• Basic Info

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Arnica may interact with anesthetic drugs, reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure lowering drugs and/or enhance bleeding if taken with other anticoagulants. Caution is advised.

Topical arnica may increase hydroxyethyl salicylate's analgesic (pain relieving) effect.

Certain constituents found in arnica may lower serum lipids. Caution is advised in those patients taking cholesterol-lowering medications.

Arnica may also interact with drugs that are "highly protein bound." Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, before taking arnica.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Arnica may enhance bleeding if taken with other herbs and supplements that have anticoagulant effects. Caution is advised.

Use with arnica may reduce effectiveness of blood pressure lowering herbs and supplements.

Arnica used with daisy (Bellis perennis) may reduce postpartum blood loss. A qualified healthcare practitioner, including a pharmacist, should be consulted before combining herbs and supplements.

Attribution

This information is based on a professional level monograph edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): Ethan Basch, MD (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Mary Giles, PharmD (University of Rhode Island); Nicole M. Maisch, PharmD (St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions); David Sollars, MAc, HMC (New England School of Acupuncture); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Verda Tunaligil, MD, MPH (Harvard School of Public Health); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Mamta Vora, PharmD (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Baillargeon L, Drouin J, Desjardins L, et al. The effects of arnica montana on bleeding time: a randomized clinical trial. Biomedical Therapy 1998;16(4):272-276.

Bergonzi MC, Bilia AR, Casiraghi A, et al. Evaluation of skin permeability of sesquiterpenes of an innovative supercritical carbon dioxide Arnica extract by HPLC/DAD/MS. Pharmazie 2005;60(1):36-38.View Abstract

Cuzzolin L, Zaffani S, Benoni G. Safety implications regarding use of phytomedicines. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2006;62(1):37-42.View Abstract

dos S, Gobbo-Neto L, Albarella L, et al. Analgesic activity of di-caffeoylquinic acids from roots of Lychnophora ericoides (Arnica da serra). J Ethnopharmacol 2005;96(3):545-549.View Abstract

Hart O, Mullee MA, Lewith G, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of homoeopathic arnica C30 for pain and infection after total abdominal hysterectomy. J R Soc Med 1997;90(2):73-78.View Abstract

Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter A. Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial. Adv Ther 2002;19(5):209-218.View Abstract

Kos O, Lindenmeyer MT, Tubaro A, et al. New sesquiterpene lactones from Arnica tincture prepared from fresh flowerheads of Arnica montana. Planta Med 2005;71(11):1044-1052.View Abstract

Ludtke R, Hacke D. [On the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedy Arnica montana]. Wien Med Wochenschr 2005;155(21-22):482-490.View Abstract

Oberbaum M, Galoyan N, Lerner-Geva L, et al. The effect of the homeopathic remedies Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on mild postpartum bleeding--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study--preliminary results. Complement Ther Med 2005;13(2):87-90.View Abstract

Seeley BM, Denton AB, Ahn MS, et al. Effect of homeopathic Arnica montana on bruising in face-lifts: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arch Facial Plast Surg 2006;8(1):54-59.View Abstract

Spitaler R, Schlorhaufer PD, Ellmerer EP, et al. Altitudinal variation of secondary metabolite profiles in flowering heads of Arnica montana cv. ARBO. Phytochemistry 2006;67(4):409-417.View Abstract

Stevinson C, Devaraj VS, Fountain-Barber A, et al. Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery. J R Soc Med 2003;96(2):60-65.View Abstract

Tuten C, McClung J. Reducing muscle soreness with Arnica montana: Is it effective? Alternative and Complementary Therapies 1999;5(6):369-372.

Vickers AJ, Fisher P, Smith C, et al. Homeopathic Arnica 30x is ineffective for muscle soreness after long- distance running: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin J Pain 1998;14(3):227-231.View Abstract

Wolf M, Tamaschke C, Mayer W, et al. [Efficacy of Arnica in varicose vein surgery: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study]. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2003;10(5):242-247.View Abstract

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.