Herbs Guide

Arnica

Family Name: Asteraceae

Botanical Name(s): Arnica Montana

Popular Name(s): Leopard's Bane, Mountain Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica and Wolfsbane

Parts Used: Flowers, Rootstock

Habitat: It is native to Central Europe.

Description: The leaves form a flat rosette, from the center of which rises a flower stalk, 1 to 2 feet high, bearing orange-yellow flowers. The rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry rootlets on the under surface.

Uses: A tincture made from the plant material can be used in the treatment of heart failure and coronary artery disease. It can be used as a mouthwash and gargle when fighting inflammation of the mucus membranes. It helps to prevent bruising and swelling after traumatic skin injuries and prevents the blood platelets from gathering to the site of injury.