Arnica oil is an oil derived from the arnica plant which is a herbaceous plant of the perennial genus. The arnica plant is of the Asterales order of flowering plants in the family called Asteraceae.
The arnica plant grows naturally in the mountainous regions of Siberia, and also in Europe, and has been brought over and cultivated in North America more recently, as well.
The name arnica comes from the Greek word arni, which means lamb, and is a reference to the Arnica plant’s soft, and hairy leaves.
The arnica plant can usually be seen growing to a height of no more than one to two feet and features colorful flowers that are reminiscent of daisies but with prominent, bright, green leaves as well.
The flowers are around two to three inches in diameter and sprout from round and hairy stems which end in up to three stalks. The uppermost leaves are hairy, thus the name arnica, and toothed, while the leaves found lower on the plant features rounder tips.
Arnica is typically found as an essential oil, usually containing 100 percent pure arnica, but should not be used in this form. 100% arnica oil should be diluted into either a lesser-strength oil, a gel, an ointment, or a cream before it may be used.
It is important that arnica oil never is applied to any damaged or broken skin. It’s also recommended that you avoid using it while practicing aromatherapy as it is far too potent for inhalation purposes.
100% pure arnica essential oil should never be ingested as it can be toxic, but when properly diluted it may be used in this way.
My Top 5 Best Arnica Oil Brands In 2019
Product | My Rating |
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*The companies chosen above are based upon my personal opinion based upon me giving them a try and testing their quality.
10 Effective Uses For Arnica Oil
Can Be Used To Heal Bruises
If you have a bruise, arnica oil may be applied topically and is an effective means of healing bruises and even smaller broken blood vessels that appear near your skin’s surface.
The Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University researched arnica oil and confirmed arnica’s effectiveness at this. Arnica oil may also be used in order to aid in your bodies ability to recover from internal bleeding and may even be used to treat postpartum bleeding!
Can Be Used To Treat Skin Rashes And Infection
If you’ve come down with a rash or an infection on your skin, arnica oil may be applied topically as an effective treatment!
If your skin is irritated, consider seeking out a lotion or balm containing arnica oil in order to naturally realize relief!
Can Be Used To Reduce The Inflammation Brought On By Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A recent statistic states that roughly three percent of both men and women of adult age will develop carpal tunnel syndrome during the course of their professional lives.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects the opening found at the base of the arm, where your hand connects right at the wrist and contains many vital nerves.
If this area of your wrist experiences too much inflammation, the nerves found there may become constricted which can result in pain, numbness, and eventually reduced hand function!
By applying arnica oil directly to the area of your wrist that is experiencing pain a few times a day, you may notice relief!
Can Be Used To Treat Symptoms Of Arthritis
Quite a few studies have been conducted that looked at arnica oil’s potential ability to relieve the various symptoms associated with arthritis.
The results of these studies point to arnica oil being just as effective in relieving the nagging symptoms of arthritis as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs!
If you have arthritis, consider applying arnica oil topically to the area experiencing discomfort in order to relieve some of your symptoms.
Can Be Used To Improve Athletic Performance
If you’re an athlete, then you’re probably worried about your body’s ability to recover from some of the more intense and demanding workouts you put it through in time for your next session.
If this is you, then arnica oil may be an effective tool to add to your daily regiment in order to combat the soreness, potential muscle strains, pulls, sprains, tears, and inflammation that come about as a result of an intense workout.
To use arnica oil in order to improve your body’s ability to recover, consider applying it topically every few hours throughout your day until you notice your body is recovering quicker.
Can Be Used To Regrow Hair
For both men and women, hair loss can be an embarrassing thing to have to go through. Men specifically often find that as they age, their hair may begin to thin and balding may occur.
Women also have to deal with hair loss as a result of either hormonal and endocrine system imbalances, genetics, sickness, stress, and due to side effects of some medications. If you find yourself falling victim to any of the above, then arnica oil may be just what you need.
If you are experiencing hair loss, consider using a shampoo or conditioner featuring arnica oil in order to stimulate your scalp to start producing new hair.
Can Be Used To Improve Healing After Surgery
Due to arnica oil’s amazing ability to improve circulation and blood flow, it may be used as an effective means of speeding up the healing process post surgery!
Arnica oil is commonly recommended by surgeons either to be used topically or ingested following surgery in order to quicken your body’s ability to heal.
Following surgery, if recommended to do so by your doctor, consider using a homeopathic oral preparation or a topically applied oil in order to heal faster.
Can Be Used To Minimize Stretch Marks As A Result Of Pregnancy Or Weight Loss
Pregnancy and giving birth to a new baby is an exciting experience but often times in the weeks following, the resultant stretch marks can be upsetting.
If you’ve recently dropped a considerable amount of weight, you may have noticed stretch marks appear as result, which brings along feelings of self-consciousness.
If you find yourself with stretch marks, consider applying arnica oil topically in order to minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
Can Be Used To Treat Acne And Other Skin Ailments
Aside from arnica oil’s more commonly known applications of aiding in healing, treating inflammation, and relieving pain, arnica oil may be used as an effective means of clearing up problem skin conditions.
Such conditions include acne, whiteheads, blackheads, and clogged pores!
If you’re considering arnica oil as an option to treat your acne or other problem skin conditions, apply arnica oil topically to whatever areas are affected.
Can Be Used To Improve Your Oral Health
Although not common knowledge, arnica oil has been used for quite some time as a homeopathic remedy to a variety of oral issues including sore throats, tooth pain, before a tooth extraction, and for a variety of other issues.
It can be found as an active ingredient in many oral rinses, toothpastes, and mouthwashes that you are able to find readily in supermarkets.
Due to arnica oil’s many anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-biotic, and anti-fungal properties it may be used as an effective means of fending off tooth decay bacterial infections, gum diseases, and many other oral health issues.
In order to realize relief from any of the above oral conditions, consider adding an oral health formulation containing arnica to your daily oral health regiment.
Arnica Oil’s Benefits And Studies
Increases Circulation
Arnica oil has been found to reduce coagulation of blood throughout your cardiovascular system which increases your circulation, lower your blood pressure, and even prevent blood clots from forming!
Due to arnica oil’s cardiovascular and stimulating effects, it can also benefit you by increasing your body’s healing ability and energy stores!
Boosts Immune System
A lot of research has been done on arnica oil which discovered that it has the ability increase your body’s ability to produce white blood cells, which are your body’s main line of defense in the immune system.
Arnica oil’s immune boosting abilities result in your body building up a better resistance to both viruses and bacteria. In order to realize arnica oil’s immune-boosting effects, simply apply it topically.
Has Antioxidant Properties
Researchers have found that alongside its high mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acid content, arnica oil also contains many beneficial antioxidants including thymol, and sesquiterpenes, to name a few.
These beneficial antioxidants have the amazing ability to help minimize your risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases including certain types of cancer, osteoarthritis, and even heart disease!
Arnica Oil Nutrient Density Breakdown
Although arnica oil is best avoided for internal use due to potential toxicity issues unless it is in a diluted form, arnica oil contains many beneficial compounds.
Arnica oil is comprised of roughly 50 percent fatty acids. Some of these fatty acids include palmitic, linolenic, myristic, and linoleic acids.
The other 50 or so percent of arnica oil is comprised of a variety of other compounds including dimethyl ether, thymol, specific ethers of thymol, thymohydroquinone, and phlorol isobutyrate.
Is Arnica Safe To Use?
Most people are able to enjoy arnica oil’s benefits without any issues, and it is generally considered a safe compound. If you do happen to develop inflammation or a rash following topical application, simply cease using arnica oil.
If you are particularly sensitive to the Compositae or Asteraceae families of plants then arnica oil may cause an allergic reaction to occur. For your reference, some of the other plants in these families include marigolds, daisies, ragweed, and chrysanthemums.
If you suspect that you are allergic to any of these plants then it is best to consult with a medical professional before adding arnica or arnica oil to your regular use. If you are unsure if you are allergic, consider performing a patch test to see if a reaction occurs before going all out.
Arnica oil should only be applied to skin that is free of damage and remains unbroken as too much arnica can be absorbed into these areas, results in toxic levels of arnica being reached within your body. It should not be applied to mucous membranes either.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have particularly sensitive skin, arnica oil is best avoided. Do not allow children access to arnica oil as if consumed in large enough amounts, it may be poisonous and can even result in death!
Avoid consuming arnica unless the formulation you have was specifically created for this purpose!
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Arnica Oil Research & Facts
An interesting fact about arnica oil is that its healing abilities has been known since all the way back in the 12th century!
A German nun called Hildegard of Bingen, also known also as Saint Hildegard, who was known for her insights and observations regarding physiology and nature, wrote about arnica’s amazing healing abilities hundred of years ago.
Arnica has also been a prominent feature of Russian fold medicine and since as early as the 16th century, people in the mountainous regions of the Swiss Alps have used it to heal bruises and relieve aching muscles.
Another fun fact about arnica is that it’s flowers become much more aromatic depending on how high above sea level it grows. Arnica has been referred to as mountain tobacco since its leaves resemble that of the tobacco plant.
When the flowers of the arnica plant are dried, if they’re handled improperly they may end up irritating your nose.
Arnica may sometimes be found in both foods and beverages for its flavor. Arnica is found in some frozen dairy desserts, baked goods, candy, puddings, and gelatins.
When added to these foods, arnica is always used in very small amounts due to its toxic potential when consumed in larger amounts.
final Thoughts About Arnica Oil
Arnica and arnica oil have many wonderful health benefits and a variety of uses that make it a very versatile essential oil. Arnica oil’s many benefits are backed by science, with doctors and surgeons frequently recommending its use.
When used properly, arnica oil is a safe means of treating a variety of conditions and ailments. It has been used for hundreds of years in order to treat bruising and pain and now with research backing up these claims, there’s no harm in adding it to your daily regiment!
