The Secret Ingredient: Pain Relieving Benefits of Arnica Oil

By now, we’re all well aware of the benefits of massage. From lymphatic drainage to the healing power of touch, massage is an essential part of living well and any massage therapist will tell you that the benefits of this ancient practice can be magnified when paired with the right essential oil. While lavender helps to promote relaxation and citrus can reinvigorate the mind, arnica oil is our oil of the moment thanks to its uncanny ability to ease aches and relieve pain, making it perfect for those of us who spend hours hunched over a desk at work or who spend hours pushing our bodies to their limits at the gym.

Derived from the arnica flower of the sunflower family, arnica oil helps to reduce inflammatory pain when applied topically. Typically it’s used for the pain and swelling associated with bruises, sprains, pulls, muscle aches, and even arthritis, since it helps to boost circulation and speed up the healing process. The anti-inflammatory powers are also used to treat acne in some cases. In the past, arnica was touted for its ability to help detoxify your system when taken orally, but it can actually be incredibly toxic when ingested so we’d recommend against it unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Interested in trying arnica oil in a safer way? Try one of these products below!

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil

This stuff is my personal jam. As a writer, after a long day of work, my hands sometimes feel shot. I like to use the hand massage tips we have on The 365 and a little bit of Weleda Arnica Massage Oil ($24.99) after a particularly deadline-filled workday and I’m left feeling as good as new! In addition to arnica, this oil has a touch of lavender and rosemary so I can calm down my mind as I calm down my muscles.

Naturopathica Arnica Muscle & Joint Gel

Naturopathica Arnica Muscle & Joint Gel ($28) helps to deliver fast relief of sore muscles and joints making it a go-to after a hard workout. Thanks to the addition of menthol the gel cools on contact and the concentrated mineral blend of magnesium, copper, and zinc help to deliver targeted relief. Just massage a dime-sized amount of gel into the problem area, or ask your loved one to help if it’s a hard to reach spot like the upper-back.

Eminence Organics Calm Skin Arnica Masque

If your inflammation isn’t due to sore muscles but instead caused by blemishes and breakouts, Eminence Organics Calm Skin Arnica Masque ($54) may be perfect for you. The masque was specially formulated to help soothe redness and reduce inflammation thanks to the blend of arnica with marigold, shea butter, ivy leaf, horse chestnut, and a proprietary Biocomplex™ blend of antioxidants.

In “The Secret Ingredient!” we showcase a mix of popular and not-so-well-known power-player ingredients found in your favorite products and detail their benefits, unveil some fun facts, and share products and treatments you can find them in! Have an ingredient you want to learn more about? Tell us what it is below!