Arnica

Protected. Complex colors - Asteraceae( Compositae).Popular names: Ivanov color, mountain sheepskin, mutton color. Used parts: Inflorescences-baskets. Pharmacy: Arnica flowers - Arnicae flos( formerly: Flores Amicae).

Botanical Description

Mountain arnica is a very beautiful plant;early spring, when her bright yellow flowers blossom, she attracts the attention of any traveler and nature lover. Inflorescences-baskets with flaming tongues-rays are never quite the right shape, which gives them such an unusual appearance. It is a perennial plant with a rhizome horizontally flowing in the soil. A rigid grassy stem, which can reach 50 cm in height, grows from the middle of a rosette of leaves that fits snugly to the ground. The stem is pubescent and carries 1-2 pairs of small leaves and one apical inflorescence, under which, in the axils of the upper leaves, there is often one more immature inflorescence. The yellow inflorescences are surrounded by a two-row wrapper with a short, fleecy pubescence. Marginal flowers have 3 prongs. This is an important distinguishing feature in the analysis.chemist's goods. Meadow arnica is of North American origin. Recently, it has been cultivated precisely because the mountain arnica can not be profitable to cultivate economically, and it is no longer possible to supply natural habitats from environmental considerations. The meadow arnica carries cross-shaped pairs of opposite lanceolate leaves on upright pubescent stalks. From the upper pair of leaves leaves several lateral shoots with apical inflorescences - baskets - a little more small than the mountain arnica. Both species bloom from June to July( August).Mountain arnica occurs on infertile or infertile mountain meadows or in grass communities of so-called mountain heaths. Sometimes it grows on the plains. There she prefers sandy, peaty-humus meadow soils. Meadow arnica grows in America on acid boggy meadows where it is collected for medicinal purposes.

Collecting and billets of

Inflorescences are collected when they are completely dissolved;dried under gentle conditions to preserve the active substances - at a temperature of no higher than 50 ° C.The same applies to meadow arnica. The collected material is stored without access to moisture in a cool place.

Active ingredients

Essential oil with disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect;flavonoids, which, apparently, are responsible for the action on the heart and blood circulation;choline, lowering blood pressure, and a large number of other active substances. Recently, procyanidins have been found in the inflorescences of arnica. These active substances are also found in the flowers of hawthorn and are regarded as significant factors that determine the favorable effect of hawthorn flowers on the heart. We can not ignore the bitterness that was recently explored. Discovered and identified numerous sesk-viturpene lactones( in particular, gelenalins), it is possible that they play a decisive role in the healing effect of arnica. The irritating effect of gelenalins on the skin and mucous membranes has already been proven, as well as their effect on the heart. In order to have a complete idea of ​​the active substances of arnica, a lot more research is needed. At the present time one can only say that countless substances of arnica participate in the curative action of the widest spectrum. Despite the fact that the chemical composition of meadow arnica is not identical to the composition of arnica, the differences in the curative effect of both plants are not very significant.

The curative effect and application of

Arnica is most often used externally.

When stretching and tearing muscles and tendons, with dislocations the best remedy is immediately apply compresses with tincture of arnica( 1 tablespoon of which is bred in 1/2 l of water) or with its water extract( of course, at the same time it is necessary to observe complete immobility of body parts).With hemorrhages, the compress with arnica stimulates resorption and, due to this, the healing process. The pains are relieved extremely quickly. Excellent compresses with arnica and with contaminated, poorly healing wounds. In general, compresses with arnica should be preferred over alcohol or vinegar compresses, although sometimes allergic skin reactions may occur.

Inflammation in the mouth and throat rinsing and rinsing arnica are indispensable. The fact is that it increases blood circulation and thus increases the resistance of the mucous membranes. For this purpose, give 1/2 teaspoon of tincture of arnica in 1 glass of lukewarm water or rinse the throat with tea from arnica.- Arnica tea: 1-2 teaspoons dried arnica inflorescence pour 1/4 l of boiling water and after 10 minutes filter. Rinse the throat with a fairly warm tea. For compresses it is used directly in this form or diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1.The use of arnica preparations( tea, tincture) inside is unsafe, this should not be done, although Arnica has a curative effect in heart diseases.- Tincture of arnica: dried inflorescences pour 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10.After 2 weeks, wring out. The resulting liquid is filtered after about 10 days to a clear state. Tincture of arnica, of course, you can buy in the pharmacy.

Use in homeopathy

The homeopathic remedy Arnica is prepared from dry roots, whereas the medicine for external use of Arnica extern is made from fresh flowering grass. Arnica is considered one of the most important means for healing wounds from the entire homeopathic arsenal. Especially effective is the arnica ointment for the treatment of venous diseases, hemorrhages, sprains and bruises. Arnica is also used in homeopathy against rheumatism and gout. They use it and as a means for normalization of cardiac activity and circulation, especially with senile heart failure, atherosclerosis, as well as with angina( angina pectoris).And finally, arnica is given to restore strength after severe infectious diseases. This agent is used mainly in dilutions D1-D1 2-3( up to 5) times a day for 3-5( up to 10) drops. For external use, 1 to 2 teaspoons of Arnica extern tincture are bred in 1/2 liter of water.

Application in folk medicine

Everything that has been said about the application of arnica, applies to folk medicine. Add here you can only Arnica alcohol, which is prepared independently in different ways and which are still used in certain areas for compresses and rubbing with rheumatism, gout, lumbago, muscle pains, stretch tendons and dislocations. It is used diluted( 1 teaspoon per 1/4 l of water) for rinsing and rinsing. With gastric diseases, palpitations and fits of weakness give a few drops of alcohol diluted in water.- Arnica alcohol: fresh arnica inflorescences are mixed in equal parts by weight with 30% alcohol and insisted for 14 days. After that, the mixture is drained through a dense tissue, the inflorescence is carefully squeezed, and the liquid is filtered once more.

Side effects of

With external application of arnica preparations, there may be allergic reactions: burning, itching, bubbling and other pathological phenomena on the skin. In this case, discontinue treatment and consult a doctor. From the use of arnica inside, according to the recommendation of the German National Health Service, should be completely abandoned, as her harmful effects on the stomach, intestines and heart became known, and experimental data on the positive effects of internal use of arnica drugs are not enough.