Arnica

Also called leopard’s bane

Arnica, also called leopard’s bane, is a plant with a bright yellow, daisy-like flower that blooms around July. Homeopathic medicine has obtained extracts from the flowering heads for hundreds of years in its treatments, and at present over 100 drug preparations contains Arnica.

The active components in arnica are sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Other active principals are thymol (an essential oil), flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids and tannins. Rubbing an Arnica cream or salve into the skin will soothe and heal bruises, sprains, irritations, arthritis, muscle and cartilage pain.

Arnica works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells that perform much of the digestion of congested blood, and by dispersing trapped, disorganized fluids from bumped and bruised tissue, joints and muscles, rheumatic pain, and swelling due to insect bites and fractures.

Arnica is known to stimulate blood circulation and can raise blood pressure, especially in the coronary arteries. The plant is used externally for arthritis, burns, ulcers, eczema and acne. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that can reduce pain and swelling, improving wound healing.

But Arnica is toxic, it can cause vomiting, weakness, increased heart rate and nervous disturbances. Do not apply to broken skin. Used topically, it is regarded as safe. Some individuals reported irritated skin and other skin conditions.

Indigo Earth Notes: Arnica, natural but toxic. There are a lot of plants with pain relief abilities, willow bark being the perfect example. There are numerous well established natural products for pain relief and inflammation that work very well. Explore the possibilities of a natural solution to pain.