Arnica flowers
Arnica flowers (Arnica montana)
Brief Background:
Arnica montana is native to the meadows and mountainous regions of North America. The flowers of the plant are most often used for their medicinal benefit.
Arnica montana is commonly used in topically applied herbal ointments and oils as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent for aches, bruises and sprains on unbroken skin. Highly diluted homeopathic preparations are considered safe and are widely used for the treatment of injuries. However, full doses of arnica may be toxic when ingested orally, often leading to severe irritation of mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract. Arnica may also be cardiotoxic, resulting in high blood pressure
Expert Opinion and Historic Precedent:
Although arnica had been used as a tea or tincture, it is no longer generally used internally due to it potentially toxic and irritating constituents. Homeopathic solutions of arnica are still common used, although opponents of homeopathy believe that any effects are due to placebo effect.
