Arnica for Bruises: Does It Really Work?

Arnica is one of those remedies many people reach for as soon as a bruise appears. I’ve used it myself for years, especially after minor injuries. When I fell and badly bruised my ankle in the past, it did seem to help, but with everyday bruises I’m less convinced that it makes a dramatic difference. So, does arnica actually work for bruises? It may help some bruises fade a little faster, but the evidence is mixed and any benefit appears fairly modest. It certainly isn’t something that reliably makes a bruise disappear overnight. Let’s look at what the research actually says. Does arnica actually help bruises? Some studies suggest arnica can help bruises fade a little faster, while others have found little or no benefit. Overall, the evidence points to a possible small effect rather than anything dramatic. What does the research show? One of the more positive studies was a randomised controlled trial testing a 20% arnica cream on small laser-induced bruises. After two weeks, the bruises treated with arnica had improved more than those treated with a plain cream. However, arnica wasn’t better than the 5% vitamin K cream also tested. An earlier placebo-controlled study found a differ...