Botanical Name: Arnica montana
Common Name:
- English: European Arnica
- aka: Leopard’s Bane, Wolf’s Bane, Arnica, Aronique, Polmonaria di Montagna, Mountain Tobacco, American Arnica, Arctic Arnica, Arnica angustifolia, Arnica chamissonis, Arnica cordifolia, Arnica des Montagnes, Arnica Flos, Arnica Flower, Arnica fulgens, Arnica latifolia, Arnica montana, Arnica sororia, Arnikablüten, Bergwohlverleih, Doronic d’Allemagne, European Arnica, Fleurs d’Arnica, Foothill Arnica, Heart-Leaf Arnica, Herbe aux Chutes, Herbe aux Prêcheurs, Hillside Arnica, Kraftwurz, Leopard’s Bane, Mountain Arnica, Mountain Snuff, Mountain Tobacco, North American Meadow Arnica, Plantin des Alpes, Quinquina des Pauvres, Souci des Alpes, Tabac des Savoyards, Tabac des Vosges, Twin Arnica, Wolf’s Bane, Wolfsbane, Wundkraut.
Origin: Romania
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Flowers
General Information:
Arnica montana is one of the most beneficial substances available in nature’s pharmacopeia.
Arnica is an herb that grows mainly in Siberia and central Europe, as well as temperate climates in North America. The flowers of the plant are used in medicine.
This plant has very similar uses to those of Heterotheca inuloides (Mexican Arnica), which is the species more commonly used in Mexico. Both Romania (European) and Mexican arnica belong to the daisy or sunflower family, although their active principles are not all the same.
Due to toxicity, Arnica flower should only be used externally.
Arnica is an essential for every herbal first aid kit, especially for the active individual, sports enthusiast, or weekend warrior. You should not use arnica on broken skin. This is because the flower has toxic effects. Just as you should not take it internally, you shouldn’t expose it to areas where it can meet your bloodstream. Carefully inspect any area of the skin before you apply arnica flower or cream to it to make sure that there’s no broken skin. It can be helpful in healing a wound more quickly so you can get back on your feet and back to your life more quickly and with less pain
Precautions:
Any species of Arnica (including this one and or similar, such as for example Heterotheca inuloides ) should not be taken internally, due to their potential toxicity, especially by small children, and patients suffering from heart disease.
DO NOT ingesting any herbal product or supplement that contains arnica during pregnancy and lactation.
Discontinue any external application of arnica products at the first sign of inflammation or skin irritation.
Arnica preparations may cause allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to other plants belonging to the daisy family, such as ragweed and feverfew, for example.
Do not use arnica products for prolonged treatments.
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication: Always be on the safe side!