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I use many herbs daily for their medicinal, culinary and therapeutic properties. One herb that I don’t use daily but always keep on hand is Arnica (or scientifically, Arnica Montana).
Though this is not an herb that can be taken internally, it has definitely earned its place in our house. It is well known for its ability to help externallywith bruises, sprains, strains, etc. and can remove shock and speed healing. It can be put on areas of trauma after falls, accidents, etc.
Arnica is native to Europe and has been used for centuries. Many athletes use some form of it to recover from muscle strain and speed recovery after a work-out.
Though it should never be taken internally, some homeopathic remedies are available that are generally considered safe. It should also not be applied to broken or burned skin.
From Mountain Rose Herbs:
How to Use:
It can be used in various ways depending on the need:
- On the skin as an infusion to spray on for aches and sprains (1 teaspoon dried herbs in 1/2 cup water)
- A tincture (1 ounce dried flower preserved in 8 ounces/1 cup of food grade alcohol)
- An infused oil (1 ounce dried flowers preserved in 4 ounces/.5 cup oil) This post explains how to make an infused oil.
- Arnica oils and creams are used topically to treat sprains, bruises, and muscle pain. Diluted tinctures of arnica are used in foot baths (1 teaspoon of tincture to a pan of warm water) to soothe sore feet.
- Homeopathic arnica is traditionally used to treat seasickness. Research published in June 2005 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that homeopathic arnica can reduce post-partum bleeding.
Important Notes:
Arnica is never to be used internally and it is important not to ingest any form of arnica except homeopathics. It is also not recommended to apply to broken or cut skin and some people may notice skin irritation from the use of arnica topically. Not recommended (even topically) while pregnant or nursing. (except in homeopathic form)
Arnica Salve Recipe
Arnica can be used in tinctures, salves, vinegar tinctures, decoctions, etc. Here is a recipe for a salve I always keep in the house:
- 3/4 cup oil infused with arnica (see this post for details on how to infuse oils) You can also buy the oil pre-made oil to save time.
- 1.5 oz Beeswax
- A few drops of Wintergreen Essential Oil (also not for use during pregnancy- consult with a certified aromatherapist to make sure you are using this or any essential oils safely)
Directions: Warm oil in double boiler. Add beeswax and stir until melted. Add Wintergreen Oil in desired amount (warning-wintergreen is very strong!). Pour into desired storage container (we use small tins or little jam jars). Let cool.
Can be used on bruises, sprains, strains, head bumps, etc.
Other Natural Remedies:
Check out my full index of natural remedies by clicking here.
If you’re just getting started with natural remedies, I’d also recommend some of these basic recipes:
- How to make a glycerite tincture
- Lavender and Honey burn salve
- Herbal Electuaries
- DIY Herbal Liniment Recipe
- Fire Cider Cold and Flu Buster
- How to make an herbal poultice with herbs
- Herbal Hand Sanitizer Recipe
- Natural remedies for allergies
- Homemade cough syrup
- Make your own natural remedies kit for your home
- Healing Salve Recipe
- Make your own vapor rub
Ever used Arnica? How did it work for you? Share below!
Healthy Options for Pregnancy & Prenatal Care
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Hello! I was wondering if you could use Arnica oil instead of infusing oil yourself?
Thanks!
Yep
I use Arnica for my hair…. its great for making your hair grow healthy n fast…. I boil arnica and rosemary, cool it, strain it then use the liquid in my hair after I shower while its still damp… It works!!
Is this poured on, sprayed on, left in or rinsed out?
Ok ok so how much of each do you use? In one cup portion? Does it gradually lighten hair colour?
I’m a roller derby girl where bumps and bruises are the norm. Arnica gel is amazing at healing them up quickly. I also took it homeopathically when I got my new piercing to aid in healing. Such wonderful stuff!
We use Arnica homeopathy (internally) and gel (externally) to avoid bruises, also for leg pains (growth pain) which happened to my son at night, very soothing. Finally Arnica homeopathy combined with Cinchona homeopathy pre and post surgery, my recovery was amazing.
We have been using arnica for the past 30 years. We use it in alcohol and also in olive oil. We add Rue and St. John’s Wort. Just be careful with these other two herbs. Rue can be a skin irritant and S.t John’s Wort interacts with Psychotropic Medications.
I developed arthritis in my knees after a car accident and have trouble sleeping because of the pain. I just wake up and apply the arnicated olive oil and within a 5 to 10 minutes I’m back to sleep for another 4 hours or more. Yes, it’s greasy. You can purchase an expensive small bottle of THE Arnica Rub cream that is absolutely fabulous! It does have additional herbs such as comfrey, rue, S.t John’s Wort.
For sprains we don’t use ice, we make a hot tea (about 4 cups of water & 2 tb herb) and once it cools down a bit we dip a wash cloth in the hot tea and then apply to washcloth to the sprained area. The washcloth should be hot but NOT burning. Remove it once it is no longer really warm and wring out the washcloth and re-dip in the hot tea. The area should be treated for about 30 to 60 minutes so Repeat as necessary. Warn the patient that just because the pain, bruising and swelling is gone or severely reduced, the affected area still needs to be treated gently, as muscles or ligaments could be torn and they need to heal. —Okay, my IDIOT ex thought the just because there was no more pain that he could go off the do what he wanted—moron ended up injuring himself further. So, sometimes pain is there to warn you that something is wrong.
We use the homeopathic arnica all the time in both tablets (internally)and in a gel (externally). I learned it from my mother who has been using it for about 25 years. It is amazing what it does. If the gel is put on right after an injury, bruises usually go straight to yellow rather that black. Life saver with little kids.
I use the homeopathic version and love it, though I’d love this for minor bruises…esp since my 5yo thinks every bruise needs med and band aid which we can’t afford.
Hmmm How much does this usually cost you?
I was introduced to the homeopathic version of arnica in Germany. I got to know a few people who gave it to their kids. I decided to try. It worked wonders for my toddler when he got hurt. Also, I just had my 3rd child via water birth in July, I took arnica for about 5 days afterwards. It helped my bleeding, no heavy bleeding after a week! Also I swear it helped with those breastfeeding contractions because they were much better than the last time!!
My knowledge of Arnica also originates in Germany. I grew up during and after WWII there, and my grandmother used “Arnika Tinktur” for our scrapes and bruises. We never had an infected scrape, although I’m reading here that you should not put it on broken skin. (It feels like putting iodine on, which I don’t use). She grew up in the Harz Mts. – in the late 1800s – where everybody knew about arnica and other herbs and used them. One thing she was adamant about was “Don’t ever swallow it.” So I’m surprised about the widespread use of arnica tablets.
For broken skin I use plantain.
A. montana is fantastic for bruises.
That’s funny. I make herbal tinctures at home, loads of different ones and for all sorts of reason. In fact, I have my own apothecary for my family and that is all we use, herbal meds. I take Arnica flowers and infuse them in 80-100 proof non GMO Vodka and we use the arnica tincture in teas to drink ALL THE TIME. No one seems to have any affect negatively, in fact, it is one of the best pain killers we use, right next to boneset herb. I was actually just now shocked to find numerous articles saying do not take internally but none state any reason except it is toxic? Well, we have had no issues. It is the only internal pain killer that touches the pain associated with a pinched nerve in my lower back.
That is strange, though what I remember was along the lines of being cautious in how much to use internally. It it “stings like iodine’ it’s a pretty potent antibiotic.
Lots of things are toxic, when the warning isn’t definitive, they tend to err conservatively.
You don’t give dosage information that you are using, but if you are using a tincture .as an additive in a tea, you’re probably safely below your LD. (Obviously so, as you live.)
Were you to drink a cup of extracted tincture, things might not go so well.
Toxic/medicinal is a fine line sometimes. Legally you never go wrong by saying “don’t use this–it may kill you.”
I LOVE my arnica salve, made very similarly to yours: Arnica in a good quality olive oil, although I infused it in the oil at low heat for about 6 hours. Then beeswax and 400 iu of Vitamin E, put in little jars. I pulled the MCL on my left knee about a month ago, and had terrible pain (ouch!!). I used the arnica balm every 4-6 hours and was pain free in 24 hours, and no problems since, altho I had a little twinge in same area a week ago and used more arnica balm…Twinge gone!!! Incredible for bruising also!!! I think I added a little eucalyptus essential oil to the balm also, tho not necessary.
hello! i’m new to this, but really want to make your arnica salve. i like that it has vitamin e, but am wondering, how do you know how much 400 iu = in terms of measuring? if i have vitamin e oil and 400 iu is = to 3 drops, do i merely add 3 drops to the entire batch of salve? thanks!!
Is the wintergreen necessary?
No, it is just cooling