Anyone going to try Arnica or Bromelain?

I have been reading some encouraging reports about Arnica as an anti inflammatory and the Dr. told me I could take it the morning of the surgery because it melts under your tongue.
Plastic surgeons use it on their patients to keep the swelling down.
I really want to use as many herbals as possible. I heard Bromelain can thin your blood so not to use that before the surgery.
Bromelain is a pineapple base and so I was also recommended to eat fresh pineapple the week before surgery for anti inflammatory. Everyone at home is looking very hungrily at my pineapple, I may or may not share.
So, has any ever used either of these products and did you notice any results?

I used Arnica and Bromelain. I think they help.

Good luck,
Lynn
LSH
47yo

Even natural anti-inflammatories can thin blood so do your research first to be careful. Found this from the University of Maryland: Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes found in pineapples ( Ananas comosus ). Bromelain supplements contain active substances that aid digestion and help reduce inflammation.

So I would just be careful with eating a lot of something before surgery that can cause excessive bleeding when coupled with blood thinners, even if you're not taking blood thinners. Just me though. I'm pretty careful about stuff like that.

Kara

My DH is a Chiropractor, and he put me on Bromelain about a wk. after surgery, because Motrin was causing bad heartburn. There are precautions... you should not take it if you are on any blood thinners, ie: Coumaden or Warfarin (sp?). Plus, you must take it on an empty stomach, or it becomes a nice digestive aid instead of an anti-inflammatory. I would not take it before surgery, nor immediately afterward, but later on, when chances of bleeding are lessened, it should be ok. I haven't taken Arnica, but only because we don't have any on hand. If you have questions, ask a Dr. of Chiropractic (DC) or a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) for advice. Many MDs don't know much about natural alternatives, though you could ask.

DaVinci RAVH+ BSO 1/2/09
Hyperplasia with focal atypia, pelvic congestion syndrome, and anenomyosis