Arnica

Arnica montana L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in mountains to alpine meadows, pastures, and light forests, up to the alpine level. It is found in mountainous regions of Europe and North America and produces yellow, pearly flowers. Both the roots and flowers have long been used medicinally for many health purposes. Extracts from the roots have been used externally to treat bruises and sprains, rheumatic pains, varicose veins, and skin irritations.

In addition, this friendly herb has also been widely used in homeopathy to stimulate the immune system. Each part of the A. montana plant contains various components, such as:

• Lactones
• Thymol derivatives
• Lactic acid, phenolic acid, and flavonoids have excellent biological activities, including antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

• Arnica is a popular holistic remedy for physical pain caused by trauma, surgery, and inflammation. Studies have shown that arnica is an effective alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relieving pain after trauma or surgery.
• Reduces swelling: Arnica is particularly well known for reducing swelling from sprains, muscle strains, and fractures.
• Relieves osteoarthritis: Arnica also appears to help common symptoms of osteoarthritis, such as joint pain and stiffness. Studies have shown that daily application of arnica gel can help relieve pain and improve hand function as well as ibuprofen gel.
• Supports bruise healing. Stimulates white blood cell production and is thought to help remove congested blood and fluid from the affected area.
• Relieves skin conditions: as an antioxidant, arnica relieves the symptoms of acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It also has moisturizing properties. Pure arnica extract should not be applied to the skin, but arnica can be mixed with oils to help with dry skin problems.