In one RCT involving individuals with hand osteoarthritis, arnica gel (50 grams of tincture per 100 grams of gel, three times daily) was comparable to ibuprofen 5% gel in improving hand functional capacity, pain intensity, number of painful joints, and duration and severity of morning stiffness.[1] Similar results were reported in another non-randomized study using a fresh-plant tincture of arnica twice daily for knee osteoarthritis.[2] However, it’s important to note that neither study included a placebo comparison.
References
- ^Widrig R, Suter A, Saller R, Melzer JChoosing between NSAID and arnica for topical treatment of hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind study.Rheumatol Int.(2007-Apr)
- ^Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter AArnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial.Adv Ther.(2002)