Supplement
Arnica is a yellow mountain flower whose extracts are thought to calm inflammation. Most people look at it for recovery after surgery, where the evidence is moderate: small trials found less swelling after knee ligament surgery and smaller bruise areas, though a pooled analysis found only a small effect that just missed statistical significance. Other placebo-controlled trials found no difference in pain or bruising, so the picture is mixed.
- Updated
- How we grade
- 4 studies cited
- Best evidence
- Grade C
- Conditions studied
- 6
- Outcomes
- 6
- Graded outcomes
- 0033
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
Facelift Surgery
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecchymosis Area Smaller bruising area on days 1, 5, 7, 10 post-surgery | Changes; see studies | Moderate effect | 29 people |
Knee Surgery Acl
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postoperative Swelling Reduced swelling after cruciate ligament reconstruction | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 60 people |
Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Pain/Function: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain/Function Topical gel (50% tincture) effective for OA symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 80 people |
Postoperative Recovery
- Hematoma/Bruising: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hematoma/Bruising Small effect size that 'just misses significance' vs placebo (meta-analysis) | Changes; see studies | Small effect | 1,200 people |
Hand Surgery Carpal Tunnel
- Pain and Bruising
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain and Bruising No difference from placebo at day 4 (arnica 30C and 6C) | NoneNo effect | 64 people |
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- Pain, Swelling, Bleeding
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain, Swelling, Bleeding No effect demonstrated in two double-blind RCTs | NoneNo effect | 100 people |
Key findings
- Ecchymosis AreaChanges; see studies
- Postoperative SwellingImproves (the measure goes down)
- Pain/FunctionImproves (the measure goes down)
Shop Arnica
Third-party tested Arnica products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.
- Grade C
Links to Fullscript, iHerb or Thorne carry our referral, so we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come from the research and never change based on what we earn. Fullscript asks for a free account before it shows its catalog and prices. Full disclosure
Studies cited
4 studies from PubMed
- Is Homeopathic Arnica Effective for Postoperative Recovery? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled and Active Comparator Trials
- Clinical Trials, Potential Mechanisms, and Adverse Effects of Arnica as an Adjunct Medication for Pain Management
- Effectiveness and Safety of Arnica montana in Post-Surgical Setting, Pain and Inflammation
- Homeopathic arnica for prevention of pain and bruising: randomized placebo-controlled trial in hand surgery