Plants for Health Spotlight: Arnica: The Wonder Herb?

Plants for Health Spotlight: Arnica: The Wonder Herb?

Arnica, which is also called as leopard's bane, is an herbal plant that has a light yellow, daisy-like flower that blooms around July. But arnica is more than just a beautiful flower. Some preparations are made from its flowering heads for homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years. Arnica is widely used from different places around the cosmos, and it established its original place in Germany where the arnica herb is so popular with over a hundred drug preparations created from the whole plant itself. Arnica is a perennial plant that is protected in parts of Europe. The arnica plant has particularly active components known as sesquiterpene lactones that are highly beneficial in reducing inflammation and are known to decrease pain.
It also has other active principals like the thymol, which is an essential oil, flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids, and tannins. Aside from that, arnica has also a bitter yellow crystalline principle, arnicin and phulin. It is noted by some experts and researchers that the arnica flower contains more arnicin than the rhizome, but no tannin. In some European countries where arnica is indigenous, arnica has long been a very popular remedy for certain illnesses. In the North American colonies, the arnica flowers are widely applied in preference to the rhizome.
It is also largely considered that the flower of this wonder herb has a tincture that is useful for external use such as for sprains, bruises, and wounds and also for chilblains when the skin is unbroken. There are also some reports which show that arnica functions through stimulation. It stimulates the activity of the white blood cells which do a lot of digestion of heaving blood. It also works by means of dispersing the trapped and messy fluids from bumped and bruised tissues, muscles as well as joints.
Due to its great potential for healing various illnesses, this particular herb also acquired its reputation for stimulating blood circulation and can raise blood pressure, most especially in the coronary arteries. It is therefore not recommended for internal use these days and the FDA state it as UNSAFE FOR INGESTION. Aside from such uses, the arnica herb is also applied topically to treat for arthritis, ulcers, burns, eczema, and acne. And it is found out that this plant has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities that have potential for reducing the pain and swelling, as well as for fast relief on wounds. Arnica has also been stated in the past to be good for chapped lips and irritated nostrils. (As there is a possibility for this to be inhaled, its best to avoid these areas for use altogether.) However, in applying the arnica herb anywhere, one must know that repeated applications may make serious inflammation. Arnica must not be taken internally due to its irritant effect on the stomach, circulation, nervous system and more. It’s also diuretic. Aside from that, extra caution should always be exercised, as arnica is sometimes not applicable for some people. Particularly those who are sensitive to the plant as many serious cases of poisoning have been documented from its wrongful use. The internal use of arnica can cause stomach irritation, vomiting, weakness, nervous disturbances, increased heartrate, raised blood pressure, tremors and more, even serious ill-health and possibly be fatal. So please respect this amazing herb and use only topically as described by the information sheet in the packaging or as prescribed by your herbalist, naturopath or physician.
 
Be well.
 
Disclaimer- Article for entertainment and information purposes only. Always seek a medical opinion before trying any new supplements or nutrition routine and never stop taking medication without speaking to your medical provider
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