Arnica montana  Arnica,   Family: Asteraceae   
PART USED: Flowers
ACTIONS-Toxic- do not injest.
External use only
GROUP: Herbs for trauma and recovery- Vulnerarys
1 . Rubefacient. Counter irritant.[1] Stimulant.[3]
INDICATIONS- Herbal extract toxic and not to be injested.[3]
Topically
Precaution- Use only on unbrocken skin, discontinue use if irritation occurs.[1]
1. Bruises.[1,2,3] Muscle pain.[3] Sprains,[1] sore or tired feet, cramps. After trauma to minimize bruising and swelling.
2. Unbroken chillblains.[1] Alopecia neurotica.[1]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Sprains, bruises as topical application.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Bruises and sprains- use with Witch Hazel bark as topical application.
PREPARATIONS
Tincture (BPC1949) for external application.[1,3]
Local: Ointment, compress, footbath 1:20, tincture:water.[2]
Very often Homeopathic preparations are used for external injuries.

ORIGIN: Central Europe.
DESCRIPTION: A small herbaceous perennial. Flowers; the florets are yellow and receptacle darker or more orange in color and hairy.
References
[1] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
[2] Herbal Materia Medica Course Notes For Diploma of Naturopathy and Diploma of Herbalism Students by Lydia Mottram.
[3] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.
Images
1. en.wikipedia.org by Bernd Haynold CC BY-SA 2.5
2. alyon.org
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Sesquiterpene lactones; including the pseudoguanolides- arnifolin, the arnicolides,[1] helenalin.[2]
Flavonoids;[6] eupafolin, patuletin, spinacetin.[3] Methylated flavonoids; betuletol, hispidulin.[4]
Volatile oil 0.5-1%,[6] containing thymol.[2]
Bitter principle- Arnicin.[6] Anthoxanthine.[6] Arnisterol.[6]
Resin.[6] Tannin.[6]Mucilage and polysaccharides.[5] Carotenes.
References
[1] Halub, M. et al. (1975) Phytochem. 14, 1659
[2] Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, Albert Y. Leung. Pub. John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1980) NY
[3] Merfort, I. (1985) Planta Med. 51 (2), 136
[4] Merfort, I. (1984) Planta Med 50 (1), 107
[5] Wagnet, H, in Advances in Chinese Medicinal Materials Research, Eds H. M. Chang et al. Pub. World Scientific (1986) Singapore
[6] British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983 Published by the British Herbal Medicine Association ISBN 0 903032 07 4.
Research
Arnica ia an immuno-stimulant, both the sesquiterpene lactone helenalin and the polysaccharide fraction stimulate phagocytosis in vitro when measured by Brandt's granulocyte test. Sesquiterpene lactones are known to have anti-inflammatory activity. Helenalin is one of the most active, which would account for the use of Arnica for pain and inflammation.