Arnica Massage Oil Benefits and Health Tips

Are you looking for the best massage balm or oil to soothe tired muscles and joint pains?  Take a look at Arnica massage balm benefits. Medical practitioners are pretty amazed at how this wonder oil could have potent anti-inflammatory benefits. For a closer look at what makes Arnica oil and balm a popular choice not just for bodily aches but for bumps, bruises, as well as a whole lot of other health conditions, do read on.

Arnica oil is derived from Arnica Montana, a perennial herb of the sunflower family endemic to Europe and Siberia. It's been used as early as the 15^th century as popular folk medicine. Goethe, a German poet who was well known for his literary work, "Faust," used arnica tea to relieve heart congestion. Arnica's healing properties come from its star-shaped bright yellow flowers, which bloom from June through August.

These beauties have three main healing compounds:

• Helenalin, sesquiterpene lactones with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Coumarin, a phytochemical compound with anticoagulant properties (present when flowers are boiled)
• Thymol, known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

As a potent natural anti-inflammatory treatment for muscle stiffness and joint pains common in arthritic conditions, studies show Arnica oil or balm to be comparative in efficacy to ibuprofen. Significant improvements were seen in as little as six weeks when Arnica oil was applied twice daily. Credit goes to Helenalin and Thymol.

Helenalin is a potent anti-inflammatory. It restricts the formation of cytokines, an inflammation-causing substance in the body. That's how contusions, sprains, hematomas, and the like heal faster. On the other hand, Thymol does its healing job by stimulating or encouraging the subcutaneous blood capillaries to enlarge, which helps regulate blood flow, particularly white blood cells to dis-eased areas. This facilitates healing. It also helps diminish fluids stuck in sore or bruised areas.

Aside from these healing compounds, Arnica oil is also composed of fatty acids such as palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, myristic. When essential fatty acids are depleted, it compromises the integrity of the skin's natural barrier. Upon constant application of oils rich in fatty acids, skin barrier recovery is achieved in as little as two weeks. Based on studies, essential fatty acids applied topically will help reverse skin ageing as well. No wonder, Arnica oil has become one of the most sought-after topical products for inflammation-related bodily woes and skin rejuvenation treatments.

That's not all, the Arnica massage balm product itself also has these wonderful ingredients:

• Dried birch leaves are, you guessed it right, anti-inflammatory
• Rosemary oil offers a wide range of health benefits

GENERAL

• Boost immune system
• Reduce pain and swelling
• Relieve headache

HAIR

• stimulate hair growth
• strengthens hair
• delays greying
• moisturizes scalp preventing dandruff and hair loss

STOMACH

• helps relieve stomach issues like cramps, bloating, constipation, and gas
• promotes healthy digestion and food absorption

SKIN

• it's anti-microbial, antiseptic, astringent, antioxidant, and tonic properties make it an excellent additive for skincare products that vow to treat breakouts and inflammation

Here are 7 arnica massage balm benefits:

1. Commonly used in treating sports and exercise-related injuries such as muscle soreness, sprains, and fractures.
2. Hastens healing of bruises and bumps.
3. Loaded with fatty acids, excellent skin vitamins that revitalize the skin, bringing back its elasticity and youthful glow.
4. Fights pimples and acne through the work of the thymol compound, which stimulates the skin's underlying blood vessels making it less prone to clogged pores.
5. Encourages hair regrowth. Arnica oil as a treatment for hair loss has been effective; some haircare products have included it in their mix of ingredients.
6. Great treatment for bug bites. It acts as antibiotics and helps reduce pain and swelling.
7. Effective stress-buster. Arnica oil works best with lymphatic drainage or any type of massage.

To top it all off, you also get to reap the benefits of touch therapy. For one, touch therapy promotes healthy circulation, which - helps lower blood pressure, heightens mental alertness, eases depression and anxiety. It could also do wonders for the elderly as it increases joint mobility, improves balance, and slows the effects of dementia.

Due to its popularity, arnica balm and oil are readily available in pharmacies. 

Weleda is a trusted brand, having been in the business of making holistic natural cosmetics and health products for 100 years. They believe in the body's innate ability to heal itself; thus, their range of health products are derived from nature to ensure that they deliver only what the body needs to help it bounce back to health. Weleda's medicines come from naturally grown plants and are made by hand, following the same stringent quality standards for all pharmaceutical manufacturers. If it's not synthetic, it surely is good for you.