- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Mountain meadows of central and southern Europe; rare and protected. Arnica montana
- Other names
- Arnica
Europe · Herb · № 114
Arnica montana
Herb · Europe
Arnica
Arnica montana
Used externally for bruises and muscle aches. Studies give mixed results. Homeopathic arnica is so diluted that it contains no active substance.
Safety notes
Toxic if swallowed: may cause heart rhythm disturbances and gastrointestinal bleeding. Not for open wounds. May cause contact allergy, especially with daisy-family sensitivity.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not on broken skin.
- Natural skin and hair care: External use only and not on damaged or open skin. Stop if a rash develops.
Preparation
Only externally as gel, ointment or diluted tincture on unbroken skin. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Ody describes arnica as a classic mountain herb of central Europe; Goethe is said to have drunk it as a tea. Wild collection is now banned in many regions.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Wound-healing, stimulates the immune system.
Preparation and amount
Flowers, external; internally only homeopathic.
Caution: Not on broken skin.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Traditionally used externally for bruises, sprains and muscle pain; the European Medicines Agency recognises this traditional external use.
Preparation and amount
External: arnica extract or oil in a salve for joints and bruises and in a massage oil for sore muscles (see the recipes).
Caution: External use only and not on damaged or open skin. Stop if a rash develops.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Helps sleep, boosts self-confidence, gives a feeling of safety, purifies spaces.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with protection, self-confidence and safety.
Preparation and amount
Arnica grows on poor mountain meadows in the Alps and the Vosges. In German it was called Fallkraut, 'fall herb', because it was used after a fall, and the Dutch name means the same. Mountain farmers laid it on their fields at midsummer against hail.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- TinctureHerbal oil (oil infusion)Salve and balm