“When I was competing on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ I relied on the Arnicare topical and sublingual [pellets] to keep my sore muscles at bay,” says Hart. “Now I use it when I workout.”

Our Arnicare topicals and pellets work to relieve muscle pain and stiffness due to minor injuries, overexertion and falls and also reduce swelling and discoloration from bruises. You can find them in three topical forms—cream, gel and ointment—and as oral pellets.

Melissa Joan Hart is an actress, writer, television director and producer, singer and businesswoman. Audiences first fell in love with Melissa on “Clarissa Explains It All” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” She currently stars in the hit sitcom “Melissa and Joey” on ABC Family. The summer premiere of “Melissa and Joey” airs next Wednesday, June 29 at 8 p.m.

Just ask Pierre Barrieu, the team’s assistant coach and head fitness coach. For years, Barrieu has been treating his players with Boiron’s Arnica-based medicines, like Sportenine for cramps, exhaustion and muscular fatigue, and Arnica pellets and Arnicare topicals for muscle aches, stiffness and bruising.

“I have been progressively introducing Sportenine, Arnicare and [Arnica] pellets since 2002, right before the World Cup in Korea and Japan. Two World Cups later, it has now become a part of the players’ regimen,” says Barrieu. “Players understand the value of [the medicines], from the pain relief to the prevention of cramps. Boiron products are used every day during the week—training days, recovery days and treatment, and in the locker room before games. Sportenine in particular is now part of the pre-game ritual for some of our players.”

Originally from Thionville, France (about four hours north of Boiron’s headquarters in Lyon), Barrieu is a former professional team handball player, and holds a Master’s in Sports Science and several coaching certificates. He was the fitness coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2002-2006, spent the 2007 major league soccer season with the New York Red Bulls, and then rejoined the U.S. team in 2008.

The U.S. Men’s Team returns to the field in a match against Poland tomorrow (October 9) in Chicago, Ill., and on October 12 against Colombia in Chester, Pa. They then travel to South Africa for a match on November 17.  We ‘re sure there will be plenty of Arnicare and Sportenine on hand!

Congrats to last weekend’s Arnicare Gel & soccer ball giveaway winners – Shaun C., Shelby L., Cristina W., and Pat F.!

Follow @BoironUSA and @Arnicare this weekend for your LAST CHANCE to win your own official size & weight soccer ball and Arnicare Gel!  Our final five winners will be announced next week!

And don’t forget to tune in this weekend to watch Spain and the Netherlands compete in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

Follow @BoironUSA and @Arnicare this weekend for the chance to win your own official size & weight soccer ball and Arnicare Gel!  Our next five winners will be announced early next week!

Follow @BoironUSA and @Arnicare this weekend for the chance to win your own official size & weight soccer ball and Arnicare Gel!  Our next five winners will be announced early next week!

And don’t forget to cheer on Team USA in their match against Ghana this Saturday in the Round of 16!

U.S. Growth

Homeopathic medicine has been practiced in the United States since the mid 19th century.. Today, the homeopathic drug market has grown to become a multimillion-dollar industry in the U.S., according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has been regulating homeopathic medicines as drugs since 1938,¹ when the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was passed.

Use by Famous People

Homeopathic medicine has been practiced by several well-known figures, according to The Homeopathic Revolution (by Dana Ullman).

Darwin, several American presidents, sports figures David Beckham and Martina Navratilova and musicians Cher, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney are just a few examples. Also benefiting from homeopathic medicine are movie and TV celebrities Catherine Zeta-Jones,  Jennifer Aniston, Tobey Maguire and more.

A Popular Treatment

So why is homeopathic medicine so popular?

Homeopathic treatments have been used for more than 200 years, building a remarkable safety record and generating a great body of knowledge. Because homeopathic medicines are reliable and safe, they are an excellent first choice when self-medicating.

These medicines also have no known side effects, not even drowsiness or jitteriness, and they don’t interact with other medication.

Homeopathic medicines don’t mask symptoms, allowing doctors and patients to easily detect and respond to symptoms of serious illnesses if they arise.

Importance of Packaging

The packaging of these medicines includes the specific diseases, ailments or symptoms for which the product is to be used, the concentration of substances contained in the product, the recommended dosage and the mode of application.

These clear specifications make choices easier for consumers and guidance easier for retailers.

^{1.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sec 400.400 Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May be Marketed (CPG7132.15). Available at: www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/cpgdrg/cpg400-400.html.}