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Arnica as an Herb
(Arnica montana)
Arnica has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s and remains popular today.
Arnica, also commonly known as Mountain Tobacco or leopard's bane, has a bright yellow, daisy-like flower that blooms around July. The flowering heads have been used in preperations for homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years.
Arnica is popular in Germany and over 100 drug preparations are made there from the arnica plant.
Medicinal Uses for Arnica
- The active components in arnica are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain.
- Arnica stimulates the activity of white blood cells that perform much of the digestion of congested blood, and by dispersing trapped fluid from bumped and bruised tissue, joints and muscles.
- Arnica can stimulate blood circulation and raise blood pressure, especially in the coronary arteries.
- Externally Arnica is used for arthritis, burns, ulcers, eczema and acne, improving wound healing in addition to reduce irritation and swelling.
- Arnica is typically rubbed on the skin to soothe and heal bruises, sprains, and relieve irritations from trauma, arthritis and muscle or cartilage pain. Applied as a salve, arnica is also good for chapped lips, irritated nostrils and acne.
- For sore feet a foot bath of hot water containing 1/2 ounce of the tincture cab bring about great relief.
- Applied to the scalp it is said it will make hair grow.
Preparations
Topical preparations of arnica may be prepared as follows:
- Tincture: a 1:10 tincture prepared with 70 percent ethanol
- Creams and ointments: 20 to 25 percent tincture or a maximum of 15 percent arnica oil made from one part dried arnica flower head and five parts vegetable oil
- Compresses: tincture diluted 3 to 10 times with water
- Poultices: tincture diluted 3 to 10 times with water
- Mouthwash: tincture diluted 10 times with water (should not be swallowed)
When used topically or in a homeopathic remedy, arnica does not interact with any conventional medications.
Cautions
Arnica should not be taken internally without direct medical supervision, except in dilute form as a homeopathic remedy, because side effects may be severe. It can cause dizziness, tremors, and heart irregularities. It may also irritate mucous membranes and cause stomach upset.
When using arnica topically, never place on an open wound without a doctor's supervision.
Repeated applications may produce severe inflammation. Some people are particularly sensitive to the plant and many severe cases of poisoning have resulted from its use, especially if taken internally.
DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.