Arnica Flowers

ARNICA FLOWERS

The arnica plant is scientifically called Arnica Montana and is bright yellow in color. It belongs to the family of Asteraceae.
Arnica is colloquially known by a number of different names like Mountain snuff, Wolfs bane, Mountain Tobacco as well as Leopards Bane.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ARNICA FLOWERS

The Arnica flower looks like daisy and grows to almost two feet above the ground. The dried flower of an arnica plant is used majorly in herbal medicines. The stems of the arnica plant are round and extremely hairy. Their endings are in one to three stalks with flowers all across. The leaves of the plant are bright green and have rounded tips.
This plant natively belongs to the mountains of Europe and southern Russia.

THERAPEUTIC POWERS OF ARNICA FLOWER

The arnica flowers are used in a number of internal as well external medicinal preparations. The alcoholic tincture of this flower was used in the earlier times by people to improve blood circulation, relieve sore throats, and also as a febrifuge.

The homeopathic field of medicine uses this herb for the management of accidental trauma, relieving postoperative thrombolphlebitis and also as an analgesic. The concentrates of this plant are used extensively for relieving acne, sprains, muscle pains and bruises.

The arnica flowers are an active ingredient of a number of hair tonics, perfumery, cosmetics and anti-dandruff medicinal preparations. This plant possesses a little anti-inflammatory, as well as, analgesic effect.

Helenalin and dihydrohelenalin are the reason why this plant is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The relieving properties of Arnica extracts help in relieving any problem caused due to excessive physical exertion.
Arnica is known to contain polysaccharides and galacturonic acids that help in strengthening and positively altering the immune system of an individual.

NUTRIENT COMPOSITION

• This herb is rich in Flavonoids like eupafolin, flavonol glucuronides hispidulin, isorhamnetin, patuletin, tricin and betuletol.
• The amines that are present in this plant are choline, trimethylamine and betaine.
• The other components of this plant are bitter compounds arnicin, resin, tannins and caffeic acid.

The available forms of Arnica are majorly ointments and topical creams. This product is used as a base for compresses as well as poultices.

CARE FOR AILMENTS

The medicinal uses of the arnica plant are as follows:

• Bone and muscle health: Helps in relieving health issues such as sprains, muscle pain, superficial phlebitis, inflammation, joint pains, insect bites as well as swelling caused from broken bones.
• Mental health: The homeopathic preparation of this plant is extensively used to relieve cases of stress due to over exertion.
• Dental Health: It is used as a mouth wash and for gargle for someone suffering from inflammation due to mucus membranes.
• Pain management: It is known to reverse the effect of pain that is caused due to prostaglandins.
• Burn protection: It can be used to relieve burns including severe sunburns.

USE IN AROMATHERAPY

The use of arnica flowers in macerated oil is useful for relieving severe bruises, swelling, as well as cramps. Macerated oil refers to a plant matter that is infused into any other base oil to form a complete essential oil.

It is important to note that pure distilled Arnica oil is very poisonous and must never be used with carrier oil which has a low dilution rate.

SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONARY TIPS WHILE USING ARNICA FLOWERS

Arnica is known to be a very potent herb and thus, it must be used judiciously. It has the properties of causing dermatitis when it is used externally and can also cause death if taken internally without proper advice from a certified practitioner.

It is known to contain a compound that acts in the same manner as oxytocin. This compound is used to induce labor and for this particular reason must not be consumed by a pregnant lady.

There are legal restrictions on the use of arnica in some countries. Also, the pure oil that is extracted from this herb is classified as being toxic.

Arnica when taken over a long period of time can cause eczema, blisters as well as peeling of the skin. Arnica is advised not to be used on patches of broken skin. A person suffering from hypersensitivity should also avoid the use of a product that contains arnica.

This herb is almost never advised as an internal herbal remedy. The main reason of this is that it causes dizziness, tremors as well as heart irregularities. It is known to cause vomiting and can also irritate the mucous membranes.

PLANET AYURVEDA PRODUCTS THAT USE THIS HERB

The research team of Planet ayurveda recommends this herb for the patients suffering from sprains, dislocation, low fever, wounds, bruises, edema due to fracture, contusion, low immune systems and paralytie affection to name a few. This herb is used in cosmetic products such as creams, liniment, salve, tinctures and ointments.

It is always better to take herbal medication under guidance from a certified practitioner. We at Planet Ayurveda offer the best management advice and prescribe herbs, supplements and Ayurvedic medicines made from 100 percent natural ingredients that are completely chemical and preservatives free. Our products are vegetarian and made from the best quality organic herbs. We are proud to proclaim that our products are never tested on animals. Opt for Planet Ayurveda herbal products and enjoy the health benefits in everyday living.