Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I hate leaving a bad review, but I really want to warn others because Amazon's has a "NO RETURN" policy for this product. Please beware. And this review is just about the GEL version only of this product - not the other versions. So, first - ARNICA is pure MAGIC!! Imho, 1000% better than other OTC creams that burn or have that icky "smell" - and it's AMAZING esp for bruises (which I get SO easily from bumping into things all the time) - and I've only tried one other brand, but Arnicare is amazing. Now...about THIS order of "Gel" - Not sure what happened, but the gel was completely liquid - almost as if it melted or liquified. And right now, I have a Grade 2 ankle sprain with multiple partially torn ligaments - all on the OUTSIDE of my ankle and top of foot - all VERY difficult to get to - esp since I fell down some stairs, so bending to get to the foot is difficult since the rest of me isn't feeling too well either. (Oh yes, I'm just a mess, but Thank the Lord, NOTHING was broken.) But the Arnicare "gel" just kept running off my foot as soon as I squeezed it from the tube before I could even get to spread it!! What?!? The very day I left Urgent Care, my mother bought a tube of Arnicare gel (same exact product but a smaller size tube) from a local store. It was "normal" and a dab stayed in place long enough to get to it and spread it. Then I ran out (USE IT RELIGIOUSLY - it WORKS!!) and needed more - so Amazon was much cheaper. But the tube from Amazon was too runny and kept falling off before I could get to it. I ended up getting the Cream version from Amazon and it was normal "thickness". And of course, it's working great! So - "No" to "Gel" (at least, not for me again), but I will always buy the Cream version from Amazon - as long as the price still beats others. I gave the Cream version 5 stars! Seriously, if you've never tried Arnica before and want a "natural" remedy for swelling, inflammation, bruising, etc - just try it - even if it's not by this company, which I DO love - and even if it's a small tube (of cream, imho), just as a test. You really DO need to be consistent and apply it 2 or 3 times a day, until it goes away - which you will see happens SO much faster. I'm not giving medical advice...but I've even used it more frequently (esp with this current, ghastly disaster) - and I KNOW it's making ALL the difference - even my Doctor and Ortho are AMAZED at how quickly the bruise (entire foot, from toes, up past the ankle) is "staging" (going through the colors) and how well the inflammation and swelling are reducing - and they had never heard of Arnica before. Also, in the past, as soon as I nicked myself somewhere (arm, thigh, whatever - something small - not like my current calamity) and saw a bruise starting within a few hours, I've even put a good-sized dab on a gauze pad, taped it down, and the bruise either never fully developed, or went away overnight - or two, depending on how bad it was. You don't need to do it that way - use as directed and it rubs in just fine and doesn't feel greasy or anything - and still works great. It's just something that another patient taught me and I've been doing it for years. Before Arnica, I looked like I had been used as a punching bag or pecked to bits by a woodpecker - I even bruise when my 12lb-cat walks on me - so Arnica has SAVED me from questions and comments all the time - and I can wear shorts and short sleeves again. (And again, not giving medical advice and YMMV.) So while I'm giving THIS *Gel* version a 1-star (sorry - I feel conflicted since it's a great product at my local store - and the cream from Amazon was fine - so the issue with the gel could have been a one-off? (manufacturing defect? bad batch? a delivery issue with temperature? who knows?) - nevertheless, buyers need to know that (as of this review) it's a "No Returns" policy if they decide to chance the purchase. Amazon could decide to change the policy anytime, at their discretion - read the Return Policy (always!). (I'll admit, even as a more-than-seasoned-Amazonian, I did not do my homework about the Return Policy before I made the purchase - and I don't fault Amazon for my lack of diligence - but in this instance, I still couldn't give the product a good review - even IF returns were allowed.) So I hope the other positive remarks make up for the poor mark because for sure, the magic of Arnica (and Arnicare) is amazing and worth a try! I've converted so many family and friends to Arnica - I promise you will be a repeat buyer!! Hope this helps someone. Cheers and good health!!