Arnica
Botanical Name: Arnica Montana
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
Other Names: A. fulgens, A. sororia, European arnica, leopard’s bane, mountain tobacco, wolf bane
Habitat: Heaths, grasslands
Description: Perennial alpine aromatic herb. Up to 60cm/2ft branching stems Basal leaves ovate or obovate Stem leaves opposite un-stalked Daisy like flower June-August
Native to: Central Europe, Scandinavia, India
Part used: Flower heads
Cultivation: Full sun, well drained soil 30-60cm/1-2ft
Harvesting: Flowers between June – August
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, stimulant, vulnerary
Extraction: Steam distillation of flowers, root
Constituents: Thymohdroquinone dimethyl ether (80%), isobutyric ester of phlorol (20%), sesquiterpenes lactones including pseudoguanolides arnifolin, the arnicolides, helenalin. bitter glycosides, alaloid, polyacetylenes, flavonoids –eupafolin, patuletin, spinacetin, laciniatin, betuletol, hispidulin. Volatile oil –thymol. Mucilage and polysaccharides. Tannin
Combines with: Witch hazel
Skin: Bruises
Other Uses: Skin products, tobacco
Other Notes: Becoming rare in the wild and is legally protected in some countries
Cautions: Toxic –do not use internally