When I was a child, my mother’s best friend owned a health food store. I am still not sure if she learned everything she knew there, or if she came with some knowledge, but I can say that she had a lot, and she shared it well. I have to attribute most of what I know about alternative healing to her. I, of course, have learned a lot on my own volition, but without the foundation she gave to me, I would  not know half of what I do now. One of the catch phrases in her house was “Get The ARNICA!!!’ Of course with her own two children, all of their friends, and me living next door, she was called to yell that one more times in a week than I am sure she would have liked to.

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy which is used to treat bumps, bruises, aches and pains, and it sure helped us! A couple of teeny tiny pellets went a long way after a spill on a bike, or a bonk to the head. but even as a preventative, it was a lifesaver.

For instance, a couple of weeks ago, I went horseback riding. It was a western saddle, and although I am fairly limber in general, I was sure that I would be subject (as most people are, having not ridden a horse in 25 years) to the stiffness that has one walking funny the next day. But I remembered to take Arnica on the way to bed the night before, the morning of and after riding. I had absolutely no stiffness! Arnica before an activity that requires muscles that have not been active for a while can make the difference that keeps the fun in the activity. Take Skiing for example. Have you ever woken up after your first day back on the mountain and been reminded of muscles you hadn’t thought about in forever?

Something that I have found is that many people have arnica gel, or cream in their medicine cabinets, and , don’t get me wrong, topically, on a bruise, or sore muscles, it can help. But for me, homeopathics from the inside out is the way to go.

Do you have any Arnica stories? Feel free to leave them in the comments below!

 **NOTE: I am neither a doctor, nor am I licensed to prescribe remedies, medicine or otherwise––fortunately, I am not, nor will I  ever do so.This blog allows me to share my experiences and any choice that you make, to duplicate my experiences, is on an “at your own risk” basis. What works for me may not work for you or anyone else, and so please, seek medical attention if you are in pain, distress or otherwise. I can only share what has and is working for me, and hope the best for you.