional homeopath saying that every household should have arnica on hand. To use for emergencies.

(This doesn’t mean you neglect appropriate medical care. It means you can take arnica on your way to the ER, if your injury requires medical attention.)

We’ve had arnica in the house for years. Ever since my children were little. Am I ever grateful we had it on hand.

Now we have a young puppy at home. Arnica is back in the kitchen cabinet, just in case he gets hurt.

(Dogs respond very well to homeopathy.)

Hopefully, our puppy will never need Arnica. But it’s nice to know we have it, just in case.

If I were building my natural medicine cabinet from scratch, Arnica montana would be the first thing I buy.

Can You Take Too Much Arnica?

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I have immense respect for Arnica.

Used properly, it can support your body through the healing process.

Professional homeopaths believe that Arnica reduces healing time and lessens the likelihood of complications.

I agree with this assessment.

However, I need to stress that I’m not a medical professional or a professional homeopath.

Instead, I’ve been using homeopathic remedies since my children were little.

I am in awe of their power.

Which means I use Arnica carefully.

Like any other homeopathic remedy, too much Arnica can INCREASE your symptoms.

That means taking too many doses can intensify the feelings of bruising.

I know this seems incredible.

But that’s what happened to me. When I took at least one dose more than necessary.

My injury was a hurt elbow. This happened while walking in our neighborhood.

I immediately took a dose of Arnica and started to feel better. My mistake was taking the second and third doses.

My arm swelled up much larger than the injury warranted.

It took another remedy (an antidote) to bring the swelling down.

Arnica is a wonderful emergency remedy. But in my experience you can take too much. So user beware.

What Happens If You Take Too Much Arnica?

On the one hand I’m happy that homeopathic remedies are widely available. You can find them in health food stores and also online.

But I also worry that many users are not aware that homeopathic remedies have a downside.

Remedies can intensify the same symptoms you’re trying to get rid of. If you use them too liberally.

Professional homeopaths refer to this phenomenon as a “proving.”

Provings can and do happen.

The concept of “provings” is how we know the effect of individual remedies.

This knowledge has been gleaned by giving more doses than necessary to human “provers,” and then recording their symptoms.

So in my non professional opinion, it’s wise to ignore anyone who tells you to take Arnica or any homeopathic remedy repeatedly, without assessing the impact.

The best advice I ever received was to take just one dose of a particular remedy. Wait and see what happens. Let the healing begin. Don’t repeat the dose unless you see original symptoms return. Don’t succumb to the temptation to take repeated doses, in an effort to make the original dose work better.

Why You Can’t Take Too Much Arnica

Homeopathic arnica is often included in natural pain relief formulas. It may be combined with herbs and other homeopathic remedies.

Unfortunately, dosage directions don’t take into account that provings are a possibility.

If I were using pain relief creams, I’d look to see if they contained homeopathic remedies. (Homeopathic remedies will include a number such as 6x or 6c.)

If my cream contained homeopathic remedies, I’d use it sparingly.

One or two doses. Wait and see what happens. Repeat the dose only if necessary.

I wish these products came with the caveat that everyone is different and responds differently to individual remedies.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Pregnant women should not use homeopathic remedies unless directed to do so by a medical professional.