Arnica

The flowers as well roots and leaves of this herbaceous plant are used.
It contains sesquiterpenic lactones, essential oil, flavonoids and traces of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Used topically on unbroken skin.
Indicated in traditional medicine without evidence of its effectiveness: topical anti-inflammatory to treat bruises, sprains and localized muscle aches (EMA 2014).

Do not apply on damaged skin.

It is very toxic when taken orally (Anderson 2017) with reports of gastroenteritis, cardiac arrhythmia, neurological problems and death (WHO 2007 p.77, nal 2001) in people who have taken it and a case of severe hemolytic anemia in a 9-day newborn whose mother took an arnica infusion (Miller 2009).

Since the last update date we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

The small dose and the low plasma absorption of most topical dermatological preparations make transfer to breastmilk in significant amounts unlikely to happen.

Do not apply on the chest so as to prevent the infant from swallowing it, nor over extended areas or for prolonged periods in order to avoid systemic absorption.
Wash your hands after application of arnica in order to avoid possible contact with the infant's mouth.

Synonyms

• Arnica flower
• Leopard's Bane
• Mountain Tobacco
• Wolf's Bane

Writings

• Arnica montana (Latin, botanical name)
• Άρνικα (Greek)
• Арника (Cyrillic)
• HD03WX5003 (ATC Code/s)