Dancers and athletes are quite often afflicted with muscle pain and discomfort. Those of us who are less physically still sometimes need relief from muscle soreness and pain. We sometimes experience, and need treatment for sprains, bruises, and inflammation (redness, swelling, pain) caused sometimes by insect bites or arthritis.

Common treatments from decades ago usually involved a tube of a laboratory-produced cream with a rank, offensive, over-mentholated odor. At some point, the companies came up with a milder-smelling version, but still, the chemicals were things we probably would feel better not putting on our skin.

In recent years, many folks are awakening to the realities of environmental and health issues. We are more aware of alternative health treatments, which tend to be less expensive, more natural, and kinder to the earth’s environment. Now we look for other ways to treat ourselves, and the conditions which naturally come with life and living.

MedicineNet reports that Arnica can be used for reducing the swelling and pain of bruises, sprains, muscle or joint problems. It also is used to treat swelling of the veins under the skin (superficial phlebitis), and for insect bites. It can also be used in pill form. (See your health care provider for instructions for use.) According to Physicians Desktop Reference, Arnica is also sometimes called Leopard’s Bane, Wolf’s Bane, and Mountain Tobacco.

Do not use arnica if you are taking any blood thinning medications as there may be an unpleasant interaction. See your health care provider before using any allopathic (conventional) or homeopathic/holistic (natural) cures.

So, remember, the next time you suffer from muscle pain, reach for the arnica. (Now available as a natural gel in convenient tubes from your local health store.)