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Efficacy of homeopathic arnica: a
systematic review of placebo-controlled clinical
trials.
Ernst E, Pittler MH.
Department of Complementary Medicine, School of
Postgraduate Medicine and Health Sciences, University
of Exeter, England, United Kingdom. E.Ernst@exeter.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The efficacy of homeopathic remedies has
remained controversial. The homeopathic remedy most
frequently studied in placebo-controlled clinical
trials is Arnica montana.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the clinical
efficacy of homeopathic arnica.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computerized literature
searches were performed to retrieve all
placebo-controlled studies on the subject. The
following databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE,
CISCOM, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted
in a predefined, standardized fashion independently by
both authors. There were no restrictions on the
language of publications.
RESULTS: Eight trials fulfilled all inclusion
criteria. Most related to conditions associated with
tissue trauma. Most of these studies were burdened
with severe methodological flaws. On balance, they do
not suggest that homeopathic arnica is more
efficacious than placebo.
CONCLUSION: The claim that homeopathic arnica is
efficacious beyond a placebo effect is not supported
by rigorous clinical trials.
PMID: 9820349 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Homoeopathic arnica for the treatment
of soft tissue injury
Overview
Injuries from bumps, falls and other accidents can
cause bruising and swelling to skin and muscles. A
number of treatments are available to help reduce
swelling and bruising, including icing of injured
areas of skin and applying creams. Homoeopathic
preparations, particularly flowers from the herb
arnica montana (arnica), are also used by some for the
treatment for bruises, sprains and sore muscles. This
evidence summary identified one systematic review and
14 clinical trials (involving 1,275 people) that
examined the effectiveness of homoeopathic arnica for
the easing of pain, swelling and bruising caused by a
variety of accidents. Overall, the results from the
trials indicate that homoeopathic arnica has no clear
effect on bruising, swelling, or pain after soft
tissue injury. Side effects related to the use of
homoeopathic arnica for the treatment of soft tissue
injury tend to mild and reversible, and include
stomach irritation, tiredness (lethargy), dry mouth,
and headache. However, there is no clear difference in
the proportion of people experiencing side effects who
took homoeopathic arnica compared to those who took a
placebo. Side effects related to the use of
homoeopathic arnica in general tend to be mild and
reversible, and include headaches, tiredness, skin
eruptions, dizziness, diarrhoea, and/or the temporary
worsening of symptoms (often referred to as
“homoeopathic aggravation”). Severe and potentially
lethal side effects are associated with the ingestion
of the essential oil or the herb itself, and only the
homoeopathic preparation of arnica is safe for oral
use.
Source and full article:
http://www.cam.org.nz/Treatment%20Methods/Homoeopathy/soft_tissue_injury.htm
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