The truth is that arnica has been the unheralded remedy for many pro athletes and amateurs for years. Arnica has anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate soreness, muscle fatigue, and skin irritation that you might have. There is also evidence to prove that arnica extract can help reduce bruising and heal sprains. Furthermore, it has been a great help in reducing the pain and swelling that comes along with acne.

Before you invest in any kind of homeopathic remedy, it is good to know where it comes from. It is very important to know the history behind any medicine. So what makes arnica so special? What makes this plant the wonder remedy that promises to be the end all cure for your physical ailments?

Arnica is a plant that is from the sunflower family of plants. It has grown in Europe and America for hundreds of years and has been used as a remedy by native peoples. It has also been known to grow high in the Swiss mountains, which gave it the nickname “Mountain Tobacco.” The plant itself is a very deeply rooted, stiff-stemmed plant with no branches to speak of. The flowers from the plant are simple yellow and orange.

Europeans have been using arnica for its medical properties since the 16th century but is now so scarcely found that it is on the endangered plant list and is protected by law. While originally taken internally and used externally, it is now primarily an external remedy. In fact, it can cause some serious side effects if taken internally, so remember to ask your doctor before applying any medication to your body. As the plant migrated to North America, Native Americans used the arnica as a regular remedy for bruising, body aches and general pains. Later in the 19th and 20th centuries, medical practitioners took up the cause and began to use arnica products for bruising, sprains and sores.