2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The beautiful and fragrant, at first glance completely harmless flowers of arnica should not deceive you - this mountain herb, which is very reminiscent of daisy, contains toxic compounds that dramatically increase blood pressure and can lead to permanent damage to the heart.
This is the reason why refined arnica oils and infusions are absolutely contraindicated for oral use. However, when applied topically, arnica is an extremely effective remedy for muscle pain, bruising and injuries.
Arnica (Arnica Montana) is a wild herb that originated in Europe but is also cultivated in the United States. It is found from the Iberian Peninsula to the southern parts of Scandinavia, through Siberia and the Carpathians, all the way to Western Asia.
There is also the so-called false arnica (Heterotheca inuloides), which grows in Mexico and the southwestern United States, which is similar in appearance to mountain arnica, which grows freely in our country.
The strong and pleasant aroma of arnica can be felt in areas with an altitude of 600 to 3000 meters, where it prefers moist and not necessarily rich soils.
Arnica is a perennial herbaceous plant with a short, cylindrical, reddish-brown rhizome. A large number of thin roots start from it. The stem of the herb itself is tall and hairy, ending with beautiful yellow-orange, gathered in baskets on top of flowers.
Arnica blooms in May-September and blooms in June-July. Sometimes it is confused with marigold, with which it has nothing to do. The usable parts of the arnica are mainly the flowers and in rare cases the aboveground part, and even less often the roots.
Arnica has been highly valued in traditional European medicine for centuries. The first evidence of the use of its healing properties dates back to the early 16th century. It is said that even the German philosopher and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) drank arnica tea to relieve his angina.
In our climatic conditions arnica it can be extremely suitable for cultivating medicinal, essential oil and honey plants, but unfortunately there is no such widespread practice. However, arnica is one of the most famous herbs in homeopathy, where its beneficial effects are maximized due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Arnica composition
The powerful healing power of arnica lies in its ingredients. As many as 150 active substances are hidden in the beautiful flowers of the herb. Probably the most important of these is silicic acid, which allows arnica to have such a strong healing and restorative power.
Silicic acid has a regulating effect on external and internal recovery processes in the human body. This acid is extremely important in cases of muscle and tissue injuries, because it activates the self-healing forces of our body.
As part of arnica includes a huge number of flavonoids, polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones, but also mucus and many essential oils, including thymol. Arnica contains fructose, tannins, resin, inulin, carotenoids and many more. etc. Two of the chemicals in arnica, helenalin and dihydrohelenalin, have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties when absorbed by the body through the skin.
Application of arnica
Used for centuries in traditional folk medicine today arnica is certified as a remedy for external use in injuries, bruises and muscle pain by the authoritative German state agency for the safety of medicinal plants, which is considered the world's leading institution in the field of phytotherapy.
Arnica in the pharmacy chain can be found in various forms - such as gel, cream, ointment, tincture. It is often used for compresses. To do this, prepare a strong infusion of 2 tsp. arnica flowers and 1 tsp. boiling water. Cool the infusion, dip a clean cloth in it and apply to the area affected by injury or pain.
Benefits of arnica
Arnica is an herb that is extremely effective in bruising, sprains and strains, foot pain, any injuries, bursitis and tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The plant is taken only as a homeopathic remedy for shock, trauma or pain.
Arnica was once used to treat angina and heart failure, but today it is rarely used because of the risk of toxicity.
Worldwide, arnica is used successfully in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhoids, bruises, toothache, muscle pain, bronchitis, stomach pain, diarrhea and menstrual pain. Some pregnant women take arnica for a more painless birth.
In folk medicine in Russia arnica is used to treat uterine bleeding, myocarditis, atherosclerosis, angina, exhaustion, as well as heart failure, sprains, bruises and hair loss on nervous soil.
The great power of arnica is to spread blood, which helps the body absorb the blood accumulated in the affected tissues. Cream or ointment containing 5-25% arnica extract, applied several times a day, relieves pain and reduces swelling and bruising. If you prefer a tincture, mix 1 part of it with 3-10 parts of water, dip a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the bruised area.
To limit blood clotting, you can apply 1-2 tablets of the homeopathic preparation Arnica with a potency of 30C as soon as possible after receiving the injury. Be sure to dose according to the instructions on the package.
The therapy of mild sprains with arnica is a very popular method of pain relief. The herb improves blood circulation by increasing the flow of nutrients to the muscles and at the same time stimulates the breakdown of certain by-products, such as lactic acid, released during trauma.
If at the end of the working day your feet are so tired that you feel them pulsing, you just need to immerse them in warm water to which you have added 1 tbsp. arnica tincture. The pain was soon relieved by improved blood flow to the feet. Arniksta works well for insect bites, followed by pain and itching.
Harm from arnica
Internal use of arnica is strictly contraindicated, except as a homeopathic remedy when it is highly diluted and not dangerous to health. Arnica should not be applied near the eyes, mouth and open wounds because it is a toxic herb. In no case do not treat open wounds with arnica oil - at best it will only cause irritation. Even small doses of the plant are toxic and should only be used under the supervision of a specialist.
If you are allergic to arlenica contained in arnica, regular use of the herb can cause contact dermatitis - a harmless but extremely unpleasant rash. Arnica is also contraindicated for people with allergies to chrysanthemums or other members of the family Compositae. The highest risk is if you use arnica systematically, especially on tinctures with too high a concentration.
