Key Constituents

Sesquiterpene lactones (helenalin, dihydrohelenalin)^[4]

The main anti-inflammatory principles; also responsible for the plant's toxicity and contact-allergy potential.

Sesquiterpene lactonesSesquiterpenes

Flavonoids^[4]

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.

Flavonoids

Essential oil, phenolic acids and coumarins^[4]

Aromatic and supporting constituents of the flower.

Phenolic acidsEssential (volatile) oilCoumarins

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (trace)^[4]

Present in small amounts; relevant to the caution against internal use.

Alkaloids

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)^{[4, 5, 14]}

Topical analgesic for muscle soreness and pain

Anti-inflammatory^{[2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14]}

Topical anti-inflammatory for bruising, swelling and sprains

Antimicrobial^{[4, 11]}

Antimicrobial and antioxidant (in vitro)

Antioxidant^{[4, 11, 13]}

Antimicrobial and antioxidant (in vitro)

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[4, 9, 10]}

Antiecchymotic / vulnerary (helps disperse bruises)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Back pain^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →

Bruising^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

Antiecchymotic / vulnerary (helps disperse bruises); Topical anti-inflammatory for bruising, swelling and sprains

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →

Headache^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Muscle soreness^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

Topical analgesic for muscle soreness and pain

more plants for muscle soreness →detailed sources →

Pain (general)^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

Topical analgesic for muscle soreness and pain

more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Swelling / fluid retention^{[4, 14]}Good · 7/10

Topical anti-inflammatory for bruising, swelling and sprains

more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →

Wounds^[4]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[4, 15]}Info

EXTERNAL USE ONLY on unbroken skin. Arnica is toxic if swallowed and can cause stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat and, in serious cases, cardiac arrest; the only safe oral form is the highly diluted homeopathic preparation.

Safety note^[15]Caution

Do not apply to broken or damaged skin, open wounds, eyes or mucous membranes.

Safety note^[4]Info

As a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) it can cause allergic contact dermatitis; prolonged topical use can also irritate the skin.

Safety note^{[14, 15]}Caution

Avoid medicinal use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

References

REF-0725, REF-0726, REF-0727, REF-0398, REF-2098, REF-2099, REF-2100, REF-2101, REF-2102, REF-2103, REF-2104, REF-2105, REF-2106

References & Sources

Toma, C.C., Marrelli, M., Puticiu, M., Conforti, F. and Statti, G (2024) 'Effects of Arnica montana Phytotherapeutic and Homeopathic Formulations on Traumatic Injuries and Inflammatory Conditions: A Systematic Review', Plants (Basel), 13(21), pp. 3112. doi:10.3390/plants13213112 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213112
Schmidt, T.J (2023) 'Arnica montana L.: Doesn't Origin Matter?', Plants (Basel), 12(20), pp. 3532. doi:10.3390/plants12203532 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203532
Dragos, D., Gilca, M., Gaman, L., Vlad, A., Iosif, L. et al (2017) 'Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders', Nutrients, 9(1), pp. 70. doi:10.3390/nu9010070 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9010070
Kriplani, P., Guarve, K. and Baghael, U.S (2017) 'Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, pp. 12724. doi:10.1111/jphp.12724 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1111/jphp.12724
Iannitti, T., Morales-Medina, J.C., Bellavite, P., Rottigni, V. and Palmieri, B (2016) 'Effectiveness and safety of Arnica montana in post-surgical setting, pain and inflammation', American Journal of Therapeutics, 23(1), pp. e184-e197. doi:10.1097/MJT.0000000000000036 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1097/MJT.0000000000000036
Verre, J., Boisson, M., Paumier, A., Tribolo, S. and Boujedaini, N (2023) 'Anti-inflammatory effects of Arnica montana (mother tincture and homeopathic dilutions) in various cell models', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 318(Pt B), pp. 117064. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.117064 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.117064
Rohrl, J., Pique-Borras, M., Jaklin, M., Werner, M., Werz, O., Josef, H., Holz, H., Ammendola, A. and Kunstle, G (2023) 'Anti-inflammatory activities of Arnica montana planta tota versus flower extracts: analytical, in vitro and in vivo mouse paw oedema model studies', Plants, 12(6), pp. 1348. doi:10.3390/plants12061348 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061348
da Silva Prade, J., Balsamo, E.C., Machado, F.R., Poetini, M.R., Bortolotto, V.C., Araujo, S.M., Londero, L., Boeira, S.P., Sehn, C.P., de Gomes, M.G., Prigol, M. and Cattelan Souza, L (2020) 'Anti-inflammatory effect of Arnica montana in a UVB radiation-induced skin-burn model in mice', Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 39(2), pp. 126-133. doi:10.1080/15569527.2020.1743998 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/15569527.2020.1743998
Zacarias, C.A., de Mendonca Florenziano, R.F., de Andrade, T.A.M., de Aro, A.A., do Amaral, M.E.C., Dos Santos, G.M.T. and Esquisatto, M.A.M (2023) 'Arnica montana L. associated with microcurrent accelerates the dermis reorganisation of skin lesions', International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 104(2), pp. 81-95. doi:10.1111/iep.12469 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/iep.12469
Chaiet, S.R. and Marcus, B.C (2016) 'Perioperative Arnica montana for reduction of ecchymosis in rhinoplasty surgery', Annals of Plastic Surgery, 76(5), pp. 477-482. doi:10.1097/SAP.0000000000000312 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000000312
Zitek, T., Postruznik, V., Knez, Z., Golle, A., Daris, B. and Knez Marevci, M (2022) 'Arnica montana L. supercritical extraction optimization for antibiotic and anticancer activity', Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 10, pp. 897185. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.897185 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.897185
Sutovska, M., Capek, P., Kocmalova, M., Pawlaczyk, I., Zaczynska, E., Czarny, A., Uhliarikova, I., Gancarz, R. and Franova, S (2014) 'Characterization and pharmacodynamic properties of Arnica montana complex', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 69, pp. 214-221. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.05.051 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.05.051
Merfort, I. and Wendisch, D (1987) 'Flavonoid glycosides from Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis', Planta Medica, 53(5), pp. 434-437. doi:10.1055/s-2006-962766 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-962766
Gaertner, K., Baumgartner, S. and Walach, H (2021) 'Is Homeopathic Arnica Effective for Postoperative Recovery? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled and Active Comparator Trials', Frontiers in Surgery. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2021.680930 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2021.680930
National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control) (n.d.) 'Caution when using Arnica products'. Available at: https://www.poison.org/articles/caution-when-using-arnica-products-193 Traditional / reference
https://www.poison.org/articles/caution-when-using-arnica-products-193

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