What is Arnica?
Arnica is a perennial that grows to a height of 1 – 2 feet with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. Stems are round and hairy, ending in one to three flower stalks, with flowers 2 – 3 inches across. Leaves are bright green. The upper leaves are toothed and slightly hairy, while lower leaves have rounded tips. It is native to the mountains of Europe and Siberia, and is cultivated in North America.
Parts Used:
Fresh or dried flower heads are used in medicinal preparations.
Medicinal Uses and Indications:
- Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, superficial phlebitis, rheumatic pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling due to fractures.
- Homeopathic preparations are also used to treat sore muscles, bruises, and other conditions caused by overexertion or trauma. Homeopathic doses are extremely diluted. They have no detectable amount of the plant in them and are generally considered safe for internal use when taken according to the directions on the product labeling.
What is the German Commission E Monographs?
In 1978 the German government established a committee, called Commission E, comprised of physicians, pharmacologists, toxicologists, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and lay persons. Phytomedicines, simply called herbal remedies, are commonly used and very popular in Germany. The German government saw the need to create a process to affirm their safety and effectiveness. The Commission E evaluated data obtained from clinical trials, field studies, collections of single cases, scientific literature including facts published in the standard reference works and expertise of medical associations. Their evaluations resulted in the establishment of “reasonable certainty” of the safety and effectiveness of the herb reviewed.
There are 380 monographs presented in the American Botanical Council’s The Complete German Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. This material has recently been translated into English and can be viewed at Cheryl’s Herbs Study Center where it is now a part of our library of over 500 books. The monographs include listings of approved herbs, unapproved herbs, uses and indications, contraindications, side effects, interactions of herbs with conventional drugs, duration of administration and more.
The German market is the largest with 10 percent of pharmaceutical sales being natural remedies. The French market is the second largest with both countries experiencing positive attitudes towards herbal medicine by the medical profession, government and pharmacies. In Germany a large proportion of herbs are sold on prescription.
Why are Parabens bad?
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their report “Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment: Agents of Subtle Change?” reported that the chemical preservatives called parabens—methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl (alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates)—displayed estrogenic activity in several tests. This means that these chemicals mimic your body´s own hormones and can have endocrine-disrupting action when they are rubbed into your body or washed down the drain into your drinking water. These disruptors interfere with your body´s endocrine system: your hypothalamus, your ovaries, your thyroid—virtually every system in your body. The EPA also stated that “continual introduction of these benzoates (parabens) into sewage treatment systems and directly to recreational waters from the skin leads to the question of risk to aquatic organisms.” Scientists in Europe found other endocrine-disrupting body care chemicals in the bodies of fish that humans are eating, and in human breast milk.
Does AMR-7 work on Restless Leg Syndrome?
Numbers of patients already have found this rub helpful for RLS. However there are no scientific studies to prove this so far. Use the Rub at bedtime. Apply a small amount in the inguinal area (the anterior fold line of the hip) as well as the calf and any area that seems to be troublesome. This first coat will go through the skin in 2 minutes or 3. Five minutes after this first coat add a second coat, and 5 minutes later a third coat. (2 coats may be enough for some).
Don’t forget to treat also any unconfortable area in the lower limbs with a coat or two of this excellent pain cream.
Keep it away from your eyes or mucosal membranes or broken skin. Magnesium has been found to be helpful for RLS. Ask your doctor if you can take it. People with Fibromyalgia and RLS may benefit from a form of Magnesium called Magnesium Maleate. Also, caffeine (and of course chocolate) needs to stop.
NEVER TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS OR REMEDIES WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR DOCTOR.
How does Methylsulfonylmethane work for pain relief?
Methylsulfonylmethane: It is a simple sulfur bearing molecule in our bodies and, therefore, a part of our molecular structure. It has no relation to the “sulfa allergy” some people suffer from. It is used here because of its widely reported use for chronic pain, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The FDA has not approved any of these statements. Toxicity in topical remedies that contain MSM so far has not been confirmed.
