ARNICA

Plant Description

Arnica is perennial plant having more than 30 species; it is a member of sunflower family. It has yellow flowers having slight aromatic smell. ^[1] Stems are round and hairy and it is ending in one to three flower stalks. Leaves are green and hairy.^[2] Fresh or dried flower heads are used in medicinal preparations. ^[2] Arnica is native to Europe, while it is also cultivated in North America. ^[2]

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Historical Use

Arnica Montana has been used in herbal remedy for centuries and is also popular nowadays. When applied topically arnica is used as a cream, ointment, liniment or tincture. Europeans and Americans used arnica to ease during muscle discomfort, to reduce swelling as well as to heal wounds. Arnica is regularly used as a first remedy in injuries such as sprains and bruises. ^{[1, 2]}

Topical Application

The most important application of arnica is its topical applications. Arnica is working well as a topical applicant because of its thymol derivatives that are concentrated in the plants roots. Arnica preparation use topically and have been inveterate to reduce inflammation and assist normal healing processes. The underlying mechanism is that the thymol derivatives are facilitating transport of blood and fluid accumulations through a dilating action of blood capillaries in injured tissue and hence reduce inflammation and improves healing. ^[1]

Wound Healing

Arnica is use as topical applicant to improve and speeds up wound healing by its actions to reduce pus formation, internal bleeding and swelling of wound. ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}

Injuries and Accidents

Arnica is also useful in condition of injuries, it reduces dislocation of muscle, swelling or blood accumulation at the site of wound as evident in case of fractures.^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}

Insect Bite

Arnica also shows its favorable effects when applied on insect bite and reduces severity of toxin and itching. ^[3]

Effects on Swelling

It may reduce the swelling and pus of furuncles. ^[3]

Muscle and Joint Discomfort

Use of arnica is also having wholesome effect during discomfort of muscle and joints as occur by overstretching of them and technically termed as sprains and strains. ^{[1, 2, 3]} 

Acne and Sunburn

Use of arnica also has beneficial effects on skin and may reduce acne and sunburn.^[5]

References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnica
2. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/arnica-000222.htm
3. Norman Grainger Bisset (Ed.) (1994) Max Wichtl Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceutical. Page No. 85. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers.
4. James A. Duke (1997). The Green Pharmacy, Page No. 99, 102, 420, 152. Pennsylvania: Rodale Press Emmaus.
5. http://www.faqs.org/health/topics/72/Dislocations-and-subluxations.html

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.