Joe De Livera, a well-respected homeopath and my friend, believed that homeopathic Arnica montana could be a key to longevity.
Is it the elusive Fountain of Youth? Well, I’m not willing to go that far. However, when we examine the number of serious conditions that Arnica addresses, it’s not hard to see why Arnica’s specific use in his signature “Joepathy” may have been integral to his long life.
Joe appears to be a subject-matter expert in homeopathy and longevity, given that he passed away in 2025 at age 96 and had used Arnica daily.
I mentioned his unmitigated belief in the power of Arnica briefly in a recent podcast. After a few questions from readers, I thought it needed a little follow-up.
Arnica is the Swiss Army Knife of homeopathy
Even newcomers to homeopathy are often familiar with Arnica. It’s very important for use after trauma, not only head injuries but also soft tissue injuries, such as an injury to the thigh or to the arms or a broken bone.
It is also a primary homeopathic medicine for cardiovascular issues, which may have contributed to Joe De Livera’s longevity.
Rather than repeat all the uses for Arnica that I’ve already elaborated on, I urge you to listen to Podcast 162 — Never Forget Remedies With Stories: A Closer Look at Arnica, and also read When in Doubt: Arnica for a list of conditions Arnica addresses.
The Joepathy water dose method
The Joepathy method for employing Arnica is a bit different from what many of us are used to. In fact, Joe was the first homeopath to convince me to try this method, and, as I have mentioned before, I’ve seen a marked improvement in efficacy for some individuals in my practice.
It uses a readily available commercial water bottle with a standard 16.9-ounce capacity. Poor about an inch or so out, so that it contains, say, roughly 15 ounces of water. (That gives room to combine and succuss the homeopathic medicine.)
The method is to place a dose of Arnica 30 into the water bottle. (A dose should be determined according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the tube.) Allow the pillules or tablets to dissolve by stirring or shaking (if a water bottle was used). When it’s time to administer a dose, Joepathy recommended one capful (about one tablespoon), making sure to shake the bottle ten times before each dose. (Shaking it is the succussion step.)
If the major maladies are controlled, is longevity the result?
In addition to being a good remedy for injuries and related ailments, blood conditions, vascular issues, and heart conditions, Arnica is also effective for insomnia. It's great for stress. It's just, if you look it up in a materia medica, you’ll be gobsmacked by all its abilities. Joe even used it for diabetes and insulin resistance.
It’s fairly common knowledge that maintaining optimal heart, vascular system, and blood sugar levels, while keeping injury recovery, insomnia, and stress under control, leads to a healthier life. So, it isn’t much of a stretch to think that these “instruments” could be the orchestra of longevity, right?
Joe De Livera believed this and utilized his Arnica montana 30 water dose twice daily … every day.
One IMPORTANT caveat
That said, this does not mean we apply this methodology to all remedies. As you well know if you’ve followed me for any time at all, I insist homeopathic medicines are NOT supplements. They are medicines, not intended for use every day “just because.”
For example, one should not use Rhus tox in the same manner. One should not take a dose of it every day so that the joints remain supple for the rest of one’s life. No, no, no.
However, Arnica is a unique remedy. It’s an outlier. It is separate; it is special. I’ve been convinced not just because one man used it himself, but because he recommended it to his followers for 50 years. He consistently saw their successful results, and, in my opinion, clinical observation is gold.
Common water dose questions
I received a few questions on water doses, so let me answer the top ones:
First, this is not a method I use with other protocols. If we want the protocols to work exactly as they have in clinical practice, we must follow those directions precisely. (Please read The Best Method for Utilizing Homeopathic Medicines — Liquid or Pills? for important information.) So, “stretching” remedies by making a water dose is not necessarily recommended unless you simply don’t have enough of a medicine to get you through the next few days as you wait for an order to arrive.
Distilled water is not necessary. Using quality bottled water is fine (especially since the commercial bottles make for such handy storage of the prepared solution).
Manufacturers designate the number of pills or tablets in a dose. Listen to the experts. They know how many of their product it takes to receive a reliable dose. Don’t tinker with the “recipe.”
One can sip from the bottle or out of the cap.
All in all, use your best judgment. This shouldn’t be too complicated. If you find that the way you’ve been doing it isn’t effective, then reexamine your method or pivot to a different remedy. Homeopathy is all about observation and intelligent reaction to what is observed. Read, read, and then read some more.
Consider joining a Gateway to Practical Homeopathy® study group to develop a circle of like-minded friends to call on when the going gets tough. Or join my Mighty Members, where you’ll have more opportunities to enhance your education.
Who knows? One day, we may discover the Fountain of Youth, but for now, homeopathy will keep us healthy, happy, and living our best lives.
Pass on the good news of Practical Homeopathy®!
Warmly,
P.S. If you enjoy this content, please share it. Also check out my podcasts, Monday Night Lives, and connect with me on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Should it be stored on the counter or in the fridge? And does it have a finite shelf life?
I buy cott, bottled water. try to get good well water and not buy plastic bottles. Id prefer a glass bottle and measured amounts H2O to dose…
Hi, I am 69 I have multiple Meningiomas. I’ve had 2 surgeries. 1st in 2006 in flagstaff Arizona. 2nd one in Duluth Mn. 2024. Still have 3 more. They want me to go to the Mayo Clinic. I’ve have healed quite well except learning new things or my brain seems to like tweak. If that makes any sense. Would arnica help me?
Michele, I’m sorry but I can’t give you personal advice. But is you read up on Arnica montana in your materia medicas you’ll be more comforted with your decision.
Thank you very much for sharing this, Joette. My husband and I are going to try it, as he has chronic insomnia and we are both concerned about heart issues. Does the arnica potency matter? Also, we try to avoid plastic…do you see any problem using a glass bottle? BTW, my daughter and I participated in a study group several years ago and we learned so much!
Potency matters and glass is of course, better.
Keep going with your studies, Liz. You’ve only just touched the tip of the iceberg.
I keep arnica 30c in a 2 oz bottle of distilled water and organic vodka to preserve.
I learned water remedies from Helkunst homeopathy in Canada.
And I know to succuss 10 times each new day I might take it.
Would this work instead of 15 oz water?
I can’t say whether it would be effective. Given Joepathy’s instructions, I prefer to follow them as close as possible.
Joette, hope this is not a repeat, but I don’t see my 2nd question posted.
When finished with 1st bottle do you start over with dry pellets again Or do you use the ‘many times succussed’ dose into the 2nd bottle of water?
I learned from Helkunst homeopaths that the physics of succusssing ‘Ups’ the frequency/potency.
So starting over with dry pellets would put it back to original 30c.
Hope I wrote clearly.
Seems for me,I take a tablespoon of last water to put as a starter in the next bottle.
Thanks. I searched, but couldn’t find this stated by Dr Joe.
I agree with your Heilkunst teachers but in this case, the method Joepathy used was to begin again with another set of pills.
Thank you Joette for clarifying.
Guess I don’t need to understand, and just follow Joe’s protocol. New pellets each bottle, succuss 10xs each day. 🙂
In another post for seniors, you mentioned a different recipe for the Arnica longevity recipe. I have been using a glass quart jar and keep it in my fridge. I shall continue with that recipe. I don’t recall that successing it 10x each time we dosed and the dose was 2 tbsp. I am using it daily for the rest of my life.
I also am confused at the use of a “water” bottle. Perhaps you meant anything other than a plastic water bottle or maybe you intended to mean a non plastic bottle. Can you specify the recommended water bottle container. Also I recall the amount of the dose, 200ck for 64 oz in the article for seniors. Thanks.
There are a couple of different ways to follow Joepathy’s method. I prefer the 30th potency. I mentioned plastic because that’s what Joe used and I want to offer his suggestion as written but I agree with you that I’d prefer glass.
Fascinating! I love to hear the wisdom of those who have lived long and experienced much. I’ve wondered though, at 2 capfuls per day, the bottle will last for a few days. A person would finish the bottle before mixing a new one, right? Ought it to be kept in the refrigerator, or is the counter ok?
If using pillules or tablets to make your water dose, keep it in the fridge. Otherwise it can grow mold because of the sugars in the pills. I also suggest to sip from the cap instead of the bottle to avoid contaminating your Arnica water with backwash. Cheers!
Joette, so, I put arnica in the 15 oz water. Not sure how many days it will last.
Since we’ve successed 10xs each dose, then making a fresh Next bottle takes us back to the original 30c frequency.
Seems counter intuitive.
My training with Helkunst homeopaths was you save a dose from the 1st bottle and add it to the next. Therefore keeping the rx frequency where you left off.
Did Joe mention this for next bottles?
Thanks
Hi Joette, I order from Helios in England. I love the value, the vast amount of remedies, and the way they pack the amber bottles. The problem, is that there is no dosing on the bottles. So a 200c or a 30c or a 6x, I haven’t any idea what the dose is. Boiron is crazy, but not as cost effective. How do I find dosing? Thank you so much. ❤️
Compare the amount of volumn of 5 pills to its equivelent in smaller or larger pills. It will give you an overall idea.
The Helios dosing can be found on their website, I believe under the FAQ section.
Sorry, spellcheck, I meant boiron is great just not cost effective.
I’ve used this method for 39 years-before I knew it was a thing
Divinely inspired 🙏🏻
Pls. tell me more, Sheila. Where did you learn this, what have you noted and is this the exact method?
Would love to know more about your experience with this as well!
Yes please, do tell, I want to know if it really works !!
Joette as always you tell us the truth, you educate us and you are amazing we love you! So question do you see any reason that a woman who is pregnant should or should not drink a capful daily of Arnica 30? And I know Joepathy suggests this for hair growth..which we are doing and it works!! But in taking a case I was asked this question of a pregnant mama and her baby, she’s in 1st trimester, and I am unsure how to reply. She loved the idea of giving her baby this since she is already on the Cell Salt for Pregnancy!
Are you using Arnica 30 in water for hair growth?
It’s worth a try! Sounds like provings didn’t happen with Joepathy’s method?
Love Joe! When my daughter was struggling with silent reflux. I searched the internet for a natural remedy that actually worked. I stumbled upon Joe De Livera ‘s work. He recommended 1/2 tablet of Nat Phos 6X after each feeding. She was a new baby! Gonna try the Armica too now.
I I as told by a homeopath never to store remedies dissolved in water in the fridge, so I have always used the water doses for one day and tossed the rest. Joette, can you please answer how to store the bottle of water?
The way I learn that our medicines left in the refrigerator work for a period of time is that I’ve not only done it for myself but my students and clients have reported the same over the years.
I’d like to know why someone would say this.
Thank you for continuing to share such valuable information! I have a question regarding remedies. Is there a difference between arnica montana and arnica montana radix? Can the radix form be used just as the regular homeopathic form of arnica montana?
They are generally interchangable unless you’re working with a homeopath that specifically recomends that you use one or the other. Otherwise, for most common uses of Arnica, they’re iterchangable.
Thank you for responding! This would be in reference to a banerji protocol, specifically for varicose veins.