INCI Name

Description

What is it?

Arnica montana or Leopard's Bane is a perennial herb, indigenous to Central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures, and also native to Siberia and North West North America. It has also been found in England and southern Scotland, but it is probably not indigenous to Britain. Parts used are the flowers.

In countries where Arnica is indigenous, it has long been a popular remedy for bruises, wounds, pain, swellings, rheumatic pain, the pain and inflammation of phlebitis and similar conditions. In North America the flowers are used in preference to the roots. Arnica has been used extensively in folk medicine. The German philosopher and poet Goethe (1749-1832), claimed that Arnica helped to ease his angina in old age.

Action/Benefits

• Whilst the internal use of Arnica is restricted to homoeopathic use as it is potentially toxic, the herb provides us with one of the best remedies for external local healing and is mainly used in a Compress for bruises, swellings, inflammations and other tissue damage caused by sprains, bumps, bangs and crushing.
• Arnica is also good for treating pulled muscles and torn ligaments, for gout, lumbago and rheumatic ailments. 
• The plant’s Essential Oils (which are antiseptic and anti-inflammatory) and carotene promote healing. The Essential Oil stimulates the mopping up and reabsorption of blood from the bruised tissue and hastens the replacement of damaged tissue with new cells.
• For External Use: Arnica is made mostly in Tincture form and then mainly used in a Compress, Cream or Ointment. We now also supply Organic Macerated Arnica Oil.

Which products to use it in

• Arnica Tincture must always be diluted in some way, as prolonged contact with the skin can cause severe redness and tissue damage and must not be used on broken skin or open wounds.
• Caution: Remember not to apply Arnica products to an open wound or broken skin.
• Arnica Tincture is mainly used in creams, lotions, sports creams, and sports ointments and gels.
• Arnica Tincture should be diluted with up to 9 parts water (use approximately 10%) and the Compress dipped into this and then applied wet to the affected area. This should be held in place with a cloth bandage. Do not use any plastics as it is important that the area should not be made airtight. The bandage should be changed regularly, as soon as it dries.
• Arnica Cream or Lotion is a favourite of athletes and others participating in active sports. 
• Very good to use in eye care products like gels to prevent puffiness around the eyes. Use up to 3% Arnica Tincture in gels for this purpose.

Water or oil-soluble?

Water soluble.

Can I add it to ready-made products?

You can add it to all ready made products, like creams, lotions and shampoos but beware that all of them become thinner when you add an alcohol based product to a product based on emulsifiers, detergents and gels.

Recommended Dosage/How to use in products 

• In Compresses use approx 10%.
• Creams and lotions use up to 15% and then it will also help to preserve the product together with another preservative.
• Massage bars, ointments and balms use up to 10% otherwise the Tincture will separate from the ready made product. Optimal would be closer to 5%.
• Beware that the high content then can dry out the skin, so a good average could be to use 3-7% Tincture in products. 
• For an in depth article on how to use Herbs in your products please refer to the Skin Care Library at the bottom of this page

Storage and Shelf Life

Store in a cool dark place and will keep for up to 6 years. 

Arnica Recipes

Arnica Compress

Use on sprains, bruises, swollen skin, pains, and herpes blisters. Using Arnica on burns increases the bleeding-through and reduces scar formation.

The skin should not be in contact with Arnica for more than 6 hours a day as contact for longer can create skin irritation. Never take Arnica internally, except in homoeopathic doses.

You will need:

50ml warm water at blood temperature, 37°C
1 teaspoon Arnica Tincture

Method:

To follow the method for Wet Compresses please see separate article on Wet Compresses in the Skin Care Library.

Arnica Ointment

Stage 1  

15g Beeswax

20ml Arnica Oil

15ml Comfrey Oil

10ml St John’s Wort Oil

10ml Avocado Oil

Stage 2  

15ml Calendula Oil

5ml Borage Oil

Stage 3  

5ml Arnica Tincture

4ml/g Vitamin E Oil

Stage 4  

15-20 drops Essential Oils of your choice

Method:

1. Melt Stage 1 ingredients first in a double boiler.
2. When melted, add Stage 2 ingredients and stir well.
3. Then stir in Stage 3 ingredients.
4. Finally add the Essential Oils and stir in thoroughly.
5. Place in jars and allow to settle.

Related/Synergistic Products

For treatment of bruises, sprains, and swelling

Combine arnica tincture with Comfrey products, Witch Hazel products, Rosemary products, St John’s Wort products and Calendula products. 

To treat pulled muscles and torn ligaments

Combine arnica tincture with Comfrey products and Calendula products

To treat rheumatic ailments

Combine arnica tincture with Chamomile products, Comfrey products, St John’s Wort products and Black Pepper Essential Oil. Works well when combined with Arnica Macerated Oil.

 

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