Arnica

Also Known As: Leopard’s Bane, Wolfsbane, and Mountain Tobacco

Botanical Name: Arnica Montana

Family Name: Asteraceae

Native To: Northern and Central Europe, and Western North America

Parts To Use: Flowers and Cylindrical Rhizomes

How It’s Used: Applied topically as ointments or fresh plant gel to the skin for treatment of bruises, aches, and pains.

Harvesting: Blossoms are harvested at maturity, dried, and used to make various extracts, oils, creams, gels and lotions.

Native Americans referred to arnica as mountain tobacco or leopard’s bane and used the plant for sprains, bruises and wounds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, physicians and health practitioners used arnica for contusions, bruised muscle soreness, chronic sores and abscesses. Today it is found in several hundred products, making it one of the most popular and widely used of the natural topical remedies.

Arnica is indigenous to mountain areas and has a deep-rooted, erect stem that is usually unbranched. They produce large yellow or orange flowers, 2–3 inches wide that give off a slight aromatic smell. The entire plant has a strong and distinct pine-sage odor when the leaves of mature plants are rubbed or bruised. Arnica contains the toxin helenalin, which can be poisonous if large amounts of the plant are eaten.

Arnica acts as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial aid. Its anti-inflammatory activity may explain why it reduces swelling time in injuries, and also quickly reduces bruising. This same activity makes arnica useful for irritated insect bites. Arnica is usually applied through ointments and fresh plant gel applied on the skin. Doctors don’t recommend using arnica on broken skin or for extended periods of time, because it can cause irritation. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult with a doctor before using.