The Properties and Benefits of Arnica Extract

The Arnica Extract or formerly referred to as Arnica Montana or Mountain Tobacco is a popular ingredient in many homeopathic remedies and commercially prepared ointments formulated for the treatment of bruises, wounds, sunburn, joint pain, or sprain-related muscle soreness.

Properties and Safety of Use

Since arnica extract has potent anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties, due to its thymol content, its primary use involves the treatment of external bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. It is also an excellent component in natural remedies for eczema or psoriasis. However, before you begin to use this plant extract, it is essential to remember that it is not suitable for internal use as it can cause severe side effects when consumed.

Helenalin, which is a harmful toxin contained in the neat extract of arnica can cause internal bleeding, severe gastroenteritis, heart palpitation, shortness of breath as well as coma in patients who ingest it. Arnica is only suitable for internal use when it is in its homeopathic pellets form.

On the other hand, because arnica is extremely rich in carotenoids, tannin, antioxidants, fatty acids, and phytonutrients, when applied to the skin topically, it can effectively treat a wide variety of ailments and conditions involving infections, injuries, muscle or joint inflammation or sprains.

Uses

Because of the plant’s chemical composition, arnica extract is widely used for the treatment of the following conditions and ailments:

• Post-surgery pain
• Post-surgery swelling
• Injury caused by childbirth
• Hemorrhoids
• Muscle soreness caused by working out at the gym
• Muscle or joint soreness caused by a sprain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Bruises
• Cuts
• Insect bites
• Migraine
• Headache
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Skin yeast infection
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Influenza backache
• Fibromyalgia
• Lumbar sprain

Availability

Depending on its form, Arnica extract is widely available for internal and external use. The only form that is suitable for internal consumption is its homeopathic medicine form, however, in tincture, gel, or ointment forms it is only applied externally.

Its very best and most potent form available for external use is its tincture form, which can be easily prepared at home, provided that you can get hold of fresh or dried arnica flowers in your country. You will need to add a handful of arnica flowers to 150 ml of grain alcohol in a dark glass or plastic jar. Shake up the contents of the pot 2 to 3 times a day and within a week your homemade arnica tincture will be ready to be used.

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