Already Kneipp praised the arnica in the highest tones. The ingredients of the yolk-yellow flowers of arnica help especially with external injuries. In the naturopathic literature one finds again and again text parts, in which pastor Sebastian Kneipp praised the various effects of the arnica. Even in his day, it was a Kneipp classic to soak compresses with an arnica tincture and apply them to bruises, contusions or aching muscles. According to Kneipp’s writings, injuries always healed reliably with the help of arnica.
History of arnica
Arnica suffered the same fate as many other medicinal plants. In the Middle Ages, the effectiveness was known, but then it fell more and more into oblivion. Only the farmers grew the plants in their gardens and prepared a tincture from roots and flowers, which they used for inflammatory diseases of all kinds. When in the last century the interest in traditional herbal medicine blossomed again, science also dealt more intensively with arnica. The perennial with the yolk-yellow flowers grows predominantly in alpine regions in large parts of Europe. It requires acidic and nutrient-poor sites and therefore thrives particularly well on rough grasslands, moorland meadows and heaths that are not too dry.
In former times, the sunny meadow slopes of the high alpine region were covered with the bright yellow flowers in large quantities during the summer months. This is probably where the popular name “Bergwohlverleih” comes from. Due to the intensification of agriculture, their natural habitats have declined more and more in recent decades. Today, the arnica has become rare and is on the red list of endangered species. In Germany, it is protected and may not be collected.
Arnica pharmaceutical
In the European Pharmacopoeia, arnica flowers (Arnicae flos) are described as medicinally active constituents of the plant. For pharmaceutical preparations, the dried whole or disintegrated inflorescences of the Arnica montana variety are used. For this purpose, the 40 to 60 centimeter high herbaceous plant is cultivated in fields. Scientists were able to identify the natural anti-inflammatory helenalin as the main active ingredient. It also has analgesic and antiseptic properties. Cell-protecting flavonoids and essential oil round off the active profile of arnica flowers.
Arnica flowers are used externally as a poultice or ointment preparation. These should not be missing in any medicine cabinet, because they have proven themselves as first aiders for external injuries of any kind. They allow bruises, contusions, sprains and contusions to subside more quickly and relieve rheumatic muscle and joint complaints. Arnica tinctures from the pharmacy, diluted according to the package instructions, are suitable for mouth rinses for mouth and gum diseases. Arnica in various potencies (dilutions) is also a popular remedy in homeopathy. Its field of application here includes all consequences of injuries.
Side effects of arnica
Since helenalin has a toxic effect when used internally and can lead to diarrhea, dizzinessI or dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, the internal use of arnica preparations is discouraged today – except in homeopathy. As with many other composites, allergies, for example eczema with blisters, can also occur with arnica after prolonged use. In this case, a doctor should be consulted. In this context, intensive research work has paid off: there are now studies with cultivars that are free of the allergenic substances.
