Arnica – Arnica montana – Medicinal

Arnica – Arnica montana

Common names: Arnica, Mountain Arnica, Mountain Tobacco, Leopard’s Bane, Wolf’s Bane
Botanical name: Arnica montana
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 20–60 cm
Spread: 20–30 cm
Flowering: May–August
Position: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Acidic to neutral, well-drained, relatively low fertility
Hardiness: Hardy perennial
Parts traditionally used: Flowers, occasionally roots
Uses: Medicinal, wildlife, naturalistic planting

Description

Arnica montana is a hardy herbaceous perennial native to mountainous and upland regions of Europe. It forms a low basal rosette of softly hairy green leaves, from which upright flowering stems emerge during late spring and summer. These carry distinctive golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers with rather loosely arranged petals surrounding a deeper yellow centre.

The flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and make Arnica an interesting addition to herb gardens, wildlife areas and naturalistic planting schemes. Unlike many vigorous medicinal herbs, however, Arnica prefers relatively poor, acidic ground and can struggle in rich, heavily fertilised garden soil.

It has been valued in European herbal traditions for centuries and is particularly associated with preparations applied externally following bruising and minor muscular injuries.

Growing Arnica

Arnica prefers sunny, open conditions and acidic to neutral, freely draining soil. Its natural habitat includes mountain meadows, heathland and nutrient-poor grassland, so excessively rich soil and heavy feeding are unnecessary and can be counterproductive.

Seed can be sown in autumn and exposed to natural winter conditions. A period of cold can help overcome dormancy, making autumn sowing particularly appropriate. Alternatively, seed can be given cold stratification before spring sowing.

Sow shallowly and avoid burying the seed deeply. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged while germination takes place.

Once established, plants gradually develop through short underground rhizomes and can form small colonies where conditions suit them.

Harvesting

The flowers are the principal part harvested for herbal preparations. Collect freshly opened flower heads during dry weather, preferably after any morning moisture has evaporated.

They can be used fresh for appropriate preparations or dried carefully in a warm, shaded, well-ventilated place. Avoid excessive heat or strong direct sunlight during drying.

Store thoroughly dried flowers in an airtight container away from light and moisture.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Arnica has a particularly long reputation as an external herbal treatment for bruising, swelling, sprains and muscular discomfort.

Preparations made from the flowers have traditionally been incorporated into:

• creams and ointments
• infused oils
• gels
• compresses
• tinctures intended for appropriate external use

Modern topical Arnica products remain widely available for bruising and muscular aches, although evidence for effectiveness varies according to the preparation and condition being treated.

Important Caution

This is one herb where the distinction between medicinal and edible is important.

Arnica montana should not be treated as an ordinary culinary herb. Internal consumption of substantial amounts can be toxic. Concentrated herbal Arnica preparations are generally intended for external use unless supplied in a specifically formulated medicinal product.

Topical preparations should generally not be applied to broken skin, and Arnica can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people, particularly those sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family.

Wildlife Value

The yellow flowers provide pollen and nectar for visiting insects. Its preference for relatively poor ground also makes Arnica useful in a different ecological niche from many of the richer-soil herbs grown in conventional beds.

Propagation

Arnica can be propagated by:

Seed: Autumn sowing is particularly useful because natural winter temperatures can provide the chilling period that assists germination.

Division: Established plants spreading through rhizomes can be carefully divided, giving a much quicker way of increasing known plants than raising everything from seed.

Companion Herbs and Related Plants

As a member of the Asteraceae, Arnica links naturally on FloraFauna with a considerable collection of medicinal and useful members of the daisy family:

Calendula – Calendula officinalis
Traditional skin herb with edible flowers.

Chamomile – Matricaria chamomilla
Traditional calming and digestive herb.

Echinacea – Echinacea purpurea
North American perennial traditionally associated with herbal immune preparations.

Wormwood – Artemisia absinthium
Strongly aromatic perennial with a long medicinal and cultural history.

Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
Hardy native perennial traditionally associated with wound care and digestive preparations.

Dandelion – Taraxacum officinale
Edible and medicinal perennial whose leaves, flowers and roots have all traditionally been used.