Arnica

Common names: Arnica also is known as Leopard's bane, mountain tobacco, mountain snuff, and wolf's bane.

Efficacy-safety rating:

●●...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.

Safety rating:

What is Arnica?

User Reviews & Ratings As a treatment for... Avg User Ratings [?] Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow 1 reviews Rate it! 10 Muscle Pain Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Inflammatory Conditions Be the first to rate it 0 reviews Compare with other drugs.

Arnica is a perennial, and a member of the daisy (Asteraceae) family. It has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. The dried flower heads are the primary parts used from the plant. The rhizome also is used. Arnica is native to the mountainous regions from Europe to southern Russia. The unrelated plant, monkshood (Aconitum spp) also is referred to as wolf's bane.

What is Arnica used for?

Internal and external preparations made from the flowering heads of arnica have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Alcoholic tinctures were used by early settlers to treat sore throats, as a febrifuge, and to improve circulation. Homeopathic uses included the treatment of surgical or accidental trauma, as an analgesic, and in the treatment of postoperative thrombophlebitis and pulmonary emboli. It has been used externally for acne, bruises, sprains and muscle aches, and as a general topical counterirritant. Arnica has been used extensively in European folk medicine. German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 to 1832) was said to have drunk arnica tea to ease his angina. Arnica's bactericidal properties were employed for abrasions and gunshot wounds.

Arnica and its extracts have been widely used in folk medicine. It also has been used for heart and circulation problems, to reduce cholesterol, and to stimulate the CNS. Arnica is employed in hair tonics, antidandruff preparations, perfumery, and cosmetics, as well as in homeopathic medicines.

The plant possesses a slight anti-inflammatory and mild analgesic effect. Topical arnica improved feelings of stiffness associated with hard physical exertion when tested on marathon participants. Arnica has been used traditionally as a topical agent to improve wound healing. It has been used externally (eg, ointment, compress) for acne, boils, bruises, rashes, sprains, pains, and other wounds. Some of the constituents in arnica have strong antimicrobial activity. It has bactericidal (against salmonella, for example) and fungicidal activity, as well. The plant also possesses counterirritant properties. Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of arnica for wound healing.

Traditional uses of arnica have been for cardiac disease (as arnica contains a cardiotonic substance), to improve circulation, reduce cholesterol, and stimulate the nervous system. These indications have not been tested clinically.

What is the dosage of Arnica?

Arnica is most commonly used in homeopathic preparations, administered topically for bruising and muscle soreness. No useful information on dosage has been generated by the several clinical trials reported in the literature. Classical use of arnica in nonhomeopathic herbal medicine considered a dose of 100 mg to be typical. However, the toxicity of arnica cautions against internal use.

Is Arnica safe?

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Documented adverse effects. Uterine stimulant action. Avoid use.

None well documented.

Arnica irritates mucous membranes and causes stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

The plant is poisonous and ingestion may cause stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting, dyspnea, cardiac arrest, and death.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page

Add to List

Compare Arnica with other medications for the treatment of:

Epicondylitis, Tennis Elbow, Muscle Pain, Inflammatory Conditions

User reviews

1 review(s) for Arnica