Arnica gel, pills banish bruises
Q. Yesterday, I had a slow-motion tumble off my bike onto my knees on the way home. They were bruised, but I was able to pedal home and get arnica gel on them in about 10 minutes. I also took some homeopathic arnica pills.
My mother swears by this herb, but I had not had occasion to use it much. I applied more gel before bed and again in the morning.
Today, one knee shows no effects of having been bruised, and the other is not black and blue and barely hurts at all. I am stunned by the effectiveness of this arnica. Have studies been done?
A. Arnica montana is a flower that grows in Europe. It has traditionally been used for bruises and sprains. There is relatively little scientific evidence to support its use, but your report is not the first we’ve heard.
A recent study published in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery (January/February 2006) found that homeopathic arnica pills seemed to have a small but measurable effect on bruising following a face-lift.
Homeopathic tablets contain very little arnica. At higher doses, though, arnica should not be taken orally since it can be quite toxic.
Q. A year ago, your column mentioned the benefits of low-sodium V8 juice for muscle cramps. For years I had suffered from severe leg cramps almost nightly. I would awaken in agony, even though I was eating bananas and taking potassium supplements daily.
After seeing your column, I immediately began drinking 8 ounces of low-sodium V8 every day. Now, more than a year later, I have not had one episode of muscle cramping. It has fewer calories than bananas (which I don’t care for), little sodium and the solution to a painful problem.
A. Several readers mentioned the high potassium content of low-sodium V8 juice (840 milligrams in 8 ounces). This offers more potassium for fewer calories than either bananas or orange juice. We’re glad it has prevented your leg cramps.
Q. My mother died of breast cancer, so I am careful to avoid estrogen. Vaginal dryness is a problem, though, so my doctor prescribed Vagifem, which is a vaginal tablet. He implied that it would act locally and that I need not worry about estrogen exposure. Is this true? If not, are there nonestrogen alternatives?
A. Vaginal estrogen, whether in cream or tablet form, is absorbed into the bloodstream. A study published online in the Annals of Oncology (Jan. 26, 2006) shows that Vagifem raises estradiol levels significantly. This action might undo the benefit of medications prescribed to prevent breast cancer recurrence. Such an exposure to estrogen could well give you pause.
Women have reported success alleviating vaginal dryness by applying nonhormonal lubricants directly to the vaginal tissue. Olive oil, vitamin E capsules and Sylk (containing kiwi vine extract) are natural products that some readers have found helpful. Try a test on your forearm to make sure you are not allergic to any product before applying it.