Try Arnica For Neuropathic Pain

Tuesday 6 February 2018

Try Arnica For Neuropathic Pain

Today's post from mtspace.me (see link below) looks at a herb (Arnica) that in its various forms is widely used to treat joint and muscle pain but did you know that for some people it can be very effective in reducing neuropathy symptoms too? By massaging your feet (or other painful areas) with arnica cream or oil, especially at night, you may well find that it provides those few percentage points of improvement that will make all the difference. That said, there are of course no guarantees but that applies to all neuropathy treatments, medical or supplementary. Nevertheless, after doing more research and maybe talking it over with your doctor, you may decide that arnica is well worth a try.

Arnica for Diabetic Neuropathy – is a Powerful Pain Relief Remedy
Marcos Taquechel 2 (Last Updated On: February 1, 2018)

Learn how to use arnica to alleviate diabetic neuropathy

Arnica for diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy can be greatly relieved by massaging the affected areas with arnica oil preparation or concentrates. Some arnica preparations are blended with different herbs enhancing arnica’s action.

Arnica creams may contain lavender, Hypericum, coconut oil, shea butter, Co-Q10, and other natural ingredients. Arnica works by enhancing circulatory activity from massage and boosting muscular recovery. Arnica ointments usually contain up to 15% of arnica oil or 25% of arnica tincture.

Good results from herbal preparations involve knowing how to use it. Small differences in plant potency, method employed, and duration of treatment can dramatically alter outcomes.

Arnica for diabetic neuropathy is no different. It is very common for some people to try herbs for a few days and just give up complaining of no results. When using arnica for diabetic neuropathy, length of treatment is even more important because healing nerves always takes extra time and persistence.

Poor knowledge of herb treatment may account for most of non successful trials. Herbs promote healing by activating your own body systems rather then treating the symptoms.

Arnica can also help with the burning and tingling sensations common in diabetic neuropathy. Arnica properties are known to disperse fluids from bruised tissues which can occur in damaged nerve tissue in diabetic neuropathy. Arnica also stimulate white blood cell activity which is responsible for fighting inflammation and enhancing nerve healing.

Arnica and other treatments

Neuropathy is simply another word for nerve pain. Neuropathy is one of the most uncomfortable types of pain. Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, shingles, fibromyalgia, chemotherapy and other conditions. Neuropathy pain is described as tingling and burning; this is also accompanied by a loss of sensation which some describe as wearing a thin stocking or glove. Treating pain does not involve a single standard treatment. Some treatments are more effective in some cases and might not work well for others. Doctors tend to prescribe a battery of medications that might work well for pain, but they may also cause side effects which are more common with standard allopathic medication and treatments.

A Common standard treatments usually involves the use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or ibuprofen such as motrin or advil which is are not an effective treatment of neuropathy. Other medications such as lidocaine patch 5%, Neurontin, Tricyclic anti-depressants, Cymbalta, Effexor are a few in the long list of possible drugs which may or may not work.

Nerves takes time to heal and arnica can be very beneficial in lengthy treatments because it promotes healing by helping your body to engage in the healing process. Arnica has no side effects if used externally and may be a great help specially if combined with other therapies. Proper nutrition is key to a successful campaign on treating diabetic neuropathy. Nerve pain can be healed and treated and many studies have shown that nutrition support can greatly help. Some supplements which could be use are:

lipoic acid 300 mg 2x day
acetyl-L-Carnitine 2,000 mg 1x day
Inositol (500-1,000 mg 1x day
vitamin B6 (50-100 mg 1x day
vitamin B12 (500-5,000 mcg 1x day
vitamin C cristals (1000 mg 1-2x day)

Contra indications and toxicity

Only use it internally in small amounts and for shorter periods due to toxicity
Do not apply arnica extracts to open wounds. Arnica will increase blood flow and prevent clotting
Shoud not be used along with blood thinners such as coumadin or warfarin
Arnica contain the toxin helenalin which is also its chief beneficial compound
Helenalin can produce severe gastroenteritis and internal bleeding of the digestive tract

Types of preparations
Oils
Gels
Alcohol extracts (more potent but evaporate from skin quicker)
Essential oils (Not an oil extract only volatile essence or fragrance does not contain healing properties)
herbal or homeopathic preparations (Limited efficacy due to be very dilute)
Herbal oil extracts (favorite for its potency)

Action
Diaphoretic – promotes perspiration
Diuretic – increases secretion of urine
Emollient – softens, soothes skin
Expectorant – promotes discharge of mucous from respiratory tract
Stimulant – speeds physiological processes

Plant components
Arnicin
Flavonoids
Inulin
Sesquiterpene lactones – reduces inflamation and decrease pain
Tannin
Thymol

About this plant

Arnica belongs to the sunflower family. About 30 perennial species are known. The flowers are approximately two inches in diameter and bloom between May and August. Some species such as Arnica montana and A. chamissonis contains helenalin. That is arnica’s principal substance with anti-inflammatory properties.

Arnica is mostly used to treat bruises but can also be used internally. It can be toxic if taken internaly in large amounts so caution is advised. Arnica montana have been used for centuries to treat strains, sprains, and bruises. Its action mechanism is not well understood but two chemicals are believed to be responsible: helenalin and dihydrohelenalin. These chemicals are thought to boost immune cells, kill bacteria and reduces the chemical action responsible for causing inflammation and diabetic neoropathy.

Arnica can be used topically as ointment, which usually is prepared and combined with other beneficial herbs and compounds. Internally arnica can be more effective for some conditions such as chronic and tenacious sprains like tennis elbow or other injuries caused by repetitive motion. Internally arnica requires careful experimentation due to its toxicity; it should not be taken for more then one month. Arnica for internal use should be used in tincture form.

Even though some studies report modest gains in pain reduction when treating inflammatory conditions; there is overwhelming evidence of arnica’s healing properties. Arnica has been used successfully for centuries. Some studies are inconclusive and tend to discard arnica’s effectiveness. These studies might be flawed due to inconsistencies in herb potency and incorrect or ineffective administration. One study demonstrated significant improvement in post varicose vain surgery recovery.

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