Description: A member of the Daisy family, Arnica is a perennial herb, indigenous to Central Europe, found in woods and mountain pastures.
The leaves form a flat rosette, a flower stalk rising from the center, 1-2 feet high, with orange-yellow flowers. The rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry rootlets on the under surface.
Main constituents: Flavonoids, Mucilage, Polysaccharides, Volatile Oil
Properties: Aromatic, Carminative, Stimulant (see warnings!).
Uses: Internal use of arnica is not advised. Externally, it is a valuable external treatment for bruises & sprains, improving the local blood supply & speeding healing.
Safety Considerations: DO NOT take internally, except under guidance of a professional. Arnica can be highly toxic even in low doses. Do not use on broken skin.
Magical:
Folk Names: Wolf's Bane (not to be confused with Wolf's Bane Aconitum napellus, also known as Monkshood or Thor's Hat)
Element: Water (?)Gender: Feminine (?)
Planet: Jupiter, Saturn
Powers: Protection from Spirits, Calms Storms
Uses: In Teutonic tradition it is used with St. John's Wort & Bracken in the Summer Solstice Ritual. Also used at Samhain. Associated with Freya, it provides protection from Thunderstorms. A German rhyme is translated: "Set arnica alight, set arnica alight; Make the thunderstorm take flight." Use as protection from wild animals.
