Mountain arnica has long been used in traditional medicine in Europe. Even the German writer I. Goethe took a flower infusion in order to improve memory and increase the tone of the whole organism. This material discusses the beneficial properties of the plant, as well as methods for its use.

Description and distribution

Mountain arnica belongs to perennial herbaceous plants that have a short rhizome. The height of the bushes reaches 15–75 cm. In the first year after planting, a rosette consisting of 6–8 leaves is formed on the bushes. In the 2nd year, stems and flower baskets appear.

Did you know? A doctor from Ancient Greece called this plant "ptarmica", which translates as "sneezing flower."

The variety of mountain arnica is amazing. In total, there are more than 200 different varieties. Most of them have one weakly branched stem. Leaves of the opposite structure are lanceolate and have an obovate shape. The upper part is pubescent, and the lower part is naked. In the upper stem part, flower baskets are formed, the diameter of which is 5–6 cm. The flowers are characterized by a yellow or orange hue.

The fruits look beautiful and have a narrower shape. On the upper part there is a small crest. Flowering occurs in late June or early July. Fruits form in mid-August. Most often, mountain arnica is found in the Carpathian highland meadows. Typically, the culture prefers to grow on the forest edges and clearings. It can also be found on rocky slopes.

Chemical composition

Mountain arnica inflorescences contain about 4% arnitsin. This substance belongs to dyes and consists of compounds such as arnidiol and faradiol.

Did you know? Arnica mountain is popularly called "lamb grass". This is due to the fact that after flowering, baskets resemble sheep’s wool in appearance.

A substance called arnifolin is released from the leaf plate and flower baskets. It is an ester consisting of tiglinic acid, choline, carotenoids, betaine and cynarin. The chemical composition is rich in blue-green essential oil. Flowers contain lutein - a red substance.

The composition of the plant is rich in organic acids:

• apple
• dairy;
• ascorbic.

The chemical composition is rich in fructose and sucrose. In addition, inulin and proteins are contained. And inflorescences are rich in cynarin, alkaloids and choline.

Healing properties

Preparations that contain mountain arnica extract have a hemostatic effect.

• They are capable of:
• accelerate the process of blood coagulation;
• reduce blood loss.

Important! The action of preparations containing arnica increases if anesthesia is administered to a person or animal.

Thanks to flavonoids and cynarin, the flower has a choleretic property. These substances are able to remove toxins from the body. And the action of faradiol is aimed at resolving the bruising.

Indications for use

It is recommended to use tincture of mountain arnica if there are gynecological indications. Thanks to the drug, you can stop bleeding after childbirth or abortion. An extract of flowers is prescribed to patients with uterine fibroids. The use of preparations containing plant extract eliminates problems with the menstrual cycle. Arnica is able to reduce pressure, which is important for hypertension.

• It is necessary to take the tincture of the flower inside with the following problems:
• concussion bruising;
• retinal hemorrhage;
• joint and muscle pain;
• acute infections, which are accompanied by severe bleeding (rheumatism, typhus, etc.);
• vasculitis;
• arthritis;
• cerebral hemorrhage;
• cholecystitis.

A tincture of mountain arnica is prescribed for problems with teeth (stomatitis, periodontal disease, neuralgia and toothache). You can prepare it this way: pour 1 liter of flowers with 250 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture and rinse your mouth with it every day, morning and evening. The duration of treatment is no more than 3 weeks, after which you need to take a break for 14 days.

Contraindications

The main contraindication is that you cannot use mountain arnica for pregnant women, otherwise irreparable harm to the child will be caused (its development will slow down). You can also not use the plant for medicinal purposes to lactating women and people who have an allergy to it. If contraindications are ignored, then this will cause severe harm to the human body.

• This can manifest itself with the following symptoms:
• dyspnea;
• vomiting
• diarrhea;
• severe pain in the stomach;
• fever;
• disruption of the heart.

It is not recommended to take tincture or decoction of arnica for children under the age of 3 years. This is due to the strong toxicity of the oil of this flower. In limited quantities, and only after the appointment of a doctor, you can take arnica to people suffering from increased blood coagulation.

If you notice these symptoms, then you need to urgently stop taking and visit a doctor to get recommendations for their elimination.

Application in official and traditional medicine

The composition of flower baskets and the root system of arnica contains a huge amount of nutrients. They can help in the treatment of various diseases, including chronic ones. If you take a tincture of arnica flowers in small doses, then a tonic on the central nervous system appears. Thanks to this, sleep is normalized, anxiety and a feeling of apathy are eliminated.

Home use

Most often at home they prepare a tincture for alcohol. To create it, finely chop 100 g of arnica flowers and fill them with 1000 ml of alcohol (70% strength). Cover the container and place in a dark, dry place. After 2 weeks, strain and consume 45 drops, washed down with water or milk. Apply tincture twice a day, for 2 weeks. It helps remove toxins from the blood and boost immunity. This tincture can also be used externally if you have bruises or abrasions.

For diseases of the oral cavity, in particular, periodontal disease, use tincture of flowers of arnica, eucalyptus and calendula, mixed in equal proportions. The prepared mixture lubricates the affected areas of the gums.

Plant in cosmetology

Mountain arnica is actively used in cosmetology and is part of many skin care products. The plant contains arnitsin, which protects the skin from the negative effects of the environment. The vitamins and antioxidants contained in the flowers have anti-aging and wound healing properties.

Important! Do not use the broth in its pure form, as it is very toxic. Before use, dilute it with clean water, in a ratio of 1: 2.

A decoction of inflorescences is used to treat problem skin. Thanks to it, you can get rid of acne and blackheads. You can make a decoction at home. To do this, mix 2 tbsp. l dry mountain arnica and 100 ml of pure water (temperature +70 ... + 80 ° С).

In some beauty salons, arnica oil used for massage is popular. It not only softens the skin, it also helps against injuries and bruises. Most brands add arnica tincture to decorative cosmetics. It not only tones the skin, but also helps fight inflammation.

Growing Features

Mountain arnica should be grown on fertile and moist soils with a neutral acid content.

Cultivation in the central regions of the country is fraught with certain difficulties:

1. The culture has low frost resistance.
2. It is roaring under the snow cover.

Shrubs need to be planted in sunny areas, because the culture does not tolerate shade.

The soil at the landing site must first be dug up and humus added (30 kg per 1 m²). In the process, remove the grass along with the roots so that they do not slow down the development of the roots. The soil should be very moist. The lack of water in the ground contributes to a decrease in yield and flowering time, and this also leads to a decrease in the number of flowers.

Did you know? Arnica flowers are used as a spice in the distillery industry, and in some countries of Western Europe the leaves of this plant are used instead of tobacco.

Planting material (seeds) must first be treated with the growth stimulator "Epin" (50 g per 5 l of water). After that, the seeds are placed in a solution of manganese (1 hour in 5 liters of water), in order to disinfect. Planting seeds is recommended in early June. Sown them in small holes, 1 cm deep, and carefully watered with clean water.

After 3 months, young seedlings are dug up and transplanted to a permanent place in the open ground. Planting pit should be 20 × 30 cm in size. At the same time, keep a distance of 30 cm between the bushes. 5 liters of water are poured into the wells. When it is absorbed, they place a seedling inside, sprinkle it with garden soil and again water each bush with 5 liters of water.

Caring for mountain arnica is uncomplicated. It is enough to water the bushes every 2 days with clean water (50 l per 1 m²) and loosen the topsoil. Do not forget to remove weeds so as not to provoke the development of pests.

Mountain arnica is an unusual plant that has an extensive scope of use. With its help, you can get rid of many diseases .. The main thing: use the extract from this flower correctly so as not to harm your body.