One of the easiest and most helpful remedies to keep on hand is Arnica Montana, derived from a Swiss mountain flower. Arnica tincture has been in use for hundreds of years in Europe to help reduce swelling of bruises and inflammations. It is available homeopathically in both pellet form and as an external, topical ointment.
Here’s an example where Arnica helped virtually immediately. One day, a friend and her son were visiting our home. In the midst of playing, the boy got hit hard on the eye with a ball. He was in a great deal of pain, and the area around the eye began to swell and darken. We gave him one dose of an Arnica pellet, and the pain subsided almost immediately. Ten minutes later, there was virtually no visible swelling or darkening around the eye, and he had already returned to playing.
Think of Arnica whenever soft tissue gets bruised. It is useful to take a dose before dental work or the night before surgery, as well as immediately afterwards, to reduce the inflammation and pain that can result. Healers sometimes refer to Arnica as the “homeopathic aspirin”, and for good reason!