Arnica Tincture, Alcohol Content & Operation?

Question

I am going in for an operation very soon and have been advised to take Arnica as this will help with the bruising. I cannot take the pills as these have lactose in and I am lastose intolerant. I discovered Arnica Tincture but of course this contains alcohol and obviously when having an operation alcohol can affect this. My question is; is the alcohol content in a tincture small enough to not affect my operation or should I avoid taking it all together? Thanks.

Answer 1

I thought Bach remedies where in brandy not homoeopathic remedies. This should be fine as you would dilute it anyway, also check around different brands of tables as I am surprised that the tables contain lactose, see a proper homoeopath as their suppliers should be providing pure tables, as mine did. If your looking at Wella tables forget them they make hair products best not tablets.

Answer 2

I would definitely advise taking the Arnica in any form before the operation as it is very useful for supporting your body and speeding up the healing. There definitely isn't enough alcohol in the tincture to cause any problems - it's only mere drops.

I am surprised that there is lactose in the take by mouth form or arnica. Perhaps you should research around because I am sure there are brands that don't. And maybe you could find out if there is actually enough lactose going to be ingested to bother you. It really is a tiny, tiny amount. But I am sure you know how much you can tolerate.

Good luck with the surgery and the healing.

Answer 3

Arnica is toxic and should never be taken internally. The arnica remedies you can buy in chemists and health food shops are homeopathic preparations. Arnica tincture is used as a "mother tincture" for diluting down into a homeopathic preparation. Lactose is used as an excipient in these preparations.
If you contact one of the homeopathic manufacturing companies (do a web search) you might be able to get a non-lactose containing preparation.

Answer 4

Arnica Tincture is not meant for internal use undiluted. Although tablets contain lactose you can also get homeopathic arnica in the form of pills (sometimes called pillules), granules or crystals. These are made of sucrose, not lactose and would be more suitable for you.

Answer 5

There should not be enough alcohol in an arnica tincture to matter, but you need to discuss use of any medication, herbal or not, with your surgeon and/or anesthesiologist before surgery.

Arnica is usually best used topically anyway. You could take the pills with a lactase tablet (such as LactAid) to neutralize the effect of the lactose as well. But don't take anything you surgeon does not know about and approve.

Answer 6

Arnica, taken internally, does help with bruising, and more.

But, most Arnica (oils and some tinctures) are not to be taken internally. Be sure your tincture says, specifically, for internal use.

For a liquid Arnica, for internal use (and without lactose), you might look at
http://www.abchomeopathy.com

Don't use Arnica on any broken skin. Until your incision heals, you might use Comfrey or Calendula creams.

Best to you.

Answer 7

Perhaps another option is to buy Arnica gel you just rub that on the bruise so then you wouldn't have to take it internallyand it does work.

Answer 8

not enough to effect the operation theres also a gel you can apply to the scar itself. it works really good

Answer 9

have you told this to the doctor?