Arnica montana
Arnica
Arnica is a member of one of the largest plant families, Asteraceae, which contains more than 1,600 genera and 23,000 species, and includes 13 subfamilies.
Despite the considerable familial size, the Arnica genus, and most notably Arnica montana, has made a name for itself. A. montana has become one of the most known herbs of not only the Asteraceae family, but of the much larger plant kingdom.
A. annua
Arnica is notorious for being intimidating; however, its basic uses have continued unchanged throughout history. It is an herb of considerable use for pain and conditions that are often tough and troublesome to address. All uses of it require respect and some call for expert guidance, but it is anything but a frightening herb. Arnica is a true stand out in the herbal world, showing up to provide support in the worst of times.
Arnica is “one of the best external remedies for local healing and may be considered a specific when it comes to the treatment of bruises and sprains.”
- David Hoffmann, Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine.
Arnica is well known for its use in cases of injury, and has been employed for thousands of years in the European Alps. It also has a history of use among various Native American groups such as the Catawba, who have traditionally used Arnica acaulis tea as an external wash for back pain.
Cherokee herbalist J.T. Garrett mentions the current use of A. cordifolia, A. montana, and other arnica species among the Cherokee; it is applied topically for issues such as bruises, joint and muscle aches, sprains, and edema.
Moreover, arnica’s anti-inflammatory, analgesic, vulnerary, and rubefacient actions are commonly used in Western herbalism to ease pain, inflammation, swelling, and bruising associated with traumatic injuries such as fractures, sprains, and contusions. It is renowned for soothing muscular pain from overexertion and is considered an invaluable ally for athletes or anyone else who puts in a hard day’s work and has the aches to show for it.