-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Arnica spp. (Leopard's Bane)
botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Arnica montana
synonyms: leopard's bane, wolfsbane, common arnica, mountain arnica, mountain tobacco, arnika
part(s) used: flowers, whole plant
qualities: sweet, bitter, pungent, neutral
affinities: muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons
actions: nervine, local stimulant, antibacterial, diaphoretic, emollient, diuretic, expectorant and vulnerary
» externally: "deobstructant" (Anderson Geller), anti-inflammatory, vulnerary,
analgesic
» internally: nervous and cardiovascular stimulant
dosage:
» external use is safest; except in homeopathic form
» internal: no more than 10 - 20 drops per day
» average dose is 3 - 5 drops
appearance:
» red and blue bruising (Wood)
pulse:
» choppy, medium strength (Wood)
therapy:
» external: strain/sprain/bruise, soft tissue injury, hematoma, arthritis,
overworked muscles
» internal: paraplegia and hemiplegia to increase neuromuscular tone
» Arnica extract increases the resistance to bacterial infection by stimulating phagocytosis of the bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d
toxicity: 2
» use with caution during pregnancy (Ellingwood, p. 147)
» Full strength tincture should not be used topically; avoid applying on or near broken skin; use with caution where patient has sensitive skin (Felter, p. 206)
» Externally it may cause erysipelas and blistering, occasionally followed by ulceration and in severe cases, gangrene. Application to open wounds may result in purulent and phlegmatic formations, which ultimately should completely heal (von Oettingen, p. 239).
» prolonged use externally can lead to hypersensitivity(allergic dermatitis) from the sesquiterpene lactones (helenalin methacrylate) (Brinker)
» Internally it acts as an gastrointestinal irritant, causing headaches, trembling, diaphoresis, tachycardia (Woodward, p. 178); large doses cause a warming sensation in the throat, abdominal pain, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, spasmodic contractions of the limbs, severe headache. Potential for inflammation of the throat, somnolence and later coma. During the late stages the skin becomes cool and dry, pulse light and rapid, and there may be miosis and oliguria; respirations become irregular, sometimes exhibiting Cheyne-Stokes or Biot’s breathing (Felter and Lloyd, p. 280; Ellingwood, p. 147; von Oettingen, p. 238-239)
» essential oil is skin irritant, sensitizer for photodermatitis; internally toxic effects on the heart, liver and kidneys from sesquiterpene lactones may cause gastroenteritis, changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, muscular weakness, collapse and death (Duke, p. 64)
» avoid during pregnancy due to uterine stimulant action
constituents: sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, volatile oil, mucilage, resins, polysaccharides, bitters (arnicin), tannins, carotenes
» the flower of Arnica contains from 0.3 - 1.0% of a viscous volatile oil which, in turn, is made up of approximately 50% fatty acids with the most prominent being palmitic, linoleic, myristic and linolenic acids
» the aromatic constituents are terpenes, thymol, thymol methyl ether and derivatives
» Arnica also contains a resin, a bitter principle (arnicin), helenalin, dihydrohelenalin, tannin, a steroid (arnisterin, arnidiol), flavones, choline, betaine, inulin, loliolide, luteine, phytosterol, trimethylamine, xanthophyll and carotenoids.
• There are many species that grow throughout North America and Europe. They all have the same effect. Arnica mallis is the most common species found in the Cascade mountain range. They grow at high altitudes from timberline to about 9,000 feet.
• Homeopathic arnica is used for trauma and is wholly non-toxic.

footnotes

Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.

Brinker F. 1995. Botanical Medicine Research Summaries. (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, vol.11), Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Leung, AY. Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in food, drugs, and cosmetics. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc., 1980. p.34.


von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

Wood, Matthew. 1992. The Admirable Secrets of Herbs, Roots and Barks: Western Herbal Medicine, A Materia Medica. Unpublished manuscript.

Woodward, L. 1985. Poisonous Plants: A Color Field Guide. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc.

Youngken, HW. Textbook of Pharmacognosy. Toronto: Blakiston, 1950. p.879.