Arnica: what it is, how to use it and when it is best to avoid it

What is it

Arnica montana is a perennial herbaceous plant that is part of the Composite family.

It grows wild in the Alpine and pre-Alpine regions above 1000 meters, together with edelweiss, nigritelle and gentians.

It is found, for example, in the Trentino Alps, in the Stelvio National Park, in the Val di Fassa and in the Dolomites, but not only: arnica, in fact, also grows in Siberia, in various regions of Central Europe and in the temperate areas of North America.

Impatient with the summer heat of the plain, you will hardly see it bloom in the garden of some city apartment. In general, this medicinal herb loves wet mountain meadows, pastures populated by animals, heaths and high peat bogs, where it blooms between May and September.

Arnica, however, is not limited to adorning the meadows with its beauty: inside, in fact, there are substances with beneficial properties and essential oils allied to well-being.

The flowers, daisy-shaped, are completely yellow and have a disk surrounded by petals of variable number in the center. They are harvested in the months of June and July and are the part used in phytotherapy and herbal medicine.

Lovers of symbology recognize in their vivid and intense color the energy of the sun’s rays. From a more scientific point of view, however, the properties of arnica flowers and the health benefits associated with their use have earned this herb the title of “panacea of trauma” (panacea lapsorum).

Arnica, in fact, stands out among other natural remedies for its ability to give relief from pain with its anti-inflammatory effect, and to promote healing from the most diverse injuries, from bruises and bruises to the sprains of which you can be a victim when practicing a sport or even simply resting your feet distractedly on a bumpy or unstable surface. Not surprisingly, in Europe and, in particular, in Germany it has been the natural remedy par excellence in case of bruises and bruises.

According to traditional advice, in fact, arnica can be used to treat inflammation, boils, bruises and hematomas. In these cases, its uses include the preparation of infusions of fresh flowers, applied directly to the affected area with compresses. The ointment, on the other hand, has also been used in the treatment of shingles.

In recent times it is becoming increasingly rare, partly because the availability of the land that allows its growth is decreasing, and partly because the demand for this plant (and its precious components) has experienced a considerable increase.

Arnica activities

The active ingredients contained in arnica (flavonoids, triterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones such as elenaline and essential oil, polyphenols, tannins, coumarins, polyacetylenes, xanthophylls) give it anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, pain-relieving properties and exert a stimulating action on circulation.

But be careful, this plant should only be used externally.

Internal use, in fact, has been abandoned because taking arnica in medicinal doses can trigger gastric irritation and other side effects, and currently oral treatments are based on homeopathic dilutions of the remedy.

In addition to reducing pain due to trauma such as bumps and falls, arnica also promotes the resorption of bruises. In addition, some of the substances present in it have been attributed the ability to stimulate cardiac activity, to relieve the pain typical of angina pectoris and to counteract pressure drops associated with weather variations.

Why is it used

Arnica is useful in case of sprains, sprains, bruises, hematomas and superficial phlebitis. It can also be used against osteoarthritis and, more generally, muscle and joint pain, fracture edema and hemorrhoids.

Despite being applied only externally, according to some preliminary studies it reduces the pain associated with osteoarthritis and manages to improve the functionality of the joints affected by the disease as much as a painkiller. Used 2 times a day for 3 weeks reduces joint stiffness in both knee arthritis and hand arthritis.

Thanks to its antiseptic properties, it is also used in skin inflammations and to locally treat acne, boils, chapped lips and insect bites. Finally, arnica is sometimes proposed against sore throats and other ailments, often in the form of a homeopathic remedy.

The following table summarizes the most common uses of arnica.

A user asked our expert about the use of Arnica montana in homeopathy. Read the answer, to know all the details.

How to use arnica

The components of this plant are used to prepare infusions, tinctures, gels, creams, ointments and oleolites (medicated oils obtained by maceration of flowers), sometimes in composition with other plant species (such as aloe).

The yellow flower, which is technically called “flower head”, is collected and left to dry in the shade. The flowers will not be ready until they are completely dried.

An arnica-based tincture can also be prepared by macerating 10 grams of dried roots in a glass for 20 days, taking care to beat the infusion once a day.

The liquid obtained after filtration of the macerate must be stored in the dark and as needed can be mixed with glycerin and water (in a ratio of 1: 2: 3) to obtain a solution with which to make compresses on the skin not damaged by sores or skin wounds.

Another home use of arnica involves mixing 1 tablespoon of tincture with 2 tablespoons of honey to obtain some kind of cream or ointment for the care of boils.

Preparing a DIY remedy based on arnica flowers at home is a little less simple. The willing should get water, 30 grams of flowers, half a liter of pure alcohol, a camphor nut and a shot of turpentine.

The recipe calls for letting the flowers macerate in alcohol for 8 to 10 days. After draining, add turpentine and camphor, shake until the latter has dissolved and dilute with water.

The ointment obtained is recommended for a massage on areas subjected to stress by rheumatism, but given the methods of preparation there is no guarantee of its effectiveness.

This is not the case for products in which the active ingredients of arnica are precisely quantified. From the flowers is obtained the dry extract titrated in rutin at least 1%, intended for external use only, which can also be used in combination with other remedies offered by nature, such as devil’s claw.

Arnica is mainly used in the form of ointments, creams or gels (a highly appreciated formulation), ingestion is contraindicated due to possible side effects.

The products that can be taken orally are homeopathic ones. In their case, arnica-based treatment is proposed in case of bruising, muscle pain or associated with surgical procedures (including wisdom tooth extraction) and vision problems associated with diabetes, but the evidence of its effectiveness is not sufficient to certify its benefits.

The possibility of taking arnica orally in the form of homeopathic products depends on the fact that in these remedies arnica is diluted to such an extent that it is not present in detectable quantities. This characteristic is the same that generally makes homeopathic remedies safe even in children and that according to rumors unfavorable to homeopathy prevents homeopathic remedies from being effective.

As a precaution it may be recommended to avoid taking arnica orally in case of high blood pressure, because it may increase it further.

For the same reason, arnica should not be taken in case of rapid heartbeat (since it could accelerate it further) or digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and Crohn’s disease (because it can irritate the digestive system).

Other uses

Arnica is not only used for medicinal purposes, but is used in various forms.

Although, in general terms, its uses have no place in the kitchen, it is possible to find them in the food industry, which uses arnica to give aroma to drinks, cold desserts based on dairy products, confectionery, jellies and bakery products.

Arnica oil, on the other hand, is used in the cosmetic field, where it is used as an ingredient both in the production of perfumes and in that of various cosmetics, hair tonics and anti-dandruff preparations.

The leaves are processed to obtain a tobacco rather widespread among mountain populations, excellent both as snuff and for the pipe.

Effects

In general, arnica is considered a safe remedy, at least as long as it is applied to the skin for short periods of time. In sensitive individuals, however, it can cause contact dermatitis.

However, doubts remain about the safety of its oral intake; Based on these concerns, the Canadian government has even banned the use of arnica as an ingredient in food.

In fact, if ingested, arnica can cause liver disorders, gastritis, nausea, irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, enterocolitis, headache, arterial hypotension, shortness of breath and palpitations. In severe cases, taking excessively high doses of arnica can damage the heart (cardiovascular system), increase bleeding and lead to organ failure.

For this reason, taking arnica orally is considered safe only as long as it is limited to the doses normally found in food.

Precautions

At this point it is appropriate to make some warnings. Creams and ointments should not be used on damaged skin or in case of dermatitis.

Use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

It is also good to keep in mind that arnica can trigger allergic reactions in those who are allergic to plants of the Asteraceae family (also known as Compositae), such as ragweed, chrysanthemum, calendula and daisies. In case of doubt before applying a product on the skin it is good to seek advice from your doctor.

In case you buy flowers it is necessary to check that inside them there are no larvae of the so-called arnica fly.

This insect, known to scientists as Phytomyza arnicae, lays its eggs right in the flowers of arnica, where the larvae can grow undisturbed.

Their presence can increase the irritating effect of arnica on the skin and could trigger reactions similar to allergies.

For this reason, flowers contaminated with larvae of Phytomizae arnicae, recognizable as very small black dots, must be discarded.

Another insect often referred to as the “arnica fly” is Tephritis arnicae (or Trypeta arnicivora). Its larvae are also accused of compromising the beneficial properties of arnica.

Interactions

There are no known interactions with drugs or other plants.

However, given that an oral intake could slow down blood clotting, it is recommended to pay attention to the simultaneous use of herbs, supplements or drugs that interfere with this process, which include anticoagulants and antiplatelets. In these cases, in case of doubts and / or discomfort, it is advisable to seek the advice of a doctor.

There are also no known interactions between the intake of arnica and that of particular foods or nutrients.