Common Names:
Arnica, Leopard's Bane, Mountain Tobacco.
Parts Used:
Flowers, rhizomes.
Historical Uses:
Arnica has been used traditionally as a topical agent to improve wound healing and as a counter-irritant. It has been employed extensively to treat sprains, bruises and contusions.
Arnica has also been used for relieving pain in rheumatism and is regarded as a particularly useful treatment in lumbago and back pains. It has been applied to pressure points when under emotional and physical shocks, upsets, anxiety, when frightened or in case of high cholesterol.
It is also said to relieve sore throat.
Contraindications:
For external use only. Avoid contact with open wounds.
Adverse reactions:
Not for internal use as it may be toxic.
Dosage:
Make several applications externally to the area until relief is felt. An overnight soak can also be made by putting 40 to 80 drops in ½ cup of water, dampening a cloth or gauze with the solution and covering the injured area. Cover this with plastic sandwich wrap and hold in place with a bandage. Change the dressing once a day and allow the area to dry before reapplying the dressing. The area can be washed between dressings. Discard old dressings.
On the pulse points, apply 5 to 10 drops on each wrist and temple and back of the neck. For sore throat, use a mixture of 10 drops of the extract to one tablespoon of water in a spray bottle and spray on area.
References:
S. Talalaj & Dr A.S. Czechowicz, Herbal Remedies Harmful and Beneficial Effects, Hill of Content, Melbourne, 1989; The Lawrence Review of Natural Products; Dr. A. B. Howard, Herbal Extracts,1990; Product Status Manual, Health Canada, 1993.
