Michael Mann

It doesn't take a whole lot of research to find double-blind studies finding
arnica to be quite effective in relieving swelling and pain. Like a lot of
studies involving naturopathic/homeopathic/alternative treatments, the
research discounting their effectiveness is often (but not always) funded by
U.S. drug companies. No surprises there, I suppose. I'm all for truly
scientific studies, but you also need to examine whether those conducting
the research are truly unbiased regarding naturopathic remediesAll I can say
is try it for yourself and see if it works for you.

On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 11:32 AM, Jon Myers wrote:

> As a firm believer in science and proof I like to check out all the claims
> that are made by "natural" treatments. Unfortunetly, most don't have much
> or any foundation in science, not unlike the claims made that a bent up
> piece of sheet metal in the intake manifold of your car will give you 20%
> better fuel economy.
>
> According to the American Cancer Society and their website:
> http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Arnica.asp?sitearea=ETO
>
>
> "What is the history behind it?
>
> Herbal medicines made from arnica flowers and roots have been popular for
> hundreds of years. It has been said that Goethe drank arnica tea to relieve
> chest pains. The leaves were reportedly smoked, like tobacco. More recently,
> homeopathic and topical uses have predominated due to the possible harm in
> taking the herb by mouth.
>
> What is the evidence?
>
> Available scientific evidence does not support most of the claims about
> arnica's effectiveness. In 1998, a review in the Archives of Surgery of 8
> controlled human trials studying the effectiveness of arnica found that
> arnica was no more effective in treating injuries than the placebo with
> which it was compared. The authors found that the studies they reviewed had
> serious flaws in the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of arnica.
> They concluded that the human trials did not indicate that arnica was
> helpful or beneficial. One randomized clinical trial actually found that
> arnica appeared to increase pain and cause more swelling than the placebo in
> patients who had their wisdom teeth removed.
>
> A 2003 study of 62 patients tested homeopathic arnica to determine whether
> it reduced pain and bruising in patients having surgery for carpal tunnel
> syndrome. There were no differences in pain or bruising between the arnica
> and placebo groups.
>
> ..."
>
> more can be found at the link to the ACS website.
> -Jon Myers
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--
Michael Mann
http://baiku-velomann.blogspot.com/