Western Herbalism
Arnica
Arnica spp.
Also known as Arnicae Flos, Leopard's Bane, Mountain Tobacco, Wolf's Bane, Asafetida, Gum Asafetida.
External. Arnica, in tincture or fomentation, has long been a popular but by no means safe discutient to prevent and discuss inflammatory swellings, and to relieve the soreness of myalgia and the effects of sprains, bruises, and contusions.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Sores (old)
- Edema (w/ tissue injury or fracture)
- Hematoma
- Sprain
- Bruises
- Soft tissue injury
- Sore muscles from overexertion
- Injury (severe)
- Phlebitis
- Pain
- Abscess
- Musculoskeletal strain
- Sore breasts
- Inflammation
- Wounds
- Unbroken chilblains
- Alopecia neurotica
- Insect bites
- Gingivitis
- Aphthous ulcers
- Rheumatoid complaints
- Specifically for sprains
- Injuries
- Consequences of accidents
- Homeopathic preparations
Safety
Recognised toxicity. This plant carries a toxicity flag in the record; it is for trained practitioners only.
Low dose botanical. Used in drop doses in the classical practice; not a plant to dose freely.
Pregnancy: Not for use in pregnancy
Breastfeeding: Not for use while breastfeeding
The record lists 4 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Topical application of tincture | mix 30 ml of 1:10 tincture w 150 ml warm H2O, soak cloth, apply | 30-30 mL |
| Infusion | 1-2 tsp flower/c H2O, infuse, strain, soak cloth, apply | |
| Tincture of arnica flower (BPC 1949) 2 -4 mL for external application only | 2-4 mL | |
| Dose, 1 to 10 grains. | 64.8-648 mg | |
| Specific Medicine Arnica | Dose, 1/4 to 10 drops. | 0.01-0.2 mL |
| Emulsum Asafœtidæ, Emulsion of Asafetida (Milk of Asafetida) | Dose, 1 fluidrachm to 1 fluidounce. | 3.7-29.57 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Therapy. External. Arnica, in tincture or fomentation, has long been a popular but by no means safe discutient to prevent and discuss inflammatory swellings, and to relieve the soreness of myalgia and the effects of sprains, bruises, and contusions.
Therapy. Asafetida is carminative and antispasmodic, and is a very useful nervine for functional spasmodic affections. It is especially adapted to neurotic individuals subject to hysterical or emotional attacks, usually attended by flatulent distention of the abdomen.
Therapy. In small doses, arnica causes increased perspiration, increased secretion of urine, and an accelerated pulse. Its tonic influence upon the nervous system, and directly upon the heart and circulatory organs, make it a useful remedy indeed.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This tincture is principally used as a local application to sprains, bruises, wounds, etc., but it may also be used internally in all cases where arnica would be applicable. The dose is from 1 to 30 drops.
Drawn from Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy; Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
Often paired with
asafoetidaFerula asafoetida
aloe veraAloe vera
Socotrine aloesAloes socotrina
Opium poppyPapaver somniferumNearby on the shelf
Arabian jasmineJasminum sambac
Areca nutAreca catechu
ArjunaTerminalia arjuna
Armeniaca vulgarisArmeniaca vulgaris
Arrow-GrassTriglochin
Arrowleaf balsamrootBalsamorhiza sagittata
Arrowleaf sidaSida rhombifolia
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