Overview
Arnica (Arnica montana), a perennial herb also known as mountain tobacco or leopard’s bane, has been used medicinally for hundreds of years in both Europe and North America. European herbalists concocted remedies from the plant’s flowers, and Native Americans used the herb in healing ointments and salves. Arnica was officially listed in the United States Pharmacopeia in 1820 and is still listed in the United States Dispensatory, a book that describes the preparation and use of herbs in American medical practice.
Description
The arnica plant reaches up to two feet in height and produces hairy, round stems that end in one to three flower stalks. The plant’s yellow-orange flowers appear in midsummer, reach two to three inches across and provide an attractive contrast to the bright green foliage. Arnica’s upper leaves feel slightly hairy to the touch, while the lower leaves feature smooth, rounded tips. The entire plant emits a strong odor reminiscent of pine and sage, which is particularly strong when the leaves of the mature plant are bruised or rubbed.
Location
Indigenous to the mountains of Europe and Siberia, arnica grows wild in these areas. The plant is widely cultivated in North America, where it has also naturalized. Arnica prefers areas with sandy, dry soil, and it thrives in open meadows, mountain pastures and other areas where it receives full sunlight. The plant withstands temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit and performs well in hardiness zones 5 through 8 in the United States.
Uses
Arnica has a variety of medicinal uses, including treatment of bruises, sprains, insect bites, swelling, muscle aches, rheumatic pain, inflammation and osteoarthritis. Typically used in healing liniments, ointments and creams, arnica offers the most benefit in external use. While the plant has been a popular home remedy for centuries, scientific research is beginning to confirm this anecdotal evidence. One study, published in the April 2007 edition of Rheumatology International, found that topical preparations of arnica were equal to ibuprofen in providing pain relief to sufferers of hand osteoarthritis. Homeopathic remedies made from arnica are used to treat similar conditions, though the doses are extremely diluted.
Dosage
Topical preparations of arnica can provide relief for superficial external wounds and joint pain. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends using a 1:10 tincture made with 70 percent ethanol, creams and ointments made with 15 percent arnica oil, and compresses and poultices made from arnica tincture diluted three to ten times with water. Internal use of arnica is not recommended, as serious side effects could occur. Homeopathic dosages vary depending on the condition and severity of symptoms. For the best results, never treat yourself with homeopathic remedies without first consulting a qualified homeopath.
Warnings
Although homeopathic remedies containing arnica are typically ingested, they contain no detectable amount of the plant and are generally considered safe if taken according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center warns against taking arnica internally, as the effects of the herb on the organs have not been sufficiently tested. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers arnica unsafe for consumption, as fatal poisonings have been reported. External use poses no health threat. Infrequent side effects of topical use include contact dermatitis, burning and irritation, though these occur only rarely. Taking the herb orally, however, may cause shortness of breath, coma or even death.
About this Author
Willow Sidhe is a freelance writer living in the beautiful Hot Springs, AR. She is a certified aromatherapist with a background in herbalism. She has extensive experience gardening, with a specialty in indoor plants and herbs. Sidhe’s work has been published on numerous Web sites, including Gardenguides.com.
