lola's secret beauty blog: Homeopathic Cream

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

Nature's Way makes a wide range of homeopathic remedies including effective topicals. I have used Arnica on bruises since I was a kid, and it is so effective that it has long been a staple in my household. This season I have been using their Sssssting Stop Gel to treat all of the bug bites I am getting while enjoying the outdoors, and periodically their Arniflora to heal bruises.

I am not a medical doctor, and I am not dispensing medical advice about these homeopathic remedies. It is important to see your doctor before using any topical products on the skin to make sure that you don't have a more serious conditions that could be exacerbated by the use of these products. Make sure that your doctor does a thorough skin check and physical to determine whether you have health issues, skin anomalies, strange moles, discolorations cancer or precancerous lesions that require medical treatment.

Boericke & Tafel® Ssssting Stop® Gel: "Relieves Itchy, Red, and Painful Insect Bites Uh oh! Insect bites can be itchy, painful, and red – until you discover Ssssting Stop, that is. This homeopathic gel, made with citronella, helps alleviate the pain and itch of insect bites and stings, plus fever blisters, cold sores, and the itch of plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.** It’s a must-have for any outdoor adventures."

Directions: Adults & children 2 years of age and older: apply to affected area. Repeat as needed. Children under 2 years of age: consult a doctor. Patch test recommended on sensitive skin.

Warning: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes or broken skin. Do not use if hypersensitive to this or any ingredients in this product. Breast-feeding women should not apply to breast area. Stop use and ask a doctor if skin irritation, rash or other allergic reaction develops; condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days. These could be signs of a serious condition. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a healthcare professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, seek medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Store at room temperature 20-25˚C (68-77˚F). Keep in a dry place out of direct sunlight.

Active Ingredients: Echinacea angustifolia 1X (Inflammation††), Ledum palustre 2X (Pain Urtica dioica 1X (Joint/Tendon Pain††). Other Ingredients: Citronella Oil, Ethyl Alcohol, Eucalyptus Oil, Jojoba Oil, Polyacrylic Acid, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Witch Hazel Distillate.

Boericke & Tafel® Arniflora® Arnica Gel: "Feeling stiff and sore post-workout? If you overdid it, reach for Arniflora to relieve muscle pain and stiffness.** Arniflora contains an 8% tincture of Arnica montana 1X, often used to temporarily relieve the after-effects of falls, blows, sports injuries, and overexertion, as well as swelling and bruising.** The gel is clean and pleasant to use, not sticky or greasy. Simply massage in or use with a compress for a little relief when you need it most."

Directions: Apply thin layer to affected area. Massage gently or use compress. For best results, use promptly after injury or trauma occurs. Adults & children 2 years of age and older: apply to affected area up to 4 times daily. Children under 2 years of age: consult a doctor. Patch test recommended on sensitive skin.

Warning: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes or broken skin. Do not use if hypersensitive to this or any ingredients in this product. Breast-feeding women should not apply to breast area. Stop use and ask a doctor if: skin irritation, rash or other allergic reaction develops; condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days; symptoms clear up and occur again within a few days. These could be signs of a serious condition. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a healthcare professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, seek medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Store at room temperature 20-25˚C (68-77˚F) in a dry place out of direct sunlight.

Ingredients: 8% Arnica montana 1X, Purified Water, Ethyl Alcohol, Witch Hazel Distillate, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide.

Boericke & Tafel® Triflora® Gel: "Relief for Arthritis and Joint Pain. Specially formulated to relieve aches and pains associated with arthritis and tendinitis, Triflora is a homeopathic topical gel that gives you soothing relief when you need it. Triflora temporarily relieves aches, paints, and stiffness in joints, tendons, and muscles."

Directions: Adults & children 2 years of age & older: apply to affected area up to 4 times daily. Rub in gently. Children under 2 years of age: consult a doctor. Patch test recommended on sensitive skin.

Active Ingredients: 5% Ledum palustre 2X, Contains 12.5% Urtica dioica 1X for Joint/Tendon Pain, Contains 2.5% Rhus tox 4X for Inflammation. Inactive Ingredients: Carbomer, Ethyl Alcohol, Pine Needle Oil, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Witch Hazel Distillate.

Boericke & Tafel® Florasone®: "Relief for Itches and Rashes. It’s a homeopathic alternative to cortisone creams. Florasone offers relief for itches and rashes and can be used to help soothe dry skin, itching and inflammation from eczema, rashes, and allergies.** It contains a tincture of Cardiospermum halicacabum, a flowering tropical vine that has been used as a medicine in India and Africa for centuries. Florasone is a non-greasy, fast-absorbing cream with a pleasant fragrance."

Directions: Adults & children 2 years of age and older: apply to affected area up to 4 times daily. Rub in gently. Children under 2 years of age: consult a doctor. Patch test recommended on sensitive skin.

Warning: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and broken skin. Do not use if hypersensitive to any ingredients in this product. Breast-feeding women should not apply to breast area. Stop use and ask a doctor if: increased skin irritation, rash or other allergic reaction develops; condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days; symptoms clear up and occur again within a few days. These could be signs of a serious condition. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a healthcare professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, seek medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Store at room temperature 20-25°C (68-77°F) in a dry place out of direct sunlight.

Active Ingredients: 10% Cardiospermum halicacabum tincture: Eczema, itching, rash, skin irritation and inflammation. Inactive Ingredients: Benzyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glycol Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Mineral Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Purified Water, Stearyl Heptanoate.

Overall Assessment: While I have only used Arniflora Arnica Gel and Ssssting Stop, and do not have the need for the others, I can say that the former quickly healed a bruise on my leg (where I banged it doing some heavy lifting), and the the latter has given me a lot of itch relief from bug bites I have sustained outdoors this summer.

$8.49-$16.99 from Nature's Way, Amazon and Walmart (Affiliate Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

Boiron Arnicare FootCare Foot Pain Relief is a wonderful discovery that is great to use on sore feet. If you are on your feet all day at work, or they are sore after a vigorous workout, this magical cream offers serious relief. I like to massage it into my feet at the end of a long day, and it works very quickly to give real relief. This homeopathic formula also moisturizes the skin while reducing swelling and pain, and the Arnica fades bruising from minor injuries.

According to Boiron,

Boiron Arnicare FootCare is a moisturizing and soothing cream ideal for foot massage. Made with fresh mountain daisies (Arnica montana) from the French Alps, this homeopathic medicine relieves foot pain and other aches due to overuse and minor injuries. It also reduces pain, swelling and discoloration from bruises associated with sprains and strains.* Try it for foot rubs and heel, arch, ankle, and joint pain. Arnicare FootCare does not contain menthol, camphor, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin. It works without the traditional strong medicine smell of topical pain relievers, and is free of fragrances, dyes, and parabens. It does not mask symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem. Arnicare FootCare is available over the counter in a 4.2 oz tube.

Benefits and Features:

- The single active ingredient is Arnica montana, a mountain daisy.

- Ideal for foot massage and heel, arch, ankle, and joint pain.

- Soothes, moisturizes, and spreads smoothly for foot rubs.

- No traditional strong medicine smell; does not contain menthol, camphor, methyl salicylate, or capsaicin.

- Free of fragrances, dyes, and parabens.

- Won’t mask symptoms of a more serious condition.

Overall Assessment: I have used Boiron products since I was a child, and they remain staples in my household as well. This is my favorite go-to product for sore feet at the end of a very long day of work, and it is the perfect after a very long and vigorous hike.

$15.99 for 4.2 oz. from Boiron, Amazon, Walmart and iHerb (Affiliate Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.