Arnica, also called Arnica montana, is a plant that is native to the mountainous regions of Europe and southern Russia. 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.
We ONLY use Arnica from Germany NOT Mexico, which is subpar product. We believe in quality, period. One seller I know of sells Mexican Arnica! True Arnica comes from Elevations over 2700 feet! We carry ONLY Arnica Montana; We get ours from Germany between Nuremberg and Munich.
Don't be fooled by cheap imitations anyone who sells Heterotheca inuloides shows their poor quality. What else are they selling you that is poor quality?!!
There is a major difference between Arnica grown in Europe and “Arnica” from Mexico:
‘That grown in Mexico is not Arnica at all. The species name for Mexico-grown “Arnica” is actually Heterotheca inuloides. Although both plants share similar uses, Heterotheca is not an Arnica plant species. Additionally, this plant is more readily available and far less expensive’ It is also known as “False arnica, Árnica mexicana, Árnica del país”
We also use it in our Bengal Balm, our organic muscle rub.
The flowers and leaves of this plant have many traditional medicinal uses. People take arnica by mouth for sore mouth and throat, pain such as pain after surgery or wisdom tooth removal, insect bites, painful and swollen veins near the surface of the skin (superficial phlebitis), bruising, muscle pain, vision problems due to diabetes, stroke, and for causing abortions.
Arnica is applied to the skin for pain and swelling associated with bruises, aches, and sprains. It is also applied to the skin for insect bites, arthritis, muscle and cartilage pain, chapped lips, and acne.
In foods, Arnica is a flavor ingredient in beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins, and puddings.
In manufacturing, Arnica is used in hair tonics and anti-dandruff preparations. The oil is used in perfumes and cosmetics.
How does it work?
The active chemicals in arnica may reduce swelling, decrease pain, and act as antibiotics.
Osteoarthritis - Early research shows that using an arnica gel product (A. Vogel Arnica Gel, Bioforce AG, Switzerland) twice daily for 3 weeks reduces pain and stiffness and improves function in people with osteoarthritis in the hand or knee. Other research shows that using the same gel works as well as the painkiller ibuprofen in reducing pain and improving function in the hands.
What is it used for?
People use Arnica as a cream or gel for soothing muscle aches and inflammations and healing wounds. When applied to the skin, it may improve healing by decreasing swelling and pain and speeding blood reabsorption.
People also apply arnica to the skin for treatment of acne, boils, and rashes.
Is it safe?
Arnica is recommended for external use only. Do not put Arnica inside your mouth or swallow it. The plant is poisonous and, if swallowed, it can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, cardiac arrest, and death.
How to use
Speed up healing. Following accidents, surgery or sports-related injuries, use homeopathic arnica to relieve soreness, bruising, swelling and pain when used on unbroken skin.
Make compresses: Use on sore muscles, sprains and joints. Mix 1 oz. of homeopathic Arnica tincture with 10 oz. of warm water. Soak your compress in the mixture, and then gently wring out and apply to the painful area. Save your mixture; you can continue to soak and use the compress to treat an injury for 24 hours.
Make arnica oil: Mix 1 oz. of homeopathic Arnica tincture with 5 oz. of carrier oil to make arnica oil for topical use.
Make a liniment using rubbing alcohol: Place 4 oz. of dried Arnica blossoms in a pint size glass jar. Add 16 oz. of rubbing alcohol. Tighten the lid. Store at room temperature for 14 days. With the lid intact, gently swirl the contents once daily. After two weeks, filter the liquid through a mesh kitchen strainer.
Make a liniment using Vodka: Crumble Arnica flowers with your fingers.
Add the crumbled flowers to a jar into which you have measured a quantity of vodka. The ratio is one part arnica flower to five parts vodka. The actual quantities you use will depend on how much arnica gel you want to make.
Shake the jar to mix in the Arnica flowers. Put the jar in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet or closet where it will remain for the next four weeks. Shake the jar vigorously at least once a day.
After four to six weeks, strain the contents of the jar through a paper towel or coffee filter over a colander into a bowl. The strained liquid is the Arnica extract. Pour it into a small jar, preferably amber-colored to protect it from light.
Arnica is often listed as an ingredient in homeopathic products; however, these products are usually so dilute that they contain little or no detectable amount of arnica.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don't take Arnica by mouth or apply to the skin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is considered LIKELY UNSAFE.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Arnica may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before applying it to your skin. Do not take Arnica by mouth.
Broken skin: Don't apply arnica to damaged or broken skin. Too much could be absorbed.
Digestion problems: Arnica can irritate the digestive system. Don't take it if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcers, Crohn's disease, or other stomach or intestinal conditions.
Fast heart rate: Arnica might increase your heart rate. Don't take Arnica if you have a fast heart rate.
High blood pressure: Arnica might increase blood pressure. Don't take Arnica if you have high blood pressure.
Surgery: Arnica might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate Arnica in the same way it regulates medicine. It can be sold with limited or no research on how well it works or on its safety.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination!
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with ARNICA
Arnica might slow blood clotting. Taking arnica along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.<br/><br/> Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative product or if you are thinking about combining one with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative product.
As with any herbal remedy, Everything in Moderation including Moderation!