Healing Benefits Of Arnica Montana

Arnica montana, a perennial herb that is part of the thistle family, is native to parts of Europe, North America and eastern Asia. It is a tall plant, often growing to a height of one to two feet, producing yellow daisylike flowers in July and August. The flowers and rhizome roots are used to make herbal medicines. Arnica montana is also to referred to by several folk names, including mountain tobacco, wolf's bane and leopard's bane.

History

Arnica montana is an herbal medicine that has been popular for hundreds of years. It has been used as a topical agent, a tincture and in years past some may have smoked it to receive its benefits. The German poet and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is said to have taken it in a tea to relieve chest pains from angina and credits it for saving his life. Today it is mostly used as a topical medication because it is poisonous when taken in high doses internally.

Benefits

Arnica is typically used on the skin to promote healing. It can be used on bruises, sunburn, minor burns, superficial phlebitis, as well as muscle strains and sprains. A clinical study reported in the medical journal "Advances in Therapy" found the use of fresh arnica gel applied topically to be effective in reducing the pain and stiffness of mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Homeopathic physicians also use a topical tincture of arnica to treat localized bacterial infections. Do not apply arnica to an open wound or broken skin, as it can cause severe irritation and blistering.

Preparations

Arnica montana can be prepared in a number of ways for topical use. It is available as an over-the-counter medication as a cream, gel and ointment. It can be made into a tincture for use in a poultice or compress to be placed directly over the affected area. You can purchase it as a whole herb, dried herb, powdered herb and spray. Most commercial preparations typically contain 15 percent arnica oil or 25 percent arnica tincture. You should only take arnica internally under the supervision of a qualified homeopathic or allopathic physician.

Precautions

Topical use of Arnica montana is considered to be generally safe when used as directed. The most common side effects of using arnica topically include burning, irritation and redness of the skin. It is possible to develop an allergy to arnica, and if that happens you should discontinue its use immediately. The main signs of allergy include itching, runny nose, hives and shortness of breath. If you are allergic to sunflowers, ragweed, marigold or echinacea, you may not be able to use arnica. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports that the FDA considers arnica to be unsafe when taken internally, due to its poisonous characteristics. Symptoms of arnica poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, muscle weakness, rapid heartbeat and internal bleeding.