Arnica

Arnica montana L. (mountain sheep)

Arnica, calendula, elecampane, and chamomile belong to the Asteraceae family. Unlike its relatives, arnica is a rather rare plant. Loves subalpine mountain meadows. Its habitat is limited to the mountains of Central and Western Europe, where it can be found at an altitude of at least 500 m above sea level. Some types of arnica (and there are 32 of them in total) are chosen by Scandinavia, northern India, the Far East and North America.

It is believed that Dioscorides was the first to use this plant and called it “birdweed”, “sneezing grass”. The crushed leaves of this plant replaced snuff. In North America to this day one of the types of arnica is called mountain tobacco.

It is believed that arnica got its name from the Greek “arnikos”, or “arnoe” (lamb), due to the appearance of the dried flower, the fluffy core of which resembles a piece of wool. Apparently, this is why in Rus' arnica was called nothing more than ram.

A detailed description of the healing properties of this plant was made in the 12th century by Abbess Hildegard of Rupertsberg. She recommended using arnica against bruises and bruises. German name for arnicafallkraut - “fall grass” - speaks for itself. It was part of the “water for bruises” along with capital and milkweed, which was written about in the 17th century by the Marquise de Sevigne, who was notorious for her passion for medicine.

Christoph Hufeland, a German physician, prescribed arnica for general weakness resulting from physical or nervous strain, for paralysis, epilepsy and cardiac weakness. Albrecht von Haller claimed that arnica quickly dissolves clotted blood. The Viennese doctor Collin successfully treated intermittent fever with it. He believed that in this case arnica is not inferior to cinchona bark, and he was right. Chemical analysis of arnica essential oil showed that its main component is thymohydroquinine dimethyl ether, the content of which reaches 80%.

V.I. Dahl, Conan Doyle, and Cervantes wrote about the wonderful properties of arnica. It was Goethe's favorite medicine.

Arnica essential oil is produced in minute quantities from the flowers and roots of the plant. Arnica flower oil has a strong aroma, vaguely reminiscent of chamomile, with an unobtrusive hint of tea. The oil obtained from the roots of the plant has a strong bitter odor, characteristic of radish and horseradish. For aromatherapy purposes, it is recommended to use essential oil from mountain arnica inflorescences.

Medicinal properties

1. Prescribed for bronchitis, flu, colds.
2. Effective for hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiosclerosis, angina pectoris, cardiac vasospasms, myocarditis, cardiac weakness and edema.
3. A good choleretic and diuretic.
4. Analgesic for toothache, rheumatism, joint dislocations, gout, bone fractures, neuralgia, lumbago.
5. Lowers blood cholesterol levels.
6. Recommended for diseases associated with heavy lifting.
7. Hemostatic agent for uterine bleeding associated with hormonal disorders and inflammatory diseases of the genital area, poor contractility in the postpartum period, heavy menstruation.
8. Prescribed for bruises, abrasions, hematomas, pustular skin diseases, trophic ulcers, carbuncles, boils, psoriasis, erythema nodosum, vitiligo, mild burns and frostbite.
9. In folk medicine it is known as a hemostatic agent for external and internal bleeding, as well as an anti-inflammatory for gynecological diseases, a diuretic and diaphoretic. Used for fever, muscle pain, stomach diseases, paralysis, convulsions, infectious and allergic diseases with predominant inflammatory damage to the blood vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
10. Effective for emotional shock, epilepsy, concussion and cerebral hemorrhage. Tones and stimulates the central nervous system, with increasing doses it has a sedative effect, preventing the development of seizures.
11. Recommended for facial redness, dilated blood vessels, oily and porous skin, dandruff and excess sebum secretion in the hair, baldness, and baldness. Strengthens and stimulates hair growth.

Dosage

Oil burner: 1-2 k.

Enrichment of cosmetics: 1 k. per 20 g of base or alcohol tincture 1:10.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance.

Note. Use only as recommended by a physician. Avoid overdose and do not take arnica essential oil internally.