Information on Arnica
| Latin Name |
| Arnica montana, others |
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| Other Names |
| Leopard's bane |
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| Part Used |
| Rhizome, Flowers |
|
| Affects |
| Integumentary system, Cardiovascular system |
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| Herb Forms |
| Tinctures, oils, creams, homeopathic tablets. |
|
| Dosages |
Tincture: External use
Homeopathic preparation: Internal use |
|
| Cautions |
| For external use only. Do not use on open wounds. |
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| Botanical Information |
| An aromatic perennial plant of the high mountains with opposite leaves and yellow flowers. |
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| Description |
Arnica is mostly used for external purposes in the form of oil or diluted tincture (although it is used internally in homeopathic form) for bruises, muscle or tendon strains or sprains, and stubborn inflammation when the skin is not broken. The highly diluted tincture is also used as a gargle for sore throats. The homeopathic tablets are taken for shock or trauma to body tissues or after an accident.
Further cautions: many people will develop irritation and inflammation using arnica on open wounds; for trauma and shock, to alleviate symptoms such as lightheadedness or dizziness, take arnica internally only in homeopathic dilutions of 6x or higher or commercially available herbal combinations with highly diluted arnica tincture.
Arnica has a taste of ACRID and a temperature of HOT. |
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| References |
| Blumenthal, Mark et al. 1998. The Complete Commission E Monographs. Austin: American Botanical Council.
Newall, C. et al.. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Leung, A. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1983. (1898). King's Dispensatory. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Weiss, R. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers.
Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs. Essex: C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd.
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Ailments treated by Arnica
| Ailment |
Treatment Support |
Application |
| Muscles, sore |
anti-inflammatory, anti-traumatic |
oil, externally |
| Neuritis |
anti-inflammatory |
oil externally |
| Phlebitis |
anti-inflammatory |
tea as compress or cream externally |
| Sprains |
anti-inflammatory, antitraumatic |
oil, tincture, tablets as directed |
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