Arnica flowers, organic - 50g

Arnica montana (europaea) L., Bergwohlverleih, flowers, whole, from controlled organic cultivation.

 
Indication

For external use in the aftermath of injuries and accidents, e.g. haematomas, joint strains, sprains, bruises, contusions, fracture oedema, rheumatic muscle and joint complaints, inflamed insect bites.

Use

Preparation of arnica tea: Pour 1/4 hot water (80°C) over 1-2 teaspoons of dried arnica flowers and leave to strain for 10 minutes. For pulled muscles and tendons, torn fibres, bruises, etc., poultices with a watery arnica extract (tea, as described above) - in addition to absolute immobilisation of the injured limb - are the best initial therapy. Recommended for external use only.

Medicinal herb description

History:

This medicinal plant is also called Bergwohlverleih, probably because it used to be widespread mainly in the mountains (Alps and foothills of the Alps up to 2000 m). In the Upper Black Forest and the Vosges there are some places where it is abundant and covers the meadows in a bright yellow-orange. Today, arnica is a protected species. In the meantime, however, Arnica montana has been successfully cultivated, so that the plant used in the meantime, the North American meadow arnica (Arnica chamissonis Less ssp. foliosa (Nutt.) Mag.) is no longer approved by the pharmacopoeia.

Goethe used to drink arnica tea when he was tormented by circulatory problems in his coronary vessels. Arnica was also said to have an aphrodisiac effect. The bad experiences with overdoses probably date back to this time: threatening heart complications, stomach and intestinal disorders.

Arnica is a potent medicinal plant, which today is mainly used externally as a tincture.

Botanical description:

The 40 to 60cm tall, aromatic-smelling, glandular-hairy medicinal plant has a simple or sparsely branched, erect hairy stem. The stalked, ovate, entire, 6-15 cm long basal leaves form an ovate rosette and have 5-7 prominent longitudinal nerves on the underside. The stalkless stem leaves are opposite each other in pairs, lanceolate and smaller than the basal leaves. The intense orange-yellow, terminal flower heads are 5-8 cm wide and stand singly or in threes, rarely in multiples. They are formed by 50 or more tubular flowers and a number of 2-3 cm long ray florets, which may also be absent. The sheathing scales are in 1-3 rows and are lanceolate pointed. The 5 mm long fruits are yellowish green to blackish and bear a pale yellow pappus approx. 8 mm long.

Occurrence:

Occurs in the wild in Central, Southern and Eastern Europe up to Southern Russia.
Main supplying countries are Yugoslavia, Spain, Italy and Switzerland.

Habitat: Mountain meadows, acidic, low-lime soil.

Plant family:

Compositae = Asteraceae ( = Compositae).

Colloquial names:

Arnica (engl. ), arnick, mountain marigold, mountain weed, mountain weed lend, mountain weed lend, mountain weed lend, mountain weed lend, mountain weed, blood flower, blood shoot, Christwort, thunder flower, angel flower, angel flowers, angel herb, Dyer's Flower, Fallwort, Fallwort Flowers, Chamois Flower, Gemwort, St. John's Flower, Power Rose, Power Root, Power Root, Leopard's Root, Mitterwort, Monk's Cap, Stitchwort, Stitchwort, St. - Luzianskraut, Verfangkraut, Wohlverleih, Wohlverleihblüten, Wolferley, Wolffelei, Wolfsblume, Wolfsbann, Wolfsdistel, Wundkraut, Margarite.

Part of the plant used:

The dried inflorescences or flower heads and the roots are used medicinally.

Active substance/gathering time:

The flowers and, in spring or autumn, the roots are collected and gently dried in a shady place.

Flowering time: May to August - collection time: July/August.

Arnica is protected in various countries and must therefore not be collected!

Ingredients:

The medicinal herbs contain tannins in all parts. The roots contain essential oil, plant acids, resins. Their flowers offer carotene-like pigments, choline and heart-active substances, silicic acid, essential oil, bitter substances, procyanidins, sesquiterpene lactones of the helenalin type, arnicin, beta-sitosterol, camphor, flavonoids, inulin.

Medicinal properties:

Antibacterial, decongestant, antiseptic, blood purifier, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, hyperaemic (stimulates blood circulation), antispasmodic, analgesic, diaphoretic.

Effect:
The drug has antimicrobial, bacteriostatic, fungistatic (inhibits bacterial and fungal growth), antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory), analgesic (analgesic) effects on inflammatory pain and resorptive effects on internal bleeding and exudates (inflammatory secretions) when used externally.
Side effect:
When larger quantities of the tea are used internally, toxic (poisonous) effects of the
toxic effects of the sesquiterpene lactones are to be expected: sweating, gastro-enteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract), tachycardia (greatly accelerated heart activity), dyspnoea (shortness of breath), collapse.

Use and dosage:

For pain after blunt injuries (traumas): for haematomas (bruises), joint strains, sprains, contusions, bruises, fracture oedema (tissue water retention after bone fractures), insect bites.

For superficial phlebitis (inflammation of the surface of the veins), rheumatic muscle or joint complaints.

Respiratory organs:

Aphtae, oral mucositis, gingivitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, hoarseness, bronchitis, cough, fever, cold, flu.

Digestive organs:

Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, seasickness.

Metabolism:

Rheumatism, gout

Heart/circulation:

Heart complaints, cardiac insufficiency.

External:

Neuralgia, varicose veins, phlebitis, bruises, joint pain, sprains, strains, sore muscles, poorly healing wounds, eczema, sprains (joint strains, sprains), bruises, contusions, haematomas (bruise, bruise, collection of blood outside the bloodstream in soft tissues), non-open wounds, inflamed insect bites.

Although efficacy is plausible due to the ingredients, there are no clinical studies to prove this.
Due to the partly toxic (poisonous) ingredients, internal use must be discouraged. Especially in case of prolonged application or in case of persons who are sensitised accordingly, arnica itself can cause skin rashes (allergic reaction). Internal use is only recommended for homeopathic dilutions.
Extracts from this medicinal plant are also found as additives in hair lotions, toothpastes and other cosmetic products. Due to its sensitising potential, cosmetic preparations should not be used uncritically.

Infusion for poultices:

4 teaspoons of dried arnica flowers (about 2 g) are poured over approx. 100 ml of boiling water and strained after 10 minutes. After cooling, use for poultices.

Tincture:

For poultices: tincture diluted 3 to 10 times with water.
For mouth rinses: Tincture diluted 10 times.

Ointments:

with max. 20 - 25 percent tincture or:
with max. 15 percent arnica oil: extract of 1 part drug and 5 parts fatty vegetable oil.

There is an abundance of preparations containing extracts of arnica flowers alone or in combination with other substances, in the form of ointments, tinctures or gargles.

Tea:

Up to 3 teaspoons of dried arnica flowers, drink a cup of freshly prepared tea between meals. Average daily dose: 6g

Special notes:

The plant is protected and may not be collected in various countries!

Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to arnica or other composite flower plants (e.g. alanth root, camomile, marigold, yarrow)!

Arnica extracts can trigger allergies that manifest themselves in an oedematous skin rash with itching and blister formation. After repeated use, allergic contact dermatitis can be expected. If the treatment does not bring about any improvement or if the symptoms worsen, the treatment should be discontinued and a doctor consulted!

Only use preparations of these medicinal herbs externally on intact skin! Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (diarrhoea) due to local irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. The ingredients may have a cardiotoxic (heart-damaging) effect. Poisoning is characterised by dizziness, drowsiness, palpitations, increased body temperature and can lead to death as a result of cardiovascular failure.

Do not use during pregnancy and breastfeeding!

It is not clear to what extent toxic ingredients are also absorbed into the organism during external application.

Do not use over a longer period of time or in higher doses!