Arnica - can anyone tell me about it ?

[crazynow]

I was reading a thread ages ago and a few people mentioned Arnica - does this help with bringing on labour, during labour or a speedy recovery?

Can anyone help? From what I can remember you can take it from 37/38wks.

I'd be very greatful for your comments.

[Enid]

It is very good for bruising post birth. I took a huge dose as I went into labour - unfortunately labour only took 2 hours so dont think it worked! But I carried on taking it for a week or so after and it seemed to help the 'post-birth trauma' as they so delicately put it!

[SoupDragon]

It's to help with healing post-birth. It's great for bruising and no mother's Toddler First Aid Kit should be without the cream version!

[KatyW]

It's also quite good for when you're woken by a headbutt from your toddler (this morning). DH is worried that everyone at work thinks the resulting black eye was caused by him !

[KMS]

crazynow- I think you are thinking of raspberry leaf tabs for bringing on labour that can be taken from 37/38 wks. think there is a thread about pros/cons of this? I think it can also help to contract uterus after birth? M/w recomended arnica to help recovery after birth. not sure if helped but did no harm.

[chiggles]

I use Arnica cream for bruises too. It works.

[codswallop]

Evidence has shown recently that it odoes not work

[StripyMouse]

arnica is amazing for bruises - it makes them "come out" and show up much faster and by coming out faster it also starts healing sooner ie. less painful, quicker to recover. I use it in a cream version all the time and can really recommend it for any type of bruise where the skin is unbroken - esp. good with toddlers who fall over all the time.However, there is no way i would use a cream on my sore bits "down under" after birth - too squeamish - instead use he tablets. I might be totally gullible but I believe they really helped speed up recovery and know of no negative sider effects. My mw recommended them to me too.

[StripyMouse]

sorry - just re read that and am embarrassed by the number of typos - must be tired! Codswallop - interested in your thoughts that new evidence says it doesn?t work, have we all been conning ourselves or is there a placebo effect - got any more info?

[SoupDragon]

Personally, I don't care if it's a placebo effect - it still works I believe that there was research which said that there was actually none of the substance in the final product as it was so diluted.

[mammya]

I also heard that research showed it didn't work, but that was only for the hoemopatic (sp?) tablet version, not the cream. Homeopatic remedies are always diluted to an extent that there is actually none (or hardly any) of the active substance left in the final product. In my experience the cream works. Haven't used the tablets so can't comment on that. Although I would say a placebo effect is an effect, and it can be just as effective as a "real" effect IYSWIM.

[crazynow]

Thanks everyone, this has been a great help.

[SoupDragon]

Bron, I think you are meant to suck them but I'm not sure