| 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]
HOME
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.
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]
HOME
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.
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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
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