Arnica mother tincture is extracted from the Arnica plant, known for its antirheumatic, anti-echimatous and antitraumatic action. Useful for relieving bruises and fractures, it is also used for states of shock and severe scares. Let’s find out more.
Facts of arnica mother tincture
Arnica montana is a plant of the Asteraceae or Composite family and is the traumatic homeopathic remedy par excellence. It corresponds, in fact, to the effects due to recent and past traumas, both physical (edema, bruising, sprains, bruises and dislocations, for example) and psychological. The corresponding mother tincture is prepared with dried flowers.
It is generally used for:
- physical or psychological traumas, both recent and past;
- bruising and hematomas
- fractures, bruises and sprains,
- Inflammation
- it can also cure muscle tears and dislocations.
It is also used for the effects of sudden fears, anger, states of shock, scares; to relieve disorders of the cardiovascular system, heart disorders, hypertension, dizziness, headaches.
Also useful in case of circulatory difficulties, heavy legs, venous stasis, capillary fragility, nosebleeds and hemorrhoids; skin problems, bruising, boils, acne; rheumatism and inflammation of the pelvic and urogenital region;
Mother tincture of arnica is also used for eye problems, bruising of the conjunctiva and eyelids; infectious diseases and fever, scarlet fever, pneumonia, flu; problems with the digestive system, nausea and vomiting, foul-smelling flatulence of sulfurous odor, bad breath, car and seasickness; problems with the respiratory system, aphonia, cough.
Description of the plant
It is a perennial herb, whose flowers are of a beautiful orange-yellow color, while the fruits are brown and shaggy. It blooms in summer, around June, July.
It is commonly called “sneezing” for the ability it has to cause sneezing. From its leaves is obtained the so-called “mountain tobacco”, used by the mountain populations for the pipe and as snuff.
It is poisonous if ingested; the principle it contains, arnicin, is bitter and has an action similar to camphor. Dried flowers and rhizomes contain two respective essential oils.
The plant has medicinal properties and is used as a remedy in phytotherapy and homeopathy. The flowers that are harvested during the flowering period are used, choosing the newly opened ones.
How to prepare Arnica mother tincture
Arnica tincture is an alcoholic extract of dried flowers; in fact, it is obtained by maceration in water and alcohol.
Utilization
The tincture is prepared with dried flowers and should not be used for internal use, except under strict homeopathic control, as it is potentially toxic; it should not even be used pure, but diluted 1:5 with water or water containing glycerin.
It contains numerous active ingredients: sesquiterpenes, also responsible for allergic reactions. In addition, there are essential oils composed of fatty acids, hydrocarbons, thymol, as well as flavonoids, cinnamon acid, caffeinic acid, coumarins, chlorogenic acid and cynarin.
Arnica oleolite is used in natural cosmetics for the preparation of gels and creams for heavy and swollen legs, and for the treatment of pale skin, when pallor is due to circulatory problems.
The external application of the tincture must take place only on intact skin. The toxic properties of some substances may worsen open wounds; during the applications it should also be avoided contact with eyes, mouth and genital organs, it is not recommended to give it to children.
For the same reasons, oral intake is also not recommended which, at appropriate dosages, is instead a common therapeutic practice in the homeopathic field, to be carried out under strict control and depending on the various cases. Its use is contraindicated in pregnancy.
