Living organically and going back to the old ways of doing things is now very popular. After a century of building up our confidence in new technologies, we find that some traditional methods are still better and more effective. This is especially true in the field of medicine.

Herbal supplements are now a la mode! Controversies regarding the intake of pharmaceutical drugs (e.g. side effects, insufficiency of clinical testing, etc.) have led people to explore alternative medicines. And of the many healing herbs that are out there, the arnica montana (also known as leopard’s bane, or wolf’s bane) is among the favorites.

What’s it for?

Arnica was used by the Native Americans as well as the Europeans to treat wounds, muscle pains, and inflammations, similar to topical creams used by plenty of people today. It is a first aid for sprains, bruises, sore backs and other muscle pains and discomfort caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It is also helpful in healing cuts and wounds, calming down inflammations and swelling, mild phlebitis, and soothing insect bites. Arnica montana can be used as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, tincture, compress, or even a mouthwash!

Word of Caution

The arnica montana, as medicine, is usually limited to external use. Taken internally without its proper medical preparation, the herb can be poisonous to the person who has ingested it. It may only be taken as a pill or via a syringe when it is used in homeopathy (an alternative form of medicine). Take note that when it the herb is prepared for internal use, it is diluted many times over, so that there is almost no trace of it in the solution. The herb should not be ingested without the advice of a medical expert.

If swallowed, the herb’s side effects include dizziness, tremors, and the experience of irregular heartbeats or heart palpitations. Also, excessive external use of arnica montana can cause skin irritation, blisters, and peeling.