Homemade Arnica Recipes
In this blog post we share some homemade arnica recipes. Arnica oil is an extract of the arnica plant. Arnica oil is an all–natural oil that helps relieve bumps, bruises, aches and pains. It has been used for centuries to heal bruises and other injuries by speeding up the healing process. Arnica oil benefits include relieving pain, improving circulation and reducing inflammation. Read our blog post on arnica oil health and beauty benefits for more details. Check out our post recipes using arnica oil for two recipes incorporating this beneficial oil.
The market value of essential oils worldwide is expected to grow from around 17 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 to about 27 billion dollars by 2022. Europe accounts for the largest share of the global essential oils market, with the Asia Pacific region and North America tying for second place.
Let’s Talk About Arnica
Arnica /ˈɑːrnɪkə/ is a genus of perennial (lives for more than two years), plants in the family (Asteraceae or Compositae, species of flowering plants within the order Asterales, commonly known as aster, daisy, composite or sunflower).
Applied to the skin in the form of an oil, cream, ointment, liniment, tea or salve, arnica has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes. Arnica montana L. is a source of several active compounds (sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils) exhibiting antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiradical, antisclerotic and antioxidant activities. Before using arnica in any form, first read through all the precautions, since this ingredient can cause extreme unhealthy reactions in some people.
Let’s Talk About Safety
Caution: Should you decide to experiment with any of these arnica recipes to create your own formulations, be aware that skin contact with any arnica plant material can cause an allergic reaction. Contact with eyes or mucous membranes will also cause an allergic reaction and allow the toxic compound helenalin contained in arnica to be absorbed into your blood stream. Even inhaling the fumes created by heating the plant material are extremely potent.
Before handling and processing any of the plant material, you must first take some safety precautions and wear a face mask, goggles and gloves. After using any cookware, kitchen ware or utensils, you must thoroughly wash and sterilize them with soap and hot water to remove any residue.
Arnica Essential Oil
Arnica oil is a carrier oil that can be used as a base to dilute the more concentrated essential oils. Diluting essential oils makes them safe for topical use and for use in homemade recipes. Arnica oil is used to help “carry” the essential oils into the skin. As one of the most popular homeopathic remedies for pain management, arnica oil is one of the most important tools in any homemade essential oil first aid kit.
Arnica is available dried flower form that can be used to prepare “tea” (infusions), salves and tinctures. The essential oil of arnica is extracted from the flowers of A. montana through Through steam distillation or CO2 extraction. This highly concentrated preparation should be used with great caution because of its potency. A few drops should be diluted with a carrier oil such as sweet almond or coconut in preparations.
CO2 Extracted Arnica Oil
A relatively new preparation that is gaining traction, is an arnica aromatic extract that uses carbon dioxide as the solvent for extraction. Carbon dioxide extraction is able to extract more constituents from the plant that steam distillation, which is typical to essential oil extraction, this is due to the delicate nature of the plant matter.
This aromatic extract is technically not an essential oil, the end product is different—usually thicker, almost solid, like a resin. Precautions and use of this extract should be the same as that of the essential oil because both contain the same toxins. The CO2 essential oil has a more consistent composition than traditional extracts.
Broken skin and ingestion are contraindicated. When applying extract topically, remember to dilute the CO2 arnica oil heavily—one source suggests 0.5–1% or less—and avoid diffusion or inhalation. It should be noted that the thick nature of the extract will make dilution more difficult.
Comedogenic Rating
Arnica oil is best for all skin types but always dilute it (or buy it diluted). Arnica oil has been given a comedogenic rating of 2 when infused in olive oil, meaning it is non–comedogenic and should not cause any adverse reactions, even in sensitive or easily irritated skin.
For this reason, arnica oil is often used as a carrier oil, to dilute essential oils. Only use arnica oil in diluted form, as pure arnica is very potent. Use sweet almond or grapeseed as a carrier oil to dilute pure arnica essential oil in a 30:70 ratio if the oil is not already diluted.
Option of Either Making or Sourcing Arnica Oil
Because arnica is commonly used as an extract, some people choose to make their own infused or extracted oil. While it is possible to do this, I personally do not recommend the homemade route for this specific ingredient. Because of the unstable nature and high toxicity of the oil when prepared or used improperly, the typical home methods of extraction and infusion are ill advised.
There is no way to be sure about the quality of a homemade preparation unless you can source good quality organically grown dried arnica flowers. Fresh arnica flowers used to grow freely in the wild, but there is a scarcity of good quality material these days. Your best bet is to grow your own plants or take advantage of the arnica infused oils and tinctures already available on the market. Extracts can be readily purchased through any herbal supplier, as well as excellent carrier oils for use with other healing essential oils. Check out the brands available to you locally and only choose reputable manufacturers with high standards.
How to Use Arnica
Arnica is available in various forms, all of them useful in some way. The most basic form is the dried flowers that can be used to prepare infusions, tinctures and “tea”. You can find arnica oil in a blend of healing oils called “Trauma Oil”, it is a favorite for bumps and bruises.
How to Make Arnica “Tea” (Infusion)
Arnica “tea” is available in most natural health stores and specialty tea shops. While it is referred to as “tea”, it is simply an infusion of the dried arnica flowers, and it is not intended for ingestion. Arnica tea contains flavonoids, tannins and sesquiterpenes, which much like arnica essential oil, have a number of health benefits.
Directions
- Take fresh or dried arnica flowers, or arnica powder.
- Place in a bowl.
- If you are using powdered dry flowers, use 1 Tbsp. per 8 oz. (1 cup) filtered or distilled water.
- In a saucepan bring 1 cup (8 oz.) water to a boil.
- Pour boiling water over arnica flowers (or powder) and cover the bowl.
- Allow the mixture to steep in the hot water for 5–6 minutes.
- Pour this infusion through a sieve to filter out the solids and let cool.
- Reserve the liquid.
There are different methods for using this arnica tea: apply the tea to your skin as needed. You can also soak the tea in a cotton cloth (or cotton ball for smaller areas) and apply it to bruises or any areas affected by pain. You can add the tea to a bathtub of hot water for a relaxing, de–stressing bath. You can add warm water to the tea for a soothing foot soak.
To Make an Arnica Infused Oil
Helenalin and other active ingredients in arnica are better absorbed into the skin when combined with fatty acids such as oleic acid. Oil infusions help preserve the potency of the active ingredients for longer periods. You can prepare an oil infusion of arnica with olive, grapeseed or sweet almond oils.
Directions
- Place 1 cup (volume) dried arnica flowers in a sterilized glass jar with a tight–fitting lid.
- Add 2 cups (16 oz.) olive (or any other carrier oil of choice).
- Shake the jar gently to mix the flowers with the oil, or use a clean spoon to mix them well.
- Make sure the flowers are completely immersed in the oil leaving at least 1 inch of space between the oil and the lid.
- Cover the jar with its lid and place in a sunny spot throughout the day.
- Shake the jar or use a spoon to mix the flowers and oil every day for a month, bringing the jar inside at night.
- After a number of days you will see the oil taking on the color and scent of the flowers.
This is a slower infusion method using sunlight and heat in the process. To make a faster infusion, you can use a double boiler or slow cooker to accelerate the process.
In a Double Boiler
With this double boiler method, you can reduce the infusion time to just 4–5 hours.
- Prepare the jar is the same way as the first slow method and place inside a double boiler.
- Let the jar sit in the heat of gently simmering water.
- Care should be taken to keep the burner at the lowest possible temperature throughout the process (the heat is meant to aid the infusion of the active compounds of arnica into the oil, not to cook the flowers).
- The infused oil can be filtered through a sieve to remove the solids and stored in another sterilized glass jar (or bottle) with a tight–fitting lid.
In a Slow Cooker
Prepare the jar is the same way as the first slow method and place in a slow cooker for 24 hours, making sure that the temperature remains below 130 °F.
To Make an Arnica Ointment
This arnica–infused oil can be made into an ointment for easier application.
- Melt beeswax pellets in a double boiler and allow it to cool slightly.
- Stir in the arnica oil infusion before the wax solidifies.
- Adjust the consistency according to your preference.
- Optional: You can mix in some coconut oil to make a lighter ointment for children.
- Optional: Add 1–2 drops of lavender essential oil for a more pleasant fragrance.
To Make an Arnica Tincture
Tinctures made by infusing herbs in alcohol facilitate their quick subcutaneous absorption into the body. The active ingredients in the herbs are drawn into the alcohol, and when the alcohol evaporates, the active ingredients in the tincture become more concentrated. This is what makes tinctures stronger and more effective than infusions. The tincture of arnica is particularly useful for treating deep tissue injuries.
- Take a sterilized glass jar with an airtight lid and place enough dried arnica flowers to fill the jar halfway.
- Fill the entire jar with a high–quality alcohol.
- Mix well with a clean spoon and seal the jar with the lid.
- Store the jar in a cool place, giving it a good shake every day.
- The tincture will be ready to use after about 4–6 weeks, but you may infuse it for longer.
- Strain the tincture into clean bottles and seal them with airtight caps.
- Keep bottles in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Tinctures remain good for years, becoming more potent with time.
Apply no more than 1–2 drops of this arnica tincture on affected areas for quick relief from pain and to resolve bruises faster.
The Toxicity of Arnica
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified Arnica montana as an unsafe herb because of its toxicity (a substance that can damage an organism). Arnica montana contains the toxin helenalin (a sesquiterpene lactone), which can be poisonous if large amounts of the plant are eaten or small amounts of concentrated arnica extracts are used.
It should not be taken orally or applied to broken skin where absorption can occur. Arnica irritates mucous membranes (moist membranes that line body cavities). It may produce contact dermatitis (inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to a chemical) when applied to skin.
Consumption of A. montana can produce severe gastroenteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract), internal bleeding of the digestive tract, diarrhea, vomiting, raised liver enzymes (which can indicate inflammation of the liver), nervousness, accelerated heart rate, muscular weakness, and death if enough is ingested.
In the Ames test, an extract of A. montana was found to be mutagenic (a chemical agent that permanently changes genetic material, usually DNA) to bacteria.
Precautions
Arnica is available as a 100% pure essential oil but should not be applied to skin before it is diluted into a carrier oil, ointment, gel or cream form. In any form, arnica should never be used on broken or damaged skin. Do not apply directly to open wounds as it can be toxic.
Arnica should only be used for topical application. Before using arnica oil, make sure to shake the bottle well. Never use arnica oil in eyes or in mucous membranes. The pure essential oil is actually not even recommended for aromatherapy purposes because it is too potent for inhalation.
Possible Allergenic
Arnica is generally safe to use in diluted form. Topical application of herbal preparations is generally safe but can cause adverse reactions in people allergic to daisy–family plants (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies). Some people may experience side effects after use.
When purchasing arnica oil, look for one that has a low number of natural ingredients. Ideally, the oil contains arnica extract and a high–quality base oil (or oils) such as certified organic olive, almond or grapeseed. Beneficial vitamin E is sometimes also added as a natural preservative. Avoid arnica oil that contains fragrance, often listed as “parfum”, since the fragrance source is unknown and can often be an irritant or cause allergic reactions.
Never ingest essential oils. Ingestion of arnica is not recommended as it can be toxic in high doses. Even when diluted and ingested it can cause an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. In large amounts it can cause internal hemorrhaging. Avoid prolonged use, prolonged use may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Contraindications
Patients taking medicines for the treatment of blood clotting, such as anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, should avoid applying arnica to your skin or hair, as it can slow down the process of blood clotting. It is not safe to use for people with hypersensitive skin, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding as it can be toxic. It can also induce premature labor due to the simulating effects. Use essential oils with extreme caution on children, do not use arnica on children. Some brands clearly labels their essential oils “KidSafe” on the bottle if it can be used on children ages 2–10.
When applying arnica topically (on your skin), always perform a 24–hour skin patch test first using 1–2 drops, read how for further details. Only use arnica oil in diluted form, as pure arnica is very potent. Use almond or grapeseed as a carrier oil to dilute pure arnica oil in a 30:70 ratio if oil is not already diluted.
Use only 100% authentic oils. Arnica oil has a shelf life of years if stored properly in tightly–sealed dark glass containers. Keep in a cool and dry place, such as a dresser drawer or kitchen cabinet. Keep away from heat and cold temperatures and moist areas (such as a bathroom).
Arnica products come with expiration dates. Manufacturer’s advice against using arnica products beyond this date. Any arnica product whose use–by date has passed, should be discarded. Signs that it has expired includes changes in scent, texture and color. If you are interested in trying arnica, be sure to choose a product that is 100% pure and organic. Arnica oil can be found at most health food stores or online.
Note: May also stain clothing.
Sources:
Arnica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnica
Arnica montana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnica_montana
Top 6 Benefits of Arnica Oil and How to Use Safely
https://www.lovingessentialoils.com/blogs/healthy-living/benefits-of-arnica-oil
Jennifer Lane – Certified Aromatherapist on 05/29/2021
32 Health Benefits of Arnica Oil #1 Top Natural Medicine
https://drhealthbenefits.com/herbal/herbal-oil/health-benefits-of-arnica-oil
Scientific review: Dr Heben’s Team
3 ARNICA OIL BENEFITS: SOOTHE INFLAMMATION & HEAL YOUR SKIN
https://naturallivingfamily.com/arnica-oil-benefits/
Reviewed by Eric Zielinski, DC (Dr. Z), Last updated on July 15th, 2022
The Secret Ingredient: Pain Relieving Benefits of Arnica Oil
https://www.spafinder.com/blog/health-and-well-being/secret-ingredient-pain-relieving-benefits-arnica-oil/
Published: Tuesday, February 17th 2015 by Jackie Burns Brisman
15 Arnica Tea Benefits and Uses — By Scientific Research
https://naturallydaily.com/arnica-tea-benefits/