Arnica References in Literature & Movies

Tributes to Arnica in Hollywood and History

Goethe Sings Her Praises

“When life and death began their struggle within me, I sensed how the hosts of life, this flower on their standard, forced the issue, and the stagnating forces of the enemy, the deathly oppressive powers, meet their Austerlitz. Rejuvenated in my recovery I praise this herb most highly, yet in truth it is nature who praises herself, she who is truly inexhaustible, who creates this flower with its healing powers, and in doing so once more proclaims herself to be eternally procreative.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, on Arnica after it relieved his severe chest pains (due to a heart condition which eventually took his life). Goethe credited Arnica with saving his life so that he could write the second volume of his autobiography

Arnica at MGM

In the classic comedy Western McLintock, there’s a passage where, after character Devlin (played by John Wayne’s actual son Patrick Wayne) gets in a couple of fist fights, Wayne/McLintock says:

Jake, you think tincture of arnica would help?

Jake: Could be. Used to help you.

McLintock: Gentlemen, to the medicine chest

As we happen on more citings we will post them here, but please feel free to drop in any you’ve heard, seen or read about…

The Who, Why, When of Using Arnica

Anyone of any age, or in any state of wellness or sickness, strength or weakness. Among its generations of users, there is not a recorded case of bad side effects from using homeopathy’s safe doses of Arnica.

Below is a general description of Arnica, from 1-800-Homeopathy’s Single Remedy Catalogue. For more extensive descriptions, click on Materia medica listings on this website:

• First Aid - Bruising, bleeding, trauma, pain and swelling after injuries, blows, dental work, surgery,   childbirth, etc. Backache, joint & muscle pain from strain or exercise.

• Modalities - Better lying with head low. Worse touch, jarring, exertion.

General Description

This premier first aid remedy has brought many converts to homeopathy by minimizing bruising, bleeding, swelling, shock, pain and recovery time following strains, injuries, dental work, surgery, childbirth, exercise… Even without bruising or obvious signs of injury after trauma, Arnica relieves the aftershock, soreness and pain that follows.

Sprains:

Whenever backs are lifting and joints are twisting, Arnica can minimize the swelling, bruising and pain. In homeopath Asa Hershoff’s book on Musculoskeltal Healing, his perfect formula for sprains begins with Arnica to reduce swelling, bruising and trauma.

Broken bones:

Arnica given in the first stage can minimize the swelling and get you in the final cast much sooner. Once the bone is well set, low doses of Symphytum should take Arnica’s place.

Skin:

On the skin and soft tissues everywhere, Arnica can help the body reduce bruising, minimize bleeding of minor cuts, plus ease tender sore spots like boils, acne or blood blisters.

Muscles:

For aches and muscles, Arnica can bring much comfort when a strong cough has your ribcage feeling sore, or a flu has your muscles aching. A dose before and after a workout can minimize the next day’s stiffness and help the muscles heal.

Arnica is an excellent all-around remedy, but please remember to consult a licensed medical professional for serious injuries.

HPUS: Description of Arnica Montana

The HPUS is the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States

Homeopathic medicines are regulated by the FDA as drugs.  Legalization and standardization of homeopathy began in 1897. An ingredient is considered homeopathic when it meets the standards specified in the HPUS.  The HPUS is a ” a non-governmental, non-profit scientific organization composed of experts in the fields of medicine, arts, biology, botany, chemistry and pharmacy who have had appropriate training and experience and have demonstrated additional knowledge and interest in the principles of homeopathy.”

Homeopathic Parmacopoeia of the United States

The description of arnica montana in the HPUS is:

ARNICA MONTANA

Name in contemporary use: Arnica montana L

Synonyms:

Latin: Doronicum oppositifolium Lam., D. arnica Desf.

Eng: Mountain arnica, Leopard’s bane, Mountain tobacco

Fr: Arnique

Biological Classification:

Family Compositae (Composite Family)

Description:

A perennial herb, with a slender, blackish rhizome 2.5 to 5 cm. long, from which are given off numerous filiform roots. The stem, 25 to 30 cm high, is erect, pubescent, rough, striated, either simple or with one pair of opposite branches. The leaves, 4 to 8 cm. long, are few, entire, sessile, opposite, obovate; the radical ones crowded at the base, the upper smaller than the rest. The heads, 5 to 6.5 cm. wide, are large and solitary at the summit of the stem and lateral branches. The involucre is cylindrical, dull green, with purplish points and hairy. The disk flowers are yellow and numerous, with tubular corolla with five spreading teeth. The ray flowers are about fifteen in number, yellow in color. It flowers in July and August.

Range and habitat:
moist, grassy upland meadows in the hills and mountains of northern and central Europe and Siberia. It is also found sparsely in the northwestern United States.

Preparation & Classification:
Tincture of the entire plant, including the root (Class C). Alcohol content: 45% v/v

Medication:
OTC: 3X
Rx:1X
HPN:N/A

Arnica’s Humble Beginnings

As the folklore tells it, humans learned the value of arnica when mountain goats would clamber to find the Arnica plant after falling or stumbling. Thus locals began to apply it herbally for bruises, mostly in external salves or steeped in teas. Thus its German name, Fallkraut or Fall herb.

Homeopathy’s founder, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, conducted provings of Arnica initially on ten fellow doctors. Provings consisted of  controlled tests in which doctors consumed large quantities of the original plant while other doctors took meticulous notes on every possible symptom that was experienced. A homeopathically prepared dose was then given to antidote the original substance.

They found that if a very large quantity of the raw plant is eaten, Arnica actually disorganizes tissues and encourages stagnation. The principle of homeopathy, like cures like, means that taking a very diluted amount of the original substance will help cure the symptoms that a large, natural dose would induce. Therefore, it is reasonable to accept that the remedy has the answers to the needs of the body to heal injuries efficiently,  minimizing bruising and swelling.

Since then, many more provings have confirmed and expanded the uses of homeopathic arnica.

Arnica! About this Site.

Arnica.com is intended to be a resource for anyone- whether you are active, clumsy, prone to bruising, or want a safe, natural remedy without fear of side effects - arnica is a great option.

Homeopathic Arnica Montana is an amazing and renown remedy for all sorts of injuries and trauma. A premier first aid remedy to have around the house, arnica is safe for people of all ages to use. Please explore, post and share!

Bumps and Bruises

Look Mom, no bruises! Tablets or ointment, arnica prevents unnecessary bruising and promotes healing, even in old injuries.

Parents rest easier with arnica around to treat children’s bumps and bruises. Any injury from minor falls can be treated immediately with arnica to relieve pain, swelling and bruising.

Applied directly on the skin, arnica can heal body bruises effectively and ease tender sore spots all over.

Arnica and Sports? Absolutely.

Doctors Agree it’s a perfect match!

Sports Medicine: Doctors Extol Arnica’s and Homeopathy’s Virtues

On homeopathy in general for sports, A. Dwight Smith, MD, claims it can “Cut healing time by 50-85%.”
In his article “Homeopathy and Sports Medicine,”  he also states: “With a minimum amount of homeopathic instruction, most trainers, coaches, and athletes themselves, can successfully treat and cure many of the most common athletic injuries. Their willingness to do so will have two results: quicker and more comfortable healing for the athlete; and thousands of dollars saved for the athletic club.” (American Homeopathy: vol.1, No. 6, June 1984)

In his book, Homeopathic Treatment of Sports Injuries, Dr. Lyle Morgan states: “Arnica should be considered first in all cases of physical injury.”

He lists Arnica’s benefits throughout the book, including: “Arnica works quickly to repair damaged blood vessels, to reduce swelling at the site of the injury, and to eliminate pain….

In his book, Musculoskeletal Healing, homeopath Asa Hershoff states:
“Arnica is the most renowned trauma remedy, and is without equal as the primary remedy for injury of any kind whatsoever.”…

For past injuries, he states:
“Homeopathy is the first choice when a person has ‘never been well’ since a specific traumatic incidence. Arnica and Hypericum are the main remedies, prescribed in high potency for several doses, for erasing the imprints of trauma within the nervous system and tissues.”

The list could go on and on, but suffice it to say, that those who have worked with Arnica in sports medicine concur that it should be in the gym bag of every athlete, ‘weekend warrior’, coach and trainer.