Do Arnica and Bromelain REALLY help with swelling or is it just hogwash?

Hi ~ Great question. There are so many supplements out there it can be hard to know which ones actually work! At our practice we do recommend Arnica Montana prior to many procedures. I feel it does help with bruising less so with swelling. It is also important to stop other supplements and medications that can increase your risk for bleeding. Good Luck!

Yes! Really, really does work! At the same time avoid salt, alcohol, aspirin/Advil, Vitamin E to decrease swelling and post op bleeding.
But the arnica (sublingual) and Bromelain helps to decrease postop edema/swelling.
Also, lymphatic drainage will also help to decrease swelling post-op...start about 10 days to two weeks postop. Good luck! 

Thank you for the great question. My opinion on this is basically "every little bit helps." There is a marginal improvement in the realm of swelling and bruising with Arnica and Bromelain. I give a combination formula to all of my eyelid surgery, face and neck lift, and rhinoplasty patients. The restrictions around medications and supplements that can thin your blood is even more important, however. We tell patients to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, Vit E, fish oil, Omega-3, ginger/ginseng/ginko and St. John's wort. Take care and best of luck!

There have never been any large-scale scientific studies, but in my practice, I always recommend that patients take Arnica and sometimes Bromelain.  Why?  Because postoperatively, my patient rarely have bruising beyond what I would expect as the result of my careful and precise surgery. Here is a helpful fact:  it *has* been proven that placebos work -- and even if a patient is given a placebo and told it is a placebo, it still works.

Consensus with respect to these homeopathic drugs is hard to come by.    Studies of these drugs may not achieve the gold standard of a double blinded study with appropriate controls.  However, with the information available, it does appear that these do help.  Best wishes, Dr. T.  

This is a very good question, and I have not formed a definitive opinion on either supplement. There are as yet not good studies that indicate that bromelain and arnica are helpful, nor are there any standard preparations (in other words, the dosages are up to the manufacturer. Nevertheless, I have noticed anecdotally some benefit in certain patients. My attitude is, it can't hurt and it does no harm.

Hello,All of my colleagues are expressing their opinion.  This is no different then the typical patient that swears by taking antibiotics to cure their cold; we all know that antibiotics don't have any affect on colds and flus!  Additionally, many of my colleagues need to recuse themselves of their opinions because they sell it in their office. The truth is that a vast majority of well designed trials show no benefit of arnica/bromelain over placebo. Those that did were poorly designed or had low statistical value. The real key to minimal bruising after a face lift is the surgeon.  His precision and attention to detail will minimize bruising. Really.  Best of luck!

Hello Nwmouse! - I have my patients take Arnica and Bromelain prior to surgery to help with bruising and swelling.  I do believe that it helps.  Arnica can be started the day before surgery or right after surgery.  The bromelain can be started 2-3 days before surgery.  Best of luck!

Some of my patients swear by it to cut the bruising and swelling time down.  Since it's homeopathic to stimulate healing, it doesn't hurt. We also recommend staying away from any blood thinning medications and alcohol prior to any injectable or surgery.  Be well!

I have many facelift patients who have used Arnica Montana and Bromelain at the time of their surgery. Most if not all of them believe the compounds helped them recover faster and I do not believe I have ever heard any negative effects to the patients while taking the products.