Background: Native to the mountains of Russia and Europe, the leaves were smoked as a substitute for tobacco, hence its common name: mountain tobacco. Arnica has a long history of use, appearing in recorded folk remedies for six centuries.
In the literature, St. John's wort was referred to commonly as ' arnica for the spine.'
Description: Arnica grows up to two feet in the mountainous regions of Europe and western North America. Dried orange-yellow flower heads supply a therapeutic volatile oil.
Safety: Recommended for external topical applications only.
Prolonged treatment of damaged skin, e.g., use for injuries or ulcus cruris (indolent leg ulcers), often causes edematous dermatitis with the formation of pustules. Long use can also give rise to eczema. In treatment involving higher concentrations of the drug, primary toxic skin reactions with formation of vesicles or even necroses may occur.
