Herb Profile: Arnica

ArnicaArnica chamissonis 

Arnica is an excellent herb used primarily externally for injuries, bruises, aches or strains where the skin is not broken. Arnica is considered to be toxic for internal use unless taken in minute or homeopathic doses.

 

Preparations: Arnica Oil

To make an oil infusion with the fresh flowers, lightly pack the fresh flowers into a glass jar. Cover the herbs with oil pushing them down as you pour in the oil, be sure all plant material is covered by the oil even if this means increasing the ratio of oil to plant. Cover the jar loosely and allow oil and herbs to steep for 1 moon cycle, about 4 weeks before straining. Check regularly and add more oil as needed, the flowers should always be covered with oil. Strain using cheesecloth or muslin into a clean jar, label and use externally for injuries.

 

Cautions/Contraindications

Unsafe for internal use except in minute or homeopathic doses.

 

Disclaimer

The information on this page has not been approved by the FDA. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before using herbal products. We do not endorse the websites linked to in the resources and have not extensively reviewed all the information on external pages for accuracy. Everyone reacts differently to herbs and we do not attempt to be completely inclusive in the information and contraindications for each herb.