Genus: Arnica
Common name: Mountain tobacco, Leopard’s bane
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae (Sunflower and Daisy)
Native to the high alpine meadows of Europe and the mountain slopes of Siberia, Northern Asia, and South America, Arnica montana is a perennial herb with pretty yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom atop 1-2 foot stems from May to August. The fragrant blossoms are composed of many disc florets. The plant is known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries for the external treatment of wounds, sore muscles, black eye, sprains, and bruising. The flowers are dried and infused for use in tinctures, creams, and ointments.
Arnica Montana is often the first homeopathic remedy that people learn about because of its soothing effect on painful wounds caused by trauma or after surgery. In fact, this remedy is routinely prescribed to aid recovery after plastic surgery. It is useful to reduce symptoms of pain, swelling, and bruising after a head injury, an accident, childbirth, or other physical trauma. The person needing Arnica may be in shock, will want to be left alone and not touched.
Keynotes:
- First aid after injuries
- For the long term effects of trauma
- Sprains, bruising, and pain after dental procedures and surgery
- Labor and childbirth, urine retention after childbirth
- Blunt trauma or foreign body to the eyeball
- Head injury, concussion
- Bruised soreness, sensation as if beaten
- Soreness after over-exertion, arthritis
- Denial of injury, “I’m okay. Leave me alone.”
- Putrid, “rotten egg” odor of burps or gas
- Symmetrical eruptions, eczema, psoriasis, boils
- Worse cold and damp
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.