Whole dried arnica flowers, Arnica montana, the small golden daisy of high mountain meadows. These are for external preparations only: infused oils, balms and compresses for knocks, bruises and tired muscles. Arnica is never taken internally. Key Benefits The classic external herb: arnica has been the one people reach for after a knock, a sprain or a hard day on their feet since at least the 1500s. Whole flowerheads: left whole rather than cut, which makes for a clean strain once the oil has done its work. Made for infused oil: the resins come out slowly into a warm carrier oil, which then sets into a balm with a little beeswax. Simple as a compress: a strained infusion on a folded cloth is the quickest way to use it, with nothing to make up in advance. Goes a long way: 50g of flowers will make several jars of balm, so a single pack lasts most households a long time. How to Use For infused oil, fill a jar about a third full with the flowers, cover them completely with olive, almond or sunflower oil, and leave it somewhere dark for four to six weeks, shaking every few days. If you are in a hurry, warm the jar in a double boiler on the lowest setting for three or four hours instead. Strain well, then melt in roughly 30g of beeswax per cup of oil for a balm. For a compress, pour a cup of hot water over two tablespoons of the flowers, steep for ten to fifteen minutes, strain, then soak a clean cloth in the liquid and lay it over the sore spot. That liquid goes on the skin only. It is not a tea and is not for drinking. Calendula and Comfrey Leaf are the usual companions in a first-aid oil, and St John's Wort is often infused alongside arnica for a muscle rub. Good to Know Mountain tobacco is one of its old names, and it is a literal one. The dried leaves were smoked as a tobacco substitute by people living high in the ranges. Hildegard of Bingen wrote about arnica in the twelfth century, and by the 1800s alpine climbers were carrying it for sore legs after a long day on the rock. It only really grows on poor, acid mountain soils and sulks in a garden bed, which is why almost all of it is still picked by hand out of meadows rather than farmed. For external use on unbroken skin only. Never take arnica internally, and do not apply it to broken skin, open wounds, eyes or lips. Avoid it if you react to plants in the daisy family. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.Allow 7 to 14 days before dispatch. Anything else in your order will be sent with it, so you only pay one lot of postage.
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