Arnica Remedies

Arnica, also known as leopard's bane, wolfsbane, mountain tobacco and arnica montana, is a member of the Compositae (Asteraceae) plant family. It has been used medicinally by Europeans and Native Americans for centuries and was smoked in Siberia and central Europe as a substitute for tobacco. As of the 21st century, it is primarily used in herbal medicine as a remedy for muscle aches, inflammation, wounds and trauma, swelling and bruising of soft tissues.

Bruises, Sprains and Swelling

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, arnica is often the first remedy used by herbal practitioners for sprains and bruises. German studies have identified compounds in arnica called sesquiterpenoid lactones--including helenalin and dihydrohelenalin--that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. These effects may help with bruises, sprains, swelling, inflammation and other soft tissue trauma.

Other Uses

• Arnica is also used as a remedy for rheumatic pain, swelling from fractures, insect bites and phlebitis, which is the inflammation of leg or arm veins caused by various reasons, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Medicinal Forms

• Arnica is never taken internally unless via homeopathic remedies because of the potential of severe--even deadly--side effects. It is usually applied topically in the form of creams, ointments, tinctures, salves and poultices on unbroken skin.

Homeopathic Remedies

• Homeopathic arnica remedies from a qualified practitioner are the only medicinal arnica remedies that can be taken internally. This is because homeopathic medicine dilutes the active ingredients so much that many scientific tests can not detect them.

Tincture

• Tinctures can be used as a base for poultice, compress, mouthwash, cream and ointment arnica remedies. Creams and ointments can contain 20 to 25 percent tincture; tinctures in compresses and poultices must be diluted three to 10 times with water, and tinctures for mouthwashes must be diluted 10 times with water. To make a tincture, combine 4 ounces of fresh or dried arnica flowers with 1 pint of brandy, gin or vodka, or until the alcohol covers the flowers. Stir the mixture, place it in a glass jar in a dark cupboard for three to five weeks, shaking it several times a day. Then strain it, discard the flowers and store the liquid in tight, dark, clearly labeled glass bottles.

Ointment

• If making an arnica ointment remedy directly from arnica flowers, combine 1 ounce of dried or powdered flowers with 1 ounce of olive oil. Cook for several hours on low heat, then--while it's still warm--combine with melted beeswax until it's the desired consistency. While it's warm, pour the ointment in a dark, clearly labeled glass jar and seal it tightly once cooled.

Infusion

• To make an arnica infusion remedy, combine 2 to 3 teaspoons of chopped, fresh flowers with 2 cups of fresh, non-chlorinated, lightly boiling water in a warm glass cooking vessel. Cover the mixture, simmer it for 10 minutes, strain it and discard the flowers. This will keep two days in the fridge and is a quick way to prepare an external arnica remedy that can be applied to unbroken skin for rheumatic pain, bruises and sprains.