Arnica montana L., commonly known as Mountain Arnica, is a perennial herb native to the mountainous regions of Europe and North America. It is renowned for its bright yellow flowers and its traditional use in herbal medicine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Arnica montana thrives in high-altitude habitats and is often found in meadows and grassy slopes.

Botanical Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Asteraceae
• Genus: Arnica
• Species: Arnica montana

Plant Characteristics: Arnica montana is characterized by:

• Flowers: The plant produces striking daisy-like flowers with bright yellow petals and a central disc. The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and are the primary source of the plant's medicinal properties.
• Leaves: The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, with a rough texture on the upper surface and a woolly underside. They are arranged in a basal rosette and on the stem.
• Growth Habit: It is a herbaceous perennial that typically grows 30 to 60 cm in height. The plant has a robust, upright growth habit and often forms clumps.
• Rhizome: The plant has a short rhizome system, which serves as a storage organ and helps the plant survive adverse conditions.
• Soil and Light: Prefers well-drained, acidic soils and full sunlight to partial shade. It is adapted to cooler climates and higher altitudes.

Chemical Composition and Structure: The chemical composition of Arnica montana includes:

• Flavonoids: Includes quercetin and luteolin, which have known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Sesquiterpene Lactones: Such as helenalin and dihydrohelenalin, which are responsible for the plant's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
• Essential Oils: The plant contains essential oils that contribute to its therapeutic properties.
• Tannins: Present in the plant, they have astringent properties and contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Uses and Benefits:

• Medicinal: Arnica montana is used topically in various forms, such as creams, gels, and ointments, for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It is commonly used to relieve bruises, muscle pain, and joint pain. It is also used for its potential benefits in treating sprains and strains.
• Cosmetic: Arnica extracts are used in skincare products for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. They are included in formulations aimed at reducing puffiness and improving skin appearance.
• Homeopathic: In homeopathy, Arnica montana is used in diluted forms to treat a variety of ailments, including trauma, bruising, and post-surgical recovery.

Applications:

• Medicinal: Applied topically in creams, gels, and ointments to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and treat bruises and muscle strains. It is often used in natural and alternative medicine for its healing properties.
• Cosmetic: Incorporated into skincare products to benefit from its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Found in anti-aging creams, eye creams, and body lotions.

INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS   68990-11-4

EC number    273-579-2

• Homeopathic: Used in homeopathic remedies for its purported effects on physical trauma and recovery. Available in various potencies for different conditions.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

• Safety: Arnica montana should not be applied to broken skin or used internally as it can be toxic if ingested or improperly used. When used topically, it should be applied according to product instructions and avoided by individuals with sensitive skin or allergies. Consulting a healthcare professional is advisable, particularly for homeopathic use.
• Environmental Impact: Arnica montana is typically cultivated in controlled environments due to its specific growing conditions. Overharvesting from wild populations can threaten its sustainability, so responsible sourcing and cultivation practices are important.

Studies

It exerts antioxidant (1), antibacterial (2), anti-inflammatory (3), antifungal (4) activities.

This study draws attention to the use of Arnica montana as an alternative to chemicals.:"Chemical and plant-derived anti-bacterials to treat gingivitis and periodontitis at the initial stage should be used in combination amid their different mechanisms of action. Plant-derived actives for oral care could substitute toxic chemicals due to multiple modes of positive effects" (5).

Bibliografia_____________________________________________

(1) Gawlik-Dziki, U., Swieca, M., Sugier, D., & Cichocka, J. (2009). Seeds of Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis as a potential source of natural antioxidants. Herba Pol, 55(1), 60-71.

Abstract. Arnica sp. infusions and tinctures play a great role in the traditional and contemporary medicine. Seeds of plantation-grown Arnica montana L. (AM) and Arnica chamissonis var. foliosa Less. (AC) are a good source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In both studied genera higher levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected in water extracts. Regardless of plant genus, predominant fractions of phenolics were determined in seeds, comprising chlorogenic, caffeic acid, quercetin and kaempferol. All samples show high antioxidant activity, however, their levels depend on the extraction procedure and used material. The free radicals were scavenged most effectively by extracts of AC seeds (30.3% – SASA, 31.3% – DPPH and 39.8% – ABTS, respectively). It should be noted that lipid peroxidation was strongly inhibited by both studied tinctures. It is noteworthy that studied samples show positive correlations between inhibition of lipid peroxidation ability and total flavonoids and phenolic acids content (r=0.89 and r=0.83, respectively). Results obtained from this study show that Arnica seeds extract, either alone or in combination with other active principles, can be used in cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. 

(2) Clauser M, Aiello N, Scartezzini F, Innocenti G, Dall'Acqua S. Differences in the chemical composition of Arnica montana flowers from wild populations of north Italy. Nat Prod Commun. 2014 Jan;9(1):3-6. PMID: 24660447.

Abstract. The flower heads of fourteen wild Arnica montana L. populations were collected in the summer of 2010 in the provinces of Trento, Brescia and Bergamo (Italy). The dried flowers were analyzed to assess their chemical diversity. HLPC-MS analysis led to the identification of phenolic derivatives and sesquiterpene lactones in the samples, confirming literature data. Quali-quantitative analysis of the flower heads showed similar qualitative patterns both for the phenolic as well as sesquiterpene lactone derivatives, while significant variability was obtained in the amounts (HPLC-DAD) of sesquiterpene lactones (0.45-2.31%), phenolic acids (1.44-2.88%) and flavonoids (0.96-2.44%). The highest quantities of sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids and phenolic acids were found in Malga Fregasoga (1703 m above sea level), Rifugio Camini (1608 m a.s.l.) and Malga Sass (1817 m a.s.l.) samples, respectively.

(3) Kowalski, R., Sugier, D., Sugier, P., & Kołodziej, B. (2015). Evaluation of the chemical composition of essential oils with respect to the maturity of flower heads of Arnica montana L. and Arnica chamissonis Less. cultivated for industry. Industrial Crops and Products, 76, 857-865.

Abstract. The aim of the studies was to evaluate the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from different mature flower heads of Arnica montana L. and Arnica chamissonis Less. cultivated for industry. The impact of different stages of flower development on the quantity and chemical composition of volatile oils of Arnica montana L. and Arnica chamissonis Less. in eastern Poland were studied. The flower heads were harvested in four different development phases and the chemical composition of essential oils was investigated by GC/MS. Fifty compounds in the case of A. montana and 62 components in the case of A. chamissonis constitued over 90% of the total oil content. In the case of the two plant species studied, the flower head maturity determined the quantity and chemical composition of oils. The content of volatile oils in flower heads of A. montana was in the range from 0.158% to 0.195% and in A. chamissonis from 0.137% to 0.194%. The highest content of volatile oils in the flower heads of the two plant species studied was noted in the full flowering phase, when ligulate florets were opened, and up to half of the disc of tubular florets were opened. Differences in the volatile oil content were noted between the species studied only in the stage of yellow buds, whereas in the other stages the contents were similar. E-caryophyllene, alpha-pinene, isopropyl hexadecanoate, farnesyl acetate, alpha-cis-bergamotene, and decanal are the main components that determined the oil chemical differentiation. Generally, higher amounts of E-caryophyllene, farnesyl acetate, and germacrene D were detected in the flower heads of A. montana in relation to A. chamissonis. Among the main volatile oil components, isopropyl hexadecanoate and alpha-pinene were present only in the flower heads of A. chamissonis, while alpha-cis-bergamotene was only noted in A. montana. The investigations of A. montana volatile oils in the flower heads have shown the existence the differences in the chemical profile in relation to other European populations of this species.

(4) Kriplani P, Guarve K, Baghael US. Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;69(8):925-945. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12724. Epub 2017 Apr 11. PMID: 28401567.

(5) Kharaeva ZF, Mustafaev MS, Khazhmetov AV, Gazaev IH, Blieva LZ, Steiner L, Mayer W, Luca C, Korkina LG. Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Toothpaste with Swiss Medicinal Herbs towards Patients Suffering from Gingivitis and Initial Stage of Periodontitis: from Clinical Efficacy to Mechanisms. Dent J (Basel). 2020 Jan 15;8(1):10. doi: 10.3390/dj8010010. PMID: 31952199; PMCID: PMC7148460.

Abstract. Objective: To distinguish clinical effects and mechanisms of sodium monofluorophosphate plus xylitol and herbal extracts of Swiss medicinal plants (Chamomilla recutita, Arnica montana, Echinacea purpurea, and Salvia officinalis). ....Conclusions: Chemical and plant-derived anti-bacterials to treat gingivitis and periodontitis at the initial stage should be used in combination amid their different mechanisms of action. Plant-derived actives for oral care could substitute toxic chemicals due to multiple modes of positive effects.