Homeopathic Remedies by Boericke Tafel

About Boericke & Tafel As pharmacists, Boericke & Tefal has been privileged to serve the founders and pioneers of homeopathy, including Christian Hering and James Tyler Kent. In a letter dated July 30, 1903 recommending B &T Skinner potencies to another physician, Kent wrote: I am the one who urged the firm of Boericke & Tafel to put in a Skinner potentizer...I have a full set of Skinner potencies- they work well - I know how they are made. In 1980 and 1990, the growing interest in the environment, natural products, and the individual assuming responsibility for his or her own health initiated a renaissance in homeopathy. The number of practitioners increased, study groups were formed, naturopathic medical colleges developed courses in homeopathy, homeopathic medicines became available nationwide in health food stores and a small number of pharmacies, the Food and Drug Administration issued a Compliance Policy Guide regulating the manufacture and marketing of homeopathic medicines, and several European homeopathic pharmaceutical firms entered the U.S. market. What Is Boericke Tafel? Native to Europe and southern Russia, Boericke Tafel Arnica is a perennial plant with bright yellow, daisylike flowers. Some of its common names include leopard bane, wolf bane, and mountain tobacco. Boericke Tafel Arnica has a long history of use in herbal healing, as do other Boericke Tafel Arnica species grown in the western part of North America. The dried flower heads and occasionally the underground stems and roots are the source of medicinal Boericke Tafel Arnica. Although Boericke Tafel Arnica has been used for many years both internally and externally, research has raised serious concerns about its safety as an internal remedy, and experts worldwide now strongly discourage its oral use. But applied topically, Boericke Tafel Arnica still enjoys wide popularity, particularly in Europe. It is also the most widely studied formulation in homeopathy, a system of medicine that uses tremendously diluted amounts of the active substance. Health Benefits Boericke Tafel Arnica BoerickeTafel Arnica in such topical formulations as creams, gels, and ointments is extremely popular (well-known products include Boericke Tafel Arnica Kneipp Gel and Vasotonin Gel, for example). A 1981 German study identified the plant active ingredients as sesquiterpene lactones. These substances act as counterirritants, which mean that they produce a stimulating sensation that boosts circulation in the area where the Boericke Tafel Arnica is applied. The herb active ingredients also have mild pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial actions. One of Boericke Tafel Arnica primary components, helenalin, also has a strong anti-edemic (anti-swelling) effect. Given these qualities, it little surprise that traditional healers recommend applying a cold compress soaked in tincture of Boericke Tafel Arnica to reduce bruising. Historically, herbalists used Boericke Tafel Arnica to prepare teas and tinctures they believed would benefit a wide range of ailments, from anemia and depression to heart disease. But it was eventually discovered that even small amounts of Boericke Tafel Arnica (except for super-diluted homeopathic formulations) can irritate mucous membranes, cause vomiting and diarrhea, and lead to drowsiness. Although Boericke Tafel Arnica is poisonous when taken internally, it is used in highly diluted homeopathic formulations. In these tiny tablets or pellets, which are dissolved under the tongue, the Boericke Tafel Arnica has been diluted literally hundreds of times, so at homeopathic levels poisoning is virtually impossible. Recent studies have cast doubt on the remedy effectiveness, however. A 1998 Archives of Surgery review of placebo-controlled clinical trials of homeopathic Boericke Tafel Arnica concluded that on balance, there is no solid evidence that Boericke Tafel Arnica offers any real benefit. The authors further noted that the more scientifically rigorous, or best-designed, studies tended to show the negative findings. Boericke Tafel Arnica is also used in more than 100 cosmetic formulations that appear in a wide range of products, including hair tonics, anti-dandruff products, and perfumes. A 2001 article in the International Journal of Toxicology reported that so far, there is not enough data to assess the safety of using Boericke Tafel Arnica in cosmetics. Specifically, Boericke Tafel Arnica is most commonly used for: * Muscle strains and sprains. Boericke Tafel Arnica is widely applied to ease the inflammation and pain of muscle strains and sprains caused by overuse or injury. Although results have been contradictory, some studies concluded that for a short period immediately following a marathon run, Boericke Tafel Arnica reduced muscle soreness. The effect was only temporary, however. * Arthritic joints. Inflamed and painful joints are said to benefit from Boericke Tafel Arnica as well. Using the herb in a hot, moist compress may be helpful for arthritis pain, though it is not known whether it is simply the heat or the Boericke Tafel Arnica that provides the relief. * Psoriasis and eczema. Numerous herbal formulas for these persistent skin disorders contain extracts of Boericke Tafel Arnica, which may help given its anti-inflammatory and numbing qualities. * Insect bites. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, topical Boericke Tafel Arnica is believed to reduce the swelling and pain caused by insect bites. It may also help prevent infection. Forms * tincture * spray * ointment * oil * liquid * gel * cream Arnica oil