Arnica Montana is one of the most important herbs in homeopathic medicine and can be found in the mountains of the Northern United States, Canada, Siberia and Europe. The medicinal parts of the plant include the rhizome and the flower.

Arnica is a pain reliever, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Its extracts have been used in homeopathic and herbal forms to help minimize the effects of trauma to tissue and to aid the healing process. In Europe, arnica has been used for hundreds of years, to shorten recovery time after a physical trauma and to reduce bruising and swelling. It has remained a popular choice among Native Americans as a major healing plant as well.

Arnica is generally used externally as a salve or tincture. In 3x dilution, it is good for motion sickness and 10x dilution is used for seizure disorders.

Arnica has been beneficial in treating the following conditions effectively:

Fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome and other injuries - By preventing the cells involved in the healing process (platelet) from gathering at the site of an injury, arnica helps prevent bruising and swelling after traumatic injuries to the skin. By reversing the effects of pain causing prostaglandins (fatty acids that are involved in the contraction of smooth muscle and control inflammation), arnica stops pain and swelling in tired and painful muscles. Within arnica are compounds including helanalin, dihydrohelanalin and Sesquiterpene lactones; all of which alleviate pain, fight bacteria and reduce inflammation. It is useful for rheumatic and joint pain.

In 1990, double blind studies on marathon runners in the Oslo marathon concluded that the pain and stiffness that occurs after the event could be reduced by applying arnica to the skin prior to the event. Additionally, recent reports indicate that arnica may be an effective treatment for reducing postoperative swelling.

Arnica is used in cream form but it should never be applied to broken skin or an open wound or taken internally. Eating the roots or flowers in large quantities could be poisonous.

Do not use arnica for more than 2 weeks at a time, and discontinue use immediately should a rash develop. Pregnant women should not use arnica in any form as there are compounds within it that act in the same manner as oxytocin (Picotin); a drug used to induce labor.