In late 2014, in overdoing things with helping our older son with his tennis training, I developed a stubborn case of inflammation in my elbow.
I tried everything I could to facilitate healing of inflamed tendons, but my foolish refusal to take an extended period of time off from supporting our son's training prevented my elbow from fully healing.
My frustration led me to experiment with a number of natural extracts which I hoped would help accelerate recovery. I tried several combinations of dozens of compounds, and finally, I found a topical blend that changed the momentum of my elbow for the better. With this blend, I went from having pain and inflammation for several months to experiencing measurable relief and improved ability to strengthen the area within about a week of daily use.
I shared this topical blend with our son's tennis coach to help him with a chronic wrist issue. Some of our son's tennis friends used it to address issues in the lower back and hips. And I had a number of others try this formula for recurrent pain, inflammation, and stiffness in other regions, including the ankles, knees, hands, and neck.
In seeing how effective this blend is in facilitating recovery from chronic inflammation, I decided to produce a larger lot of it to share with our readers via our catalogue. But I share it with an important note, which is that this blend is meant to help those who cannot do the stretching, strengthening, and range of motion work needed to overcome chronic pain and stiffness and improve mobility. Ideally, this anti-inflammation cream is used to facilitate enough improvement with chronic issues to allow a person to adopt a regular practice of stretching, foam rolling, and mobility work.
The main ingredient of this blend is wildcrafted Arnica montana, a natural extract that has long been used in herbal medicine circles. In 2013, the Cochrane Collaboration completed a systematic review of topical herbal remedies for treating osteoarthritis and concluded that "Arnica gel probably improves pain and function as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do." (1)
I worked with a professional lab to combine Arnica montana with MSM, essential oils - Frankincense, Peppermint, and Tea Tree - and several other natural compounds to ensure optimal penetration and effectiveness in facilitating movement of lymphatic fluids through a congested area.
The final formulation - named Arnica Plus - looks like this:
Water, Organic Aloe Vera, Wildcrafted Arnica Montana Organic Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Coconut Oil, Menthol, Frankincense Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Camphor, Tea Tree Essential Oil, Shea Butter, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Green Tea, Citric Acid.
The result is a moisturizing cream that is paraben-free and highly effective in facilitating recovery from chronic inflammation and associated pain and stiffness. Each jar contains a net weight of 4 ounces (114 grams) of Arnica Plus.
For optimal results, I suggest gently massaging Arnica Plus cream into your area of discomfort 3 times a day for up to two weeks, then on an as-needed basis.
When the weather is warmer or if you prefer a thicker cream, our Arnica Plus inflammation cream can be kept in the refrigerator to firm up the blend, as the coconut oil within will make the cream thicker at lower temperatures.
Please note that Arnica Plus is for external use only. Be sure to avoid contact with your eyes, and discontinue use if irritation occurs. Arnica Plus should not be applied to cuts. It's fine to apply to a bruised area, but it is best to avoid with burns or open wounds of any size. As with all topical creams, it's prudent to consult with your physician before using while pregnant or with children under 13 years of age.
I crafted Arnica Plus for those who need a change of momentum with chronic pain and stiffness issues like osteoarthritis, as well as chronic injuries like tendinitis and tendinosis.
When you improve enough to engage in stretching, foam rolling, strengthening, and general movement patterns to improve your mobility, please be sure to visit our YouTube Video library for ideas on how to design a self care program for your circumstances.
Please click here to view the label for Arnica Plus:
Reference:
1. http://www.cochrane.org/CD010538/MUSKEL_topical-herbal-therapy-for-treating-osteoarthritis
Add Your Review
Connie Tyler on 07/23/2024 05:43pm
The little finger on my right hand had become inflamed at the first joint and was painful to bend. The joint was red and swollen. It was from an old injury I received 60 years ago. Last night, I applied a little dab of the Arnica Plus into the joint area and it is now the next day and late afternoon, and my finger is still without inflammation or pain. This is one remedy that will always be in our medicine closet.
Ray Heitman on 06/17/2024 05:14pm
I will be brief. This cream works! The BEST I have ever used (and I%u2019ve tried many). This cream has ingredients I feel safe applying to my skin. No reservations. Highly recommend.
Roberta Harris on 11/15/2023 02:59pm
I am SO impressed with the Arnica Plus cream! I used it on my lower back to ease pain and also for the arthritis pain in my knees and found it really helped. Five weeks ago I had to have a total knee replacement and I don't know how I would have done without the cream after the surgery! Every day, at bedtime and during the night, I massaged it onto my leg avoiding the long suture line until it healed. It was incredible and I am still using it during the day. Now my husband is using it for a sore hand from doing a lot of yard work. He is also getting relief. This cream is THE BEST and I am so very grateful to Dr. Kim for carrying it. Thank you!!
Megan on 09/28/2023 05:04am
I received this as a bonus when ordering other things from Dr. Kim. I set it aside as I had no immediate use for it, then put it in my hockey bag, just in case. A few of my teammates had used arnica from time to time, and one of us usually had some on hand.
After one game, a player's hand was hurting because her hand got hit hard with the puck, and her hand was starting to throb. I had forgotten about the Arnica Plus in my bag, until my eye fell upon it, and offered it to her. She thanked me, applied some, and mentioned how it helped right away.
Another hockey season is fast approaching, and I'll be sure to keep it in my bag.
Thank you for such a great product!
Constance Tyler on 03/01/2022 01:12pm
I've been recovering from a bout of covid and after having to sit a lot due to being weak, I developed severe back pain and last night, I was at the point of tears. I had my hubby rub the Arnica Plus into the hurting area and within minutes, I had relief for the rest of the evening and through the night. This is one pain relieving remedy that I do not want to ever run out of.
Pat on 02/01/2020 01:04pm
This cream really works to relieve my knee pain. It is cooling and really is effective on the pain. It is more the consistency of a lotion, so I have to be careful not to spill, but package says it will be more solid like a cream if you keep it chilled. I have reordered this because I do not want to run out!
Patricia on 01/25/2020 03:54pm
I love this cream but lost about half of it to the packaging. I shared it with my physical therapist who opened it expecting it to be a cream and it ran out all over his leg. I made he same mistake one day in a hurry. Could it be in a tube or a pump jar?
Jo on 09/28/2018 08:16am
Of the many products I've used for chronic lower back pain, Dr. Ben Kim's Arnica Plus is by far the best. Applied several times daily it significantly reduces the pain day and night. As a result I sleep more soundly and wake up more rested. It has also healed a major bruise and minor blemishes, and has become my go-to remedy. Thank you for this amazing product.
- Jo
Brenda on 08/10/2018 11:43am
I swear by this cream. I keep it on hand for intense hip pain caused by fibromyalgia that comes and goes. I also use it when I have an episode of irritable bladder coming on and rub it over my abdomen (over bladder and top of pubis bone area). This has nipped things for me many times. I recently started a rash around my waist which was painful and itchy and have been using this cream for that (knock on wood it's been better). I love that frankincense oil is in this product as this is wonderful for inflammation and anxiety. Top notch product out there, thank you Dr. Kim!
Kalina on 01/10/2018 09:44am
I'm a circus artist and get lots of bruises and over worked muscles. I love this Arnica cream it is by far the best I have ever found! I notice significant improvement only a couple hours after applying it. Thank you Dr. Kim for such a great product! I tell all of my circus friends about it.
Janice Gibson on 11/21/2017 08:27pm
I love this stuff! I received a jar of Arnica Plus with an order and thought why not try it on my knee? Four and a half months ago, I fell and bruised the muscles above my knee on the right. Every since then my knee area works, but stays extremely tight. I followed the instructions and within only 1 1/2 weeks of the 2 wks the inflammation resided and there is absolutely no more tightness! It feels like I never fell at all! No kidding! And I have been telling everyone all about Arnica Plus ever since!
Victoria Ann on 08/27/2016 02:34pm
Dr. Kim's arnica cream helped to heal a bursa on the bottom of my foot, along with lots of icing and a special removable pad. My foot doctor and chiropractor both approved my using the arnica cream. I used it twice daily, in the morning and evening before bed. The more diligent I was, the better it worked. I am very happy with my purchase.
Lynn on 07/25/2016 08:49pm
My husband has been using your arnica cream and it has helped him so much. He takes no other medicine for his chronic back pain. We love this cream it has helped him so much.
(5.0 on 13)