Arnica - Uses, properties, benefits, applications
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Arnica montana is a perennial member of the Compositae family that grows to 10-12 inches tall and displays yellow and orange flowers and grows in Europe, Andes, Northen Asia, Sibera, and North America. Its traditional use dates back to the 1500's legend says people observed that mountain goats would clamber to find the Arnica plant after stumbling or falling. People began copying the goats by applying Arnica to bruises and wounds - the German name "Fallkraut" literally means "fall herb". Arnica leaves are traditionally chewed by Swiss mountain climbers to relieve muscle aches and varieties have been used in smoking blends all around the world.
You are more likely to see arnica in products for topical use these days, or of course, in it's homeopathic form. This is because Arnica tincture is toxic and not suitable for home use as high precision, low quantity dosing is required to avoid cause heart problems, intoxication and collapse. Homeopathic and topical remedies do not carry this risk.
Name: Arnica montana
- Arnica tincture is toxic and not suitable for home use as high precision, low quantity dosing is required to avoid cause heart problems, intoxication and collapse. Homeopathic and topical remedies do not carry this risk.
- Arnica leaves are traditionally chewed by Swiss mountain climbers to relieve muscle aches.
- Leaves have been used in smoking blends all around the world
- flowers cause sneezing when crushed.
- Its traditional use dates back to the 1500's
- legend says people observed that mountain goats would clamber to find the Arnica plant after stumbling or falling. People began copying the goats by applying Arnica to bruises and wounds - the German name "Fallkraut" literally means "fall herb".
- Minoxidil, a leading drug for alopecia treatment, works on the same pathway to stimulate hair growth as the compound helenalin, found in Arnica.
Parts used: Flowers
Plant descriptive: A perennial member of the Compositae family that grows to 10-12 inches tall and displays yellow flowers
Growing:
- It requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil with good drainage, if needed, add some sand to the soil.
- To increase acidity, you can add some peat moss substitute. If using potting soil, mix equal parts sand and peat moss and combine that mix with equal parts potting soil.
- propagate by root division or by seed. Roots should be divided in the spring, and seeds collected in the fall.
- It prefers high altitudes and full sun.
Location: Europe, Andes, Northern Asia, Siberia, North America
Harvesting: Flowers are collected between June and August
Constituents: Volatile oils, sesquiterpene lactones (inc. helenalin, dihydrohelenaline and chamissonolid), bitter glycosides, alkaloid, polyacetylenes, flavanoids, tannin.
Energetics and properties:
- anti-inflammatory
- cardiac
- tonic
- warming
- drying
- analgesic
- anticoagulant
- vasodilator
- vulnerary
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Physical/Environmental:
- swelling
- bruising
- pain
- injury
- trauma
- coronary blood supply
- coronary vessels
- tensive back pain
- muscular pain
- feeble respiration
- rheumatism
- phlebitis
- reducing bleeding
- bad breath
- post surgical healing
- post natal healing
- bleeding gums
- blood blisters
- boils
- broken bones with swelling present
- whooping cough
- black eye
- nosebleeds
- dental work
- toothache
- sleep
- carpel tunnel syndrome
- stimulating hair growth
- trauma
- shock
- restlessness
- fear
- denial
- forgetfulness
- confidence
- safety
- strength
- uplifting
- depression
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Energetic/Spiritual:
- purification
- blessing
- meditation
- spiritual connection
- sun
- fire element
- abundance
- banishing
- prosperity
- protection
- masculine energy
- Topical use: Tincture, ointment or oil applied to unbroken skin as needed
- Tincture: Professional use only: (fresh leaf or root: 1 part herb to 2 parts alcohol, 70% ethanol content) (dried leaf: 1 part herb to 5 parts alcohol, 50% ethanol content) 1-5 drops in 8 ounces water, sipped slowly, up to three times per day
- Homeopathic: See remedy directions
Cautions and Contraindications: Gastric irritation may develop with internal use. High doses taken internally can cause intoxication, dizziness, tremors, tachycardia, arrhythmia and collapse.
Health conditions: Do not use internally during pregnancy. Do not use externally if susceptible to contact dermatitis. May cause an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to the Asteraceae or Compositae family.
Known Moderate or Minor Medication Interactions: - This list is not exhaustive:
Not to be taken with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs
| Moderate Abciximab , also known as (ReoPro) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Abrocitinib , also known as (Cibinqo) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Acenocoumarol , also known as (Sintrom) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Acetaminophen, Aspirin , also known as (Gemnisyn) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Caffeine , also known as (Excedrin, Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen , also known as (Combogesic) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Acetylsalicylic Acid , also known as (Entrophen) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Alteplase, Tpa , also known as (Actilyse, Activase) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide , also known as (Ascriptin Codeine #2) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide , also known as (Ascriptin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Anacaulase-bcdb , also known as (NexoBrid) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Anagrelide , also known as (Agrylin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Anisindione , also known as (Miradon) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Anistreplase, Apsac , also known as (Eminase) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Antithrombin Iii , also known as (Thrombate III) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Apixaban , also known as (Eliquis) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Argatroban , also known as (Argatroban) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin , also known as (Angettes 75, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Caprin, Cartia, Children's Aspirin, Durlaza, Easprin, Ecotrin, Gencardia, Micropirin, Nu-Seals Aspirin, Resprin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide , also known as (Ascriptin Codeine #3) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Butalbital , also known as (Axotal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine , also known as (Fiorinal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate , also known as (Fiorinal w/ Codeine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Butalbital, Caffeine, Phenacetin , also known as (Marnal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine , also known as (Anacin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Codeine Phosphate , also known as (Anacin w/ Codeine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate , also known as (Synalgos DC) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Dover's Pwd , also known as (Acedoval, Dovacet) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone , also known as (Damason-P) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Isobutylallylbarbituric Acid, Phenacetin , also known as (Lanorinal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Orphenadrine , also known as (Invagesic, Invagesic Forte, Norgesic, Norgesic Forte, Orphengesic, Orphengesic Forte) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Caffeine, Phenacetin, Propoxyphene , also known as (Margesic Comp. 65) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide , also known as (Bufferin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Carisoprodol , also known as (Soma Compound) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Carisoprodol, Codeine Phosphate , also known as (Soma Compound w/ Codeine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine , also known as (Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate , also known as (Alka-Seltzer Pain Reliever and Antacid) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate , also known as (Aspirin w/ Codeine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Methocarbamol , also known as (Robaxisal C) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Phenobarbital , also known as (Phenaphen) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Diphenhydramine, Phenylpropanolamine , also known as (Alka Seltzer Plus Night Time Effervescent) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Dipyridamole , also known as (Aggrenox, Asasantin Retard) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Ethoheptazine, Meprobamate , also known as (Equagesic) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Hydrocodone , also known as (Alor 5 500, Lortab ASA) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Meprobamate , also known as (Micrainin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Methocarbamol , also known as (Robaxisal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Omeprazole , also known as (Yosprala) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Oxycodone , also known as (Percodan) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Aspirin, Pentazocine , also known as (Talwin Compound) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Betrixaban , also known as (Bevyxxa) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Bivalirudin , also known as (Angiomax, Angiomax Rtu, Angiox) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Bromfenac Sodium , also known as (Bromsite, Prolensa) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Cablivi , also known as (Cablivi) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Cangrelor , also known as (Kengreal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Cilostazol , also known as (Pletal) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Clopidogrel , also known as (Plavix) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Dabigatran , also known as (Pradax, Pradaxa) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Dalteparin , also known as (Fragmin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Danaparoid , also known as (Orgaran) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Defibrotide Sodium , also known as (Defitelio) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Diclofenac , also known as (Zorvolex) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Diclofenac Epolamine , also known as (Flector, Licart) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Diclofenac Potassium , also known as (Cambia, Cataflam, Cataflam IR, Voltaren Rapide, Voltarol Rapid) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Diclofenac Sodium , also known as (Acoflam, Acoflam 75 SR, Acoflam Retard, Defenac, Defenac Retard, Defenac SR, Dexomon 75 SR, Dexomon Retard 100, Diclo, Diclo SR, Dicloflex, Dicloflex 75 SR, Dicloflex Retard, Diclomax Retard, Diclomax SR, Diclovol, Diclovol Retard, Diclovol SR, Diclozip, Difenac, Dyloject, Fenactol, Fenactol 75 mg SR, Fenactol Retard 100 mg, Flamatak 100 MR, Flamatak 75 MR, Flamrase, Flamrase SR, Flexotard MR 75, Motifene 75 mg, Pennsaid, Rheumatac Retard 75, Rhumalgan CR, Slofenac SR, Volraman, Volsaid Retard 100, Volsaid Retard 75, Voltaren, Voltaren Emulgel, Voltaren SR, Voltaren XR, Voltarol, Voltarol 75 mg SR, Voltarol Ophtha, Voltarol Ophtha Multidose, Voltarol Retard) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol , also known as (Arthrotec 50, Arthrotec 75) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Dicumarol , also known as (Dicumarol) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride, Naproxen Sodium , also known as (Aleve PM) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Dipyridamole , also known as (Dipyridamole, Persantin, Persantin Injection, Persantin Retard, Persantine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Edoxaban , also known as (Savaysa) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Effient , also known as (Prasugrel) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Enoxaparin , also known as (Lovenox) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Eptifibatide , also known as (Integrilin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Esomeprazole, Naproxen , also known as (Vimovo) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Famotidine, Ibuprofen , also known as (Duexis) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Fish Oil Triglycerides , also known as (Omegaven) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Fondaparinux , also known as (Arixtra) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Heparin , also known as (Heparin) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen , also known as (Vicoprofen) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibrutinib , also known as (Imbruvica) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibuprofen , also known as (Advil, Arthrofen, Brufen, Brufen Retard, Calodor, Calprofen, Children's Advil, Children's Motrin, Ebufac, Fenbid, Fenbid Forte Gel, Fenpaed, Galprofen, Ibugel Forte, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Nurofen for Children, Orbifen for Children, Rimafen, Tab-Profen) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen , also known as (Advil Dual Action) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibuprofen, Hydrocodone , also known as (Ibucodone) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibuprofen Lysine , also known as (NeoProfen) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibuprofen, Oxycodone , also known as (Combunox) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Ibuprofen, Pseudoephedrine , also known as (Dristan) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Icosapent Ethyl (prescription Drug) , also known as (Vascepa) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Iloprost , also known as (Ventavis) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Inotersen , also known as (Tegsedi) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Lepirudin , also known as (Refludan) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Minocycline , also known as (Acnamino MR, Aknemin, Amzeeq, Arestin Miscrosperes, Dynacin, Minocin, Minocin IV, Minocin MR, Sebomin MR, Solodyn, Vectrin, Zilxi) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Nadroparin , also known as (Fraxiparine) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Naproxen , also known as (Aleve, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Arthroxen, EC-Naprosyn, Naprelan, Napro-Na, Naprosyn, Naprosyn EC, Naproxen, Naproxyn, Navalbine, Synflex) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Naproxen, Pseudoephedrine , also known as (Aleve Cold and Sinus) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Naproxen Sodium , also known as (Midol Extended Relief) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Naproxen, Sumatriptan , also known as (Treximet) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Nintedanib Esylate , also known as (Ofev) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Nusinersen Sodium , also known as (Spinraza) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Omega-3 Fatty Acids (prescription Drug) , also known as (Lovaza) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Pazopanib , also known as (Votrient) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate Pentoxifylline , also known as (Trental) | ||||||||||||||||||
Moderate Phenprocoumon , also known as (Liquamar)
|
This medication list is taken from www.hellopharmacist.com and is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. It does not reflect all of the possible interactions and instead, intends to give a flavour of the importance of checking with professionals prior to the use of herbal remedies.
If you have a diagnosed health condition or are taking any medications, please speak with a qualified herbalist using the webchat function prior to purchase.
*This information refers to the plant type in general and not any specific product made from or with it. It is based on folk lore and historical, traditional use only and does not contain scientifically proven health claims. It is for historic informative and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as a suggestion that the products can treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. They are not a substitute for professional, medical advice. Always see your doctor.*
(Sources: (Sources: “The Modern Herbal Dispensary” - Thomas Easley and Steven Horne, “The New Holistic Herbal” - David Hoffman, "Healing Herbs" - Neals Yard Remedies, Indigo Herbs, "Cunningham's Encyclopedia" - Scott Cunningam, hellopharmacist.com)
Browse our herb range, including Arnica and other herbs here:
Herbal Remedies – HIPPIE Life UK