Research

Arnica

35 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

2
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
31
RCTs
1
Other studies
Meta-analyses (6%)
Systematic reviews (3%)
RCTs (89%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2017·European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·Ho Seok Lee, Ho Young Yoon, In Hye Kim, et al

The effectiveness of postoperative intervention in patients after rhinoplasty: a meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisn = 627

Meta-analysis of 11 trials with 627 patients assessing postoperative care methods for edema and ecchymosis after rhinoplasty. Arnica administration, cold compression, and tape application reduced eyelid edema and ecchymosis. Intranasal packing was associated with more adverse effects compared to non-packing.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2023·Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons·Neşet Akay, Koray Onur Şanal

Can Topical Agents (Arnica and Mucopolysaccharide Polysulfate) Reduce Postoperative Pain, Edema and Trismus Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery?

RCTn = 60Inflammation

A randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of topical arnica and mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPSP) on postoperative pain, trismus, and edema following mandibular third molar surgery. Both arnica and MPSP reduced pain compared to the control group, with arnica more effective at reducing trismus and MPSP more effective at reducing edema.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2007·Rheumatology international·Reto Widrig, Andy Suter, Reinhard Saller, et al

Choosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study.

RCTn = 204Joint Bone Health -

Randomised, double-blind study comparing topical ibuprofen and arnica gel in 204 patients with hand osteoarthritis. No differences were found between the two groups in pain relief and hand function improvements after 21 days of treatment. Arnica was not inferior to ibuprofen.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2006·Complementary therapies in medicine·B Brinkhaus, J M Wilkens, R Lüdtke, et al

Homeopathic arnica therapy in patients receiving knee surgery: results of three randomised double-blind trials.

RCTn = 319Inflammation

Three randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials investigated the effectiveness of homeopathic Arnica montana on postoperative swelling and pain after knee surgeries. A total of 319 patients participated across the trials. Homeopathic arnica showed a significant beneficial effect on reducing swelling in cruciate ligament reconstruction but not in arthroscopy or artificial knee joint implantation.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2003·Homeopathy : the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy·D Tveiten, S Bruset

Effect of Arnica D30 in marathon runners. Pooled results from two double-blind placebo controlled studies.

Meta-analysisn = 82Physical Performance Recovery -

Meta-analysis of two double-blind placebo-controlled trials with 82 marathon runners examining the effect of Arnica D30 on muscle soreness and cell damage. Arnica D30 reduced muscle soreness after marathon running but had no effect on cell damage measured by enzymes.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2025·PLoS neglected tropical diseases·Sara M Robledo, Liliana López, Juliana Quintero, et al

A phase Ib/II clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical Arnica tincture to treat non-complicated cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia.

RCTn = 16Skin Hair Health

A phase Ib/II clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of topical Arnica tincture for treating non-complicated cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia. Sixteen subjects were enrolled, with a 100% cure rate among those who completed the study. Mild adverse events were reported, and no severe adverse effects occurred.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2020·Journal of strength and conditioning research·Sandro Bartolomei, Federico Nigro, Alessio D'Amico, et al

Mud Pack With Menthol and Arnica Montana Accelerates Recovery Following a High-Volume Resistance Training Session for Lower Body in Trained Men.

RCTn = 10Recovery

RCT comparing the effects of a mud pack containing menthol and Arnica montana on recovery after high-volume resistance training in 10 trained men. The mud pack enhanced recovery rate of strength and reduced muscle soreness, but did not influence muscle morphology.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2016·Plastic and reconstructive surgery·Denise C E van Exsel, Shariselle M W Pool, Jeroen H van Uchelen, et al

Arnica Ointment 10% Does Not Improve Upper Blepharoplasty Outcome: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 136

RCT of 136 bilateral upper blepharoplasty patients comparing arnica ointment 10% to placebo. No significant difference was found between arnica and placebo in periorbital appearance, swelling, ecchymosis, erythema, pain, or patient satisfaction after surgery.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2016·Plastic and reconstructive surgery·Gokce Simsek, Elif Sari, Rahmi Kilic, et al

Topical Application of Arnica and Mucopolysaccharide Polysulfate Attenuates Periorbital Edema and Ecchymosis in Open Rhinoplasty: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.

RCTn = 108Skin Hair Health

RCT of 108 patients undergoing rhinoplasty, comparing postoperative arnica cream and mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream treatments to a control group. Both treatments significantly reduced postoperative ecchymosis and edema compared to the control group, with no significant difference between the two treatments.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2012·Drugs in R&D·Jean-Claude Colau, Stéphane Vincent, Philippe Marijnen, et al

Efficacy of a non-hormonal treatment, BRN-01, on menopausal hot flashes: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 108Womens Health

Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of BRN-01, a homeopathic treatment containing Actaea racemosa and other components, on reducing hot flashes in menopausal women. The study found that BRN-01 significantly reduced the hot flash score compared to placebo, with a safe profile.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2010·British journal of clinical pharmacology·Catherine Cornu, Pierre Joseph, Ségolène Gaillard, et al

No effect of a homoeopathic combination of Arnica montana and Bryonia alba on bleeding, inflammation, and ischaemia after aortic valve surgery.

RCTn = 92Inflammation -

RCT of 92 adult patients undergoing aortic valve surgery, testing a homoeopathic combination of Arnica montana and Bryonia alba against placebo. The study found no significant effects on bleeding, inflammation, pain, or myocardial ischaemia.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2010·The Annals of pharmacotherapy·Julie D Adkison, David W Bauer, Terence Chang

The effect of topical arnica on muscle pain.

RCTn = 53Physical Performance

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 53 subjects tested the effect of topical Arnica montana on muscle pain following calf raises. Arnica increased leg pain 24 hours after exercise compared to placebo, but no significant differences were observed at 48 and 72 hours post-exercise.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2010·The British journal of dermatology·S Leu, J Havey, L E White, et al

Accelerated resolution of laser-induced bruising with topical 20% arnica: a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial.

RCTSkin Hair Health

RCT assessing the effectiveness of topical 20% arnica in resolving laser-induced bruising. Arnica showed greater improvement in bruising scores compared to white petrolatum and a mixture of 1% vitamin K and 0.3% retinol, but not greater than 5% vitamin K cream.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2010·Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery·Brett S Kotlus, Dustin M Heringer, Robert M Dryden

Evaluation of homeopathic Arnica montana for ecchymosis after upper blepharoplasty: a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study.

RCTSkin Hair Health -

A placebo-controlled, double-blind RCT evaluated the efficacy of homeopathic Arnica montana for reducing ecchymosis after upper eyelid blepharoplasty. The study found no statistically significant difference in ecchymosis severity or resolution between the Arnica montana and placebo groups.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2008·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·Jens-Hagen Karow, Hans-Peter Abt, Markus Fröhling, et al

Efficacy of Arnica montana D4 for healing of wounds after Hallux valgus surgery compared to diclofenac.

RCTn = 88Inflammation

RCT comparing Arnica D4 to diclofenac in 88 patients after hallux valgus surgery. Arnica D4 was equivalent to diclofenac for wound irritation and patient mobility but inferior for pain relief. Arnica D4 was better tolerated and is cheaper.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2008·Holistic nursing practice·Stephanie Maxine Ross

Osteoarthritis: a proprietary Arnica gel is found to be as effective as ibuprofen gel in osteoarthritis of the hands.

RCTJoint Bone Health

The study compares the effectiveness of a proprietary Arnica gel to ibuprofen gel in treating osteoarthritis of the hands, finding them to be equally effective.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2007·Homeopathy : the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy·A Robertson, R Suryanarayanan, A Banerjee

Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy analgesia: a randomised placebo control trial.

RCTn = 190

RCT evaluating the efficacy of Homeopathic Arnica montana in reducing post-tonsillectomy pain. 190 patients were randomized to receive Arnica or placebo. The Arnica group showed a significantly larger drop in pain scores from day 1 to day 14 compared to placebo, though no significant differences were found in analgesic consumption or other secondary outcomes.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2003·Arzneimittel-Forschung·Miroslav Kucera, Ondrej Horácek, Jan Kálal, et al

Synergetic analgesic effect of the combination of arnica and hydroxyethyl salicylate in ethanolic solution following cutaneous application by transcutaneous electrostimulation.

RCT

RCT examining the analgesic effect of a combination of arnica and hydroxyethyl salicylate in ethanolic solution applied cutaneously. The study found that the combination displayed a significantly greater analgesic effect than the individual substances, demonstrating synergy between arnica and hydroxyethyl salicylate.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2002·Advances in therapy·Otto Knuesel, Michel Weber, Andy Suter

Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial.

RCTn = 79Joint Bone Health

Open multicenter trial of Arnica montana gel applied twice daily in 79 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Significant decreases in WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness, and function were observed after 3 and 6 weeks. The gel was well-tolerated with a low adverse-event rate.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2000·Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)·A A Ramelet, G Buchheim, P Lorenz, et al

Homeopathic Arnica in postoperative haematomas: a double-blind study.

RCTn = 130Inflammation -

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of homeopathic Arnica CH5 in 130 patients undergoing venous surgery. No statistically significant difference in postoperative haematomas was found between the Arnica and placebo groups.

PubMedRead on PubMed
1998·The Clinical journal of pain·A J Vickers, P Fisher, C Smith, et al

Homeopathic Arnica 30x is ineffective for muscle soreness after long-distance running: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 400Physical Performance -

RCT of 400 runners testing homeopathic Arnica 30x versus placebo for muscle soreness after long-distance running. No significant differences were found in muscle soreness scores or race times between the Arnica and placebo groups.

PubMedRead on PubMed
1998·Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)·E Ernst, M H Pittler

Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Systematic review

Systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical trials on the efficacy of homeopathic arnica. Eight trials were included, mostly related to conditions associated with tissue trauma. The review concludes that homeopathic arnica is not more efficacious than placebo.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2016·Alternative therapies in health and medicine·Mary Morris, Janice Pellow, Elizabeth Margaret Solomon, et al

Physiotherapy and a Homeopathic Complex for Chronic Low-back Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study.

RCTn = 30Joint Bone Health

A 6-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study investigated the efficacy of a homeopathic complex combined with physiotherapy for chronic low-back pain due to osteoarthritis. The treatment group showed significant improvements in pain, daily functioning, and range of motion compared to the control group, though no difference was found in the need for conventional pain medication.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2016·Annals of plastic surgery·Scott R Chaiet, Benjamin C Marcus

Perioperative Arnica montana for Reduction of Ecchymosis in Rhinoplasty Surgery.

RCTn = 22Inflammation

RCT of oral Arnica montana in rhinoplasty patients to reduce postoperative ecchymosis. Arnica montana group showed significant reduction in extent and intensity of bruising on postoperative days 7 and 9/10 compared to placebo, suggesting accelerated healing.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2013·European journal of sport science·Kate L Pumpa, Kieran E Fallon, Alan Bensoussan, et al

The effects of topical Arnica on performance, pain and muscle damage after intense eccentric exercise.

RCTn = 20Physical Performance -Inflammation -Recovery -

Double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial with 20 well-trained males to assess the effects of topical Arnica on performance, pain, and muscle damage after intense eccentric exercise. Topical Arnica reduced pain as assessed through muscle tenderness and VAS 72 hours post-exercise but did not affect performance assessments or markers of muscle damage or inflammation.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2011·Complementary therapies in medicine·Roman Huber, Felix Bross, Christoph Schempp, et al

Arnica and stinging nettle for treating burns - a self-experiment.

RCTn = 2Skin Hair Health

Self-experiment with Combudoron, containing arnica and stinging nettle, on grade 2 laser-induced burns. Verum-treated burns showed faster eschar detachment compared to placebo, suggesting positive effects on burn healing.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2007·Plastic and reconstructive surgery·Ali Totonchi, Bahman Guyuron

A randomized, controlled comparison between arnica and steroids in the management of postrhinoplasty ecchymosis and edema.

RCTn = 48

RCT comparing arnica and corticosteroids for managing postrhinoplasty ecchymosis and edema in 48 patients. No significant differences in ecchymosis ratings on day 2, but group C had more swelling. By day 8, group P had more ecchymosis, while groups A and C showed more resolution. Arnica and corticosteroids may reduce early postoperative edema, but arnica does not benefit ecchymosis extent or intensity.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2006·Archives of facial plastic surgery·Brook M Seeley, Andrew B Denton, Min S Ahn, et al

Effect of homeopathic Arnica montana on bruising in face-lifts: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

RCTn = 29Skin Hair Health

RCT of 29 patients undergoing rhytidectomy treated with homeopathic Arnica montana or placebo. Patients taking Arnica montana exhibited less ecchymosis, with statistically significant differences on postoperative days 1 and 7.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2005·Complementary therapies in medicine·Menachem Oberbaum, Narine Galoyan, Liat Lerner-Geva, et al

The effect of the homeopathic remedies Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on mild postpartum bleeding--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study--preliminary results.

RCTn = 40

RCT evaluating the effect of homeopathic Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on postpartum blood loss in 40 parturients. At 72 hours postpartum, the treatment group maintained similar hemoglobin levels compared to a significant decrease in the placebo group, suggesting a potential reduction in postpartum blood loss.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2002·Alternative therapies in health and medicine·S L A Jeffrey, H J C R Belcher

Use of Arnica to relieve pain after carpal-tunnel release surgery.

RCTn = 37

Double-blind, randomized trial comparing Arnica administration to placebo in 37 patients undergoing carpal-tunnel release surgery. No difference in grip strength or wrist circumference, but significant reduction in pain after 2 weeks in the Arnica group.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2002·Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]·Delilah Alonso, Melissa C Lazarus, Leslie Baumann

Effects of topical arnica gel on post-laser treatment bruises.

RCTn = 19Skin Hair Health -

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with 19 patients to evaluate the efficacy of topical arnica in preventing and resolving laser-induced bruising. No significant difference was found between topical arnica and vehicle in the prevention or resolution of bruising.

PubMedRead on PubMed
1997·Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·O Hart, M A Mullee, G Lewith, et al

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of homoeopathic arnica C30 for pain and infection after total abdominal hysterectomy.

RCTn = 73Recovery -

Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT evaluating the effects of homoeopathic arnica C30 on pain and postoperative recovery after total abdominal hysterectomy. No significant difference in recovery was found between the arnica and placebo groups.

PubMedRead on PubMed
1984·The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery·G S Kaziro

Metronidazole (Flagyl) and Arnica Montana in the prevention of post-surgical complications, a comparative placebo controlled clinical trial.

RCTn = 118Inflammation Recovery

Double-blind trial with 118 patients undergoing wisdom teeth removal, comparing Metronidazole, Arnica Montana, and placebo. Metronidazole was more effective in pain control, swelling prevention, and healing promotion than Arnica and placebo. Arnica Montana resulted in greater pain and swelling compared to placebo.

PubMedRead on PubMed
1990·The British journal of clinical practice·G J Hofmeyr, V Piccioni, P Blauhof

Postpartum homeopathic Arnica montana: a potency-finding pilot study.

RCT

The study is a pilot RCT investigating the potency of homeopathic Arnica montana in postpartum settings. No abstract is available to provide further details on findings or specific goals.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2006·Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis·Anna Rita Bilia, Maria Camilla Bergonzi, Giovanni Mazzi, et al

Development and stability of semisolid preparations based on a supercritical CO2 Arnica extract.

In vitro

The paper discusses the development and stability of semisolid preparations based on a supercritical CO2 extract of Arnica montana with high sesquiterpene content. Stability and in vitro release of active constituents were evaluated, with cetomacrogol showing the best release profile in vitro, while polysorbate 60 and polawax performed best in vivo.

PubMedRead on PubMed