{"id":936,"date":"2013-05-02T08:40:27","date_gmt":"2013-05-02T12:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eyecandypopper.com\/?p=936"},"modified":"2019-03-02T16:37:10","modified_gmt":"2019-03-02T21:37:10","slug":"discover-your-weeds-arnica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flexitariannutrition.com\/discover-your-weeds-arnica\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover your weeds: Arnica"},"content":{"rendered":"

In my natural pharmacy, I have a few plants that I always make sure to have in stock, because I know that with them, I can treat pretty much anything that comes my way. Arnica is one of them. I use it externally in an ointment (from Clef des champs<\/a>, made in Quebec, using organic or wild-crafted plants and herbs) for anything to do with bruises\/trauma, blood circulation and muscle pains or soreness. I’ve used it internally in a homeopathic form on a few occasions, like after a painful visit at the dentist removing my impacted wisdom teeth. It sped up the healing of the wounds. In case of an accident (like last year when I injured my knee snowboarding), I took it internally in homeopathic form (Traumeel) and externally in a cream. The combination worked really well!<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A little bit of history<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the 1500s, interest in arnica had shifted from the magical to the medicinal. Italian physician and herbalist Pietro Andrea Mattioli wrote favorably about the herb’s healing properties in his botanical masterpiece, Commentarii in Sex Libros Pedacii Dioscoridis<\/em>, which was first published in 1544. Arnica found a place in the folk medicine of many other European countries, especially Germany and Austria, where it remains an important medicinal herb to this day. Arnica montana<\/em> is currently an ingredient in more than a hundred German herbal preparations. Originally, the entire plant, including the roots, was used in preparing herbal remedies, but now typically only the flower heads are used.<\/p>\n

In the U.S., arnica has never enjoyed the popularity it does in Europe. Nevertheless, preparations of this herb are readily available – as gels, ointments, creams, and sprays – for external use in treating bruises, muscle strains, sprains and dislocations, arthritis and rheumatic pain, phlebitis, and swelling due to fractures. Arnica salves can be an effective remedy for chapped lips and acne. Tinctures of arnica are also common for use as a base in making compresses and poultices. Arnica in its herbal form is primarily restricted to these types of topical application because it can cause serious side effects if taken internally.<\/p>\n

1820 – Arnica is officially added to the U.S. Pharmacopeia (and removed in 1960)<\/p>\n

1830s – German writer Goethe (1749-1832) drinks arnica tea in old age for angina<\/p>\n

1880 – Homeopathy founder S. Hahnemann notes arnica’s use for bruises and sprains<\/p>\n

1981 – A. montana<\/em> compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic activity identified<\/p>\n

Therapeutic uses<\/strong><\/p>\n