Arnica Side Effects and Benefits

Arnica Side Effects and Benefits

Arnica Side Effects and Benefits

Arnica Montana [Leopards Bane, European Arnica]

Arnica Montana is native to Europe, Siberia and North West N. America.
Some herbalists use its flower heads for medical uses, they collect the
flower in the summer. Arnica Montana is a rich source of sesquiterpene
lactones, flavonoids, volatile oil, mucilage, polysaccharides, resins,
bitters (arnicin), tannins, carotenes etc. Sesquiterpene lactones are
considered as their main active compounds for the treatment of
inflammatory diseases. [2]

This herb is toxic, it should not be taken internally. However, it may
provides us with one of the best remedies for external local healing
such as bruises and sprains, rheumatic pain, and inflammation of
phlebitis. [1]

PREPARATION

Arnica Tincture

Pour 1/2 liter of 70% alcohol over 50 grams of freshly picked flowers.
Seal it tightly in a clear glass container and let it stand for at least a
week in the sun or in a warm place. Filter it and it is ready for use.

Arnica Montana Extract

Arnica Montana Extract is an extract of dried flowerheads of the plant,
Arnica montana.

Techniques for preparing Arnica Montana Extract include hydroalcoholic
maceration, gentle disintegration in soybean oil and propylene glycol
and butylene glycol extractions. The composition of these extracts can
include fatty acids, especially palmitic, linoleic, myristic, and linolenic
acids, essential oil, triterpenic alcohols, sesquiterpene lactones,
sugars, phytosterols, phenol acids, tannins, choline, inulin, phulin,
arnicin, flavonoids, carotenoids, coumarins, and heavy metals. [3]

RESEARCH FINDINGS

ANTI-Sesquiterpene lactones from Arnica have been shown to attack
inflammatory processes at a very central point by inhibiting the
transcription factors NF-kappa B and NF-AT. Both NF-kappa B and NF-AT
transcription factors regulate the transcription of genes encoding for
many inflammatory mediators. A few clinical studies also show that
they may support the treatment of rheumatic diseases. [2]

A double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of forty
patients showed that treatment with homeopathic Arnica montana and
Bellis perennis may reduce postpartum blood loss. [4]

Arnica Montana Side Effects and Safety

Arnica Montana Extract has been used in almost 100 cosmetic
formulations across a wide range of product types. Extracts of Arnica
Montana were tested and found not toxic in acute toxicity tests in
rabbits, mice, and rats. [3] However, Arnica dermatitis is reported in
individuals who handle arnica flowers. [3] Ingestion of A.
montana-containing products has induced severe gastroenteritis,
nervousness, accelerated heart rate, muscular weakness, and death.
[3]

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REFERENCES

[1] The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins Technology

[2] Merfort I Arnica: new insights on the molecular mode of action of a
traditional medicinal plant Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2003
Apr;10 Suppl 1:45-8.
[3] Final report on the safety assessment of Arnica montana extract and Arnica
montana. Int J Toxicol. 2001;20 Suppl 2:1-11.
[4] Oberbaum M. The effect of the homeopathic remedies Arnica montana and
Bellis perennis on mild postpartum bleeding--a randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study--preliminary results. Complement Ther Med. 2005
Jun;13(2):87-90.