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Arnica montana not shown to reduce ecchymosis after upper blepharoplasty
Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;26(6):395-397.
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Arnica montana, a homeopathic flowering herb, did not reduce ecchymosis after upper blepharoplasty, a study found.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study randomized 57 eyelids of 30 male patients who underwent upper blepharoplasty to receive either Arnica montana or placebo. Patients were evaluated at 3 days and 7 days postop.
Arnica montana dosage consisted of a single 500-mg capsule taken orally three times on the operative day, followed by a 500-mg capsule taken three times daily for 3 days thereafter.
The investigators found no statistically significant differences between patients prescribed homeopathic Arnica montana or placebo.
Measurements were conducted subjectively through rank ordering of photographs from least ecchymotic to most ecchymotic and objectively through an evaluation of the surface area of observable ecchymosis, according to the study.
The study authors also reported no difference in ease of recovery or in the rate of recovery. However, they observed a wide variety in the severity of ecchymosis seen after upper blepharoplasty, possibly related to anatomical and dietary variances.
No adverse effects or events were observed during the study.