Arnicare Gel

Arnicare Gel relieves muscle pain and stiffness from minor injuries, overexertion and falls, and reduces the pain, swelling and discolouration of a bruise. It is a water-based gel made from one plant — arnica, the mountain daisy — as a homeopathic mother tincture at 7%. The 2.6 oz (75 g) tube is unscented, cools on contact and absorbs without leaving a film.

How Arnicare Gel Works

Two things in the arnica plant do the work. Helenalin, its main active component, interferes with the regulation of genes that code for inflammatory mediators, and it does so at very low concentration inside the cell — so the swelling and pain that come with inflammation ease off. The plant’s polysaccharides stimulate phagocytosis, which is how a bruise gets cleared. Boiron use the mother tincture at a strength meant for local relief: pain, swelling and bruising right where you put it, plus muscle ache from overexertion. Being water-based rather than an oil or a petrolatum base is what makes the difference in use — it cools immediately, sinks in, does not stain a shirt and carries no medicinal odour, no fragrance, no dye and no paraben. For a deep bruise or a stiff back your hands cannot reach, the Arnicare Meltaway Tablets take the same arnica internally; plenty of people use both on the same injury.

Key Ingredients

One active, and a plain water-based gel base:

• Arnica — the single active, a homeopathic mother tincture at 7% made from the fresh whole plant. It relieves muscle pain and stiffness, swelling from injuries, and the discolouration of bruises.
• Alcohol, carbomer, purified water and sodium hydroxide — the gel itself. Fragrance-free, with no dyes or parabens.

Who It’s For

For athletes, gardeners, tradespeople and anyone who bruises easily. It earns its place in a gym bag and a first aid kit — and because there is no smell, you can use it before work rather than only at night.

Suggested Use

Apply a thin layer to the affected area as soon as possible after a minor injury, and repeat three times a day or as needed. If you are also using heat or ice on the spot, wait five minutes before applying the gel. External use only: keep it away from your eyes, mucous membranes, wounds and broken or irritated skin, do not wrap or bandage the area tightly, and do not apply heat or ice immediately before or after. Stop and see a doctor if it persists past three days or gets worse, or if the symptoms clear and come back within a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gel, cream or ointment? The gel is the water-based one: coolest on contact, fastest to absorb, nothing greasy. That is why it suits a fresh knock and works under clothes.

Can I put it on a cut or graze? No — arnica gel goes on unbroken skin only.

Will it smell like liniment? No. It is fragrance-free — no medicinal odour at all.