arnica flowers

Latin Name Arnica mexicana

Other Names Leopard's bane

Part Used Rhizome, Flowers

Affects Integumentary system, Cardiovascular system

Cautions For external use only. Do not use on open wounds.

Description Arnica is mostly used for external purposes in the form of oil or diluted tincture (although it is used internally in homeopathic form) for bruises, muscle or tendon strains or sprains, and stubborn inflammation when the skin is not broken. The highly diluted tincture is also used as a gargle for sore throats. The homeopathic tablets are taken for shock or trauma to body tissues or after an accident.
Further cautions: many people will develop irritation and inflammation using arnica on open wounds; for trauma and shock, to alleviate symptoms such as lightheadedness or dizziness, take arnica internally only in homeopathic dilutions of 6x or higher or commercially available herbal combinations with highly diluted arnica tincture.