People from different cultures do things differently, and I find exploring various perspectives both interesting and entertaining.
“I’m not sure I can dance today, my shoulder has been bothering me,” complained one of the…
Wait, quick terminology brainstorming here. Zumbists? Zumbaddicts? Okay, executive decision, let’s go with “Zumbuddy” for “Zumba classmate.”
“What happened?”
“Not sure,” he sighed. “I bought an ice pack and I use it several times a day, but it doesn’t seem to help.”
Cue in a cultural moment.
Half of the class, the true Canadians, nodded in agreement.
The other half, mostly from Latin America and Europe, recoiled in horror.
“You did what?”
“Ice? Why?”
“You’re supposed to use heat, not ice!”
I laughed because Feng and I constantly argue about the blue ice pack in the freezer. According to him, it can cure anything because the Canadian motto is “when in doubt, ice.” Sore muscles? Ice. Bump? Ice. Bruise? Ice. Tired eyes? Ice.
It works in a way because if I’m in pain and I see Feng coming with the damn ice pack in his hand, I immediately claim I’m fine, no worries, doesn’t hurt, PUT THIS THING BACK IN THE FREEZER. My body hates the cold—icing an injury is adding discomfort to pain.
He left me the ice pack when we parted ways last year in Brazil. I used it to keep food cold when travelling by bus, that’s what it’s for in my book.
The Zumbuddies debated over the benefits of ice vs. heat for a few minutes, then I had an idea.
“How about Arnica? It could help.”
Again, half of the class nodded in agreement and half looked completely puzzled.
“I used it a lot in Mexico,” a girl said.
“Same in Germany,” another confirmed.
Never heard of Arnica cream? Arnica is a flowering plant with active chemicals that can reduce swelling and decrease pain. Arnica gel is commonly used in France for bruises, contusions, bumps, etc. It’s cheap and pharmacies usually offer several over-the-counter versions—a gel, a cream and even a roll-on. I rediscovered it when Mark was a toddler because toddlers tend to fall a lot.
Cue in another cultural difference. Arnica falls into the category of homeopathic medicine, still fairly popular in Europe, especially in France and Germany. But on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s often considered “snake oil.” American literature on the subject states that there is no good scientific evidence to support the claims.
I would argue that North Americans also have their version of “snake oil medicine,” like entire aisles full of dietary supplements and other “health boosters” with fancy claims. Oh, and (legal) cannabis is also apparently a wonder drug for all kinds of conditions in Canada, because nobody smokes pot just to get high, right?
Whatever. I don’t have a dog in the fight.
I believe in science. Vaccines are amazing, antibiotics too, and big pharma isn’t (always) the enemy. But Arnica and a handful of homeopathic remedies work well on me when it comes to ailments, what can I say?
“I’ll bring you a tube on Thursday,” I offered as the class was starting. “I stock up when I go to France, Feng and Mark make a point of getting hurt at least once a day.”
Two days later, I showed up at Zumba with a tube of Arnica gel.
“Your cream is amazing!” my friend reported the following week. “I wasn’t sure about it… but it worked! And my partner was claiming it was a placebo until he tried it on his sore neck. It worked for him as well!”
A week went by.
“Juliette, I have something for you,” my Zumbuddy announced a few days later. “It’s not much but…”
He handed me a blue gift bag.
“You don’t owe me anything!”
“I appreciated your help.”
I opened it later at home. It was a big box of delicious, fancy chocolates and a lovely thank-you card.
I was really touched by the kind gesture and the few words he wrote.
So apparently, Arnica helps both the body and mind. My Zumbuddy discovered a new remedy and I’ve made a friend.
Ouuuh I like the fact you are making new friendship, how do you do ?? As for the arnica gel, we do find some here in MTL, don’t you on Ottawa ?
I… spend a lot of time at the gym, I take a class every day! I did make some really good friends at the gym, including one I see regularly outside the gym 🙂
I think I can technically find Arnica here (at Loblaws) but it’s very expensive, that’s why I bring mine from France when I have the chance. And I have yet to meet a Canadian who knows about Arnica!
Juste une petite précision de lectrice chiante : la crème à l’arnica, c’est pas de l’homéopathie, contrairement aux granules qui ne sont que du sucre. Il y a une substance active dedans ; généralement de l’huile essentielle ou de l’extrait de fleurs. C’est plutôt de la phytothérapie.
NB : je pense que l’homéopathie est une gigantesque et dangereuse arnaque
J’ai hésité sur la classification : techniquement, c’est rangé dans l’homéopathie dans les pharmacies et souvent étiqueté comme tel, mais effectivement, l’armica est un principe actif.
Je prends parfois de l’homéopathie, les granules… et j’ai plutôt une bonne expérience avec ça 😉 Mais, je comprends ta position (et je n’irai pas compter QUE sur ça..). Les dérives sont faciles, quoi.
Et d’ailleurs, dans le même genre phyto, l’huile de ricin (toute simple, pas chère, rien à ajouter), fonctionne vraiment extrêmement bien, de la même manière que la crème Arnica ! Si jamais un jour tu n’en as pas sous la main… 🙂
Une personne de mon entourage a voulu soigner son covid avec des granules plutôt que d’aller à l’hôpital (ce qu’elle a du finir par faire… pour ne pas s’étouffer). Depuis, je ne dis plus que c’est seulement inactif ou inoffensif… C’est quelque chose qui m’inquiète beaucoup !
Je note pour l’huile de ricin!
Oui, je sais que les certaines personnes sont tellement “médecine naturelle” qu’elles se mettent en danger. Ça me rend folle. Mais, d’un autre côté, j’aime bien avec cette option dans ma panoplie tout en sachant qu’évidemment, je vais voir un docteur (… enfin, j’essaie, au Canada…) en cas de problème. Pour te donner un exemple, quand Mark faisait ses dents, les pharmacies ici conseillent un gel qui anesthésie la gencive. Je trouvais ça un peu extrême (et pour avoir essayé sur ma peau, une sensation très désagréable). Je lui ai donné de l’homéopathie et ça avait l’air de marcher sur lui (il se plaignait moins). Idem pour les verrues. En gros, ça mange pas de pain pour une première étape, faut juste pas se limiter à ça.
Je ne connais pas l’arnica (peut-être que mes parents n’utilisaient pas qd nous étions en France… ou je ne m’en souvient pas?). Ton histoire me rapelle un peu celle de mon beau-père au Brésil qui me conseillait un gargarisme à base de plantes contre le mal de gorge (Malvona)… J’étais très sceptique jusqu’à ce que j’essaye et c’était pratiquement miraculeux!!!
Il y a pas mal d’arnica au Brésil aussi, j’en ai vu dans toutes les pharmacies. Je retiens pour Malvona, ça peut servir!
Aww i love it!
I never used Arnica before. My grandma would use Vicks on us for body aches and when we are feeling sick. I still use it and it works. When I used to have braids, I would put Vicks on my scalp (a little) when it was hurting and it was amazing. No more pain!
Agreed for grandmother’s wisdom and Vicks!