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 | | BOIRON'S ARNICARE GEL(R) IS A SAFE SPORTS PAIN RELIEVER FOR ATHLETES | | | Boiron | | 26/06/2007 | | | Athletes and fitness buffs concerned with the ingredients in over-the-counter topical sports pain relievers can rely on Boiron's odorless Arnicare Gel(R) for natural and safe relief of their muscle aches and pain.
Arnicare Gel does not contain methyl salicylate or camphor, common ingredients found in many sports creams which can be toxic in large doses. The active ingredient in Boiron's homeopathic gel is Arnica montana, also known as Mountain daisy, a perennial plant commonly found in the Northwestern parts of the U.S. and Central Europe. Arnica has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever. Today doctors and pharmacists recommend Arnica in more than 25 countries throughout the world.
Arnicare Gel contains 7 percent Arnica tincture, a concentration that will not trigger side effects but will still relieve pain and inflammation from trauma or muscle overexertion, as well as swelling and bruising.
Studies have shown that helenalin and dihydrohelenalin, active compounds responsible for Arnica's anti-inflammatory effects, are active at very low concentrations. (1)(2) Studies have also shown that a small fraction of these compounds are present in the skin layers when Arnica topicals are applied to undamaged skin. (3)(4)
The body's absorption of the active ingredient in any topical formula is influenced by many factors such frequency of application, size of the application area, thin skin areas, damaged or irritated skin, and, red and hot skin. These factors can increase the rate of absorption and, therefore, the risk of toxicity, according to Dr. Christophe Merville, pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Development manager at Boiron.
"As with all topical medicines, you have to review the drug facts on the packaging and take caution not to apply too frequently or too extensively on areas of the body," says Dr. Merville. "Applying a thin layer of Boiron's Arnicare Gel on the affected area three times a day is enough to provide adequate relief of muscle aches, stiffness and bruising. If you seek relief of general aches or pains all over your body then I would recommend taking Arnica in pellet form for a systemic effect."
Regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a drug(5), Arnicare Gel is manufactured according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) and the Drug Good Manufacturing Practices. Average retail price nationwide for the Arnicare Gel (2.6 oz.) is $9.89. To locate the nearest store that carries the gel and other Boiron products, call the Boiron Information Center at 1-800-BOIRON-1 (1-800-264- 7661), or e-mail info@BoironUSA.com.
1 Lyss G. Schmidt TJ, Merfort I, Pahl HL. Helenalin: an anti- inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone from Arnica selectively inhibits transcription factor NF-kappaB. Boil. Chem; 378:951-61, 1997. 2 Merfort, I. Arnica: New Insights on the Molecular Mode of Action of a Traditional Medicinal Plant (Translated from German). Forsch Komplementärmed Klass Naturheilkd 2003; 10 (suppl 1): 45-48. 3 Wagner S., Merfort, I. Skin penetration behaviour of sesquiterpene lactones from different Arnica preparations using a validated GC-MSD method. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 43 (2007) 32-38. 4 Tekko I.A., et al. Permeation of bioactive constituents from Arnica montana preparations through human skin in-vitro. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2006, 58:1167-1176. 5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sec 400.400 Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May be Marketed (CPG7132.15). SOURCE Boiron | |
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