Essential Oil

Arnica Oil: Side Effects, Properties And Benefits

3 years ago
Read Time: 11 minutes
by Kathie Sand
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Arnica is a plant similar to chamomile that is used in home medicine, thanks to its medicinal properties. It is the type of plant that lives more than two years, whose stem is not made of wood, very sensitive and also has medicinal properties.

What is arnica oil?

Arnica oil is a substance obtained from the arnica montana plant, used in natural medicine for its therapeutic, anti-inflammatory properties and to treat pain caused by blows, bruises or sprains.

Origin of arnica oil

Arnica is native to Europe and Asia together, spreading throughout the western parts of North America; It is cultivated in the Cantabrian Mountains (Spain), Galicia and the Pyrenees, in mountainous, cold areas, lacking in lime and acid soil, with little nitrogen, as for example in Estonia and Scotland.

Over time, this plant has evolved and its cultivation is carried out in warm areas, away from the cold, thus maintaining its medicinal properties, from which arnica oil is extracted.

Arnica oil history

The arnica plant belongs to the “ perennial compositae ” family , whose period of duration exceeds one year, it is cultivated in Europe and Siberia, and in the mountainous regions of North America.

In the Middle Low Ages, it was believed that this plant contributed to the discovery of absolute truth, activating transcendent thought; but the excessive use of that brain because it was generating nervous breakdowns, sudden dementia and sometimes death.

Since times past, this plant has been used for medicinal purposes, throughout the European territory it is highly protected due to its proven potential curative properties, and it is in danger of extinction due to hasty collection for sale as a natural medicine.

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Arnica oil characteristics

Product of the maceration of arnicas yellow flowers (very showy and showy) whose stem is hairy and solitary (without bark), oval leaves, arnica oil is homogeneous in appearance, yellowish in color, soluble in water, smell and taste a bit bitter, but combined with another conductive oil, makes it tolerable to the touch and palate.

Arnica oil scientific name

Arnica has the scientific name “Arnica Montana L”, which means perennial plant and has a life span of more than two years.

Chemical composition of arnica oil

Among the chemical components of arnica oil are flavonoids (antioxidants) that tone the circulatory system, choline that helps lower blood pressure; mucilage (soluble in water), alkaloid (betaine and arnicide) control heart diseases, increase muscle mass, loss of fat and production of protein in the body, amisterine, inulin, recine.

How is arnica oil extracted?

The process to extract the arnica oil is through maceration, placing the dried flowers inside a glass container, with carrier oil (olive, jojoba, almonds), it is placed on the fire in a water bath for 10 minutes After resting, stir with a metal utensil to integrate the properties of arnica, cover the container and shake so that the properties are completely mixed; it is placed in a cool place where it is not affected by sunlight, for approximately 40 days; At the end of the time, filter the remains and pour it into another glass container, preferably a dark one to protect the properties of the anica and store it in a dry and dark place.

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Recommended dosage of arnica oil

To use arnica oil, it should be done only topically, due to its high content of dihydrolenalin and helenalin (anti-inflammatory and analgesic), it should not be consumed because it creates a toxic reaction, causing chronic diarrhea and vomiting.

In supervised and controlled quantities, it is used for medicinal and therapeutic massages without exceeding its use.

Active principles of arnica oil

Arnica oil has 80% dimethyl ester, butyrate, laurate, valerian, methyl palm; flavonoids, mucilage, heterogeneous polysaccharides, carotenes (flower coloration), phenyl carboxylic acids, coumarin (allows substances to penetrate the pores), phytosterols (plant cells that can be consumed by humans).

Arnica oil benefits and properties

Among the benefits provided by the use of arnica oil are: it acts against muscle aches, spasms, or rheumatic pain caused by arthritis; tears and inflammation caused by fractures. It improves blood circulation and prevents bruising or inflammation from insect bites.

Controls excess oil or sebum, both on the scalp that produces dandruff, and on the face that causes acne or eczema on the skin.

It is good for hair, how is it used?

Thanks to the fact that it contains antioxidants, flavonoids (they help in cell regeneration, anti-inflammatory), arnica oil is used for hair because it prevents hair loss, because it stimulates the production of follicles, strengthening the root.

Prevents the formation of dandruff, due to its antibiotic properties, as well as avoids the excessive formation of fat on the scalp, due to impurities present in the environment and due to the use of hair products.

Arnica oil is used in small drops that are added to shampoo, massaged into the scalp to absorb the properties and prevent itching, dandruff and fat accumulation, which damages the healthy and natural appearance of the hair.

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What benefits does it bring for the skin and face?

Among the benefits that arnica oil has, it is to help the vitamins reinforce their antibacterial and antiviral action, avoid the accumulation of toxins and free radicals that cause acne, eczema, hydrate the skin preventing the appearance of wrinkles and their Once it prevents the skin from losing elasticity.

Does arnica oil help you lose weight?

Arnica oil is indicated as a treatment for muscle aches, inflammation, and joint pain; It does not have a direct effect to lose weight, but it can be used as a complement in this process, because it helps to give a better appearance to the skin avoiding aging, hydrating and nourishing the skin, thus helping to clarify the stretch marks that are formed by the excessive increase in weight.

For wrinkles and acne

According to its antibacterial properties, it is indicated against the appearance of acne because it has antioxidants and vitamins, which counteract the accumulation of fats and toxins on the face, and against wrinkles, it provides moisturizing properties that prevent the aging of the skin, providing nutrients that favorably accelerate blood circulation.

It is important to note that the use of arnica oil must be topical and mixed with another carrier oil, so that its properties do not cause irritability and toxicity in the skin of the face that is so delicate.

Pregnancy and arnica oil

Although it is true that there are natural remedies that are not indicated to be used during pregnancy, the woman must take care of herself and the baby and avoid as much as possible any risk that could threaten the life of the baby.

Arnica oil is recommended by homeopaths and naturopaths, only as topical use to help reduce inflammation of tired feet and improve blood circulation; but it does not recommend that it be ingested in infusions or tea, because it can cause voluntary abortions or accelerate labor without the baby having the full time to be born.

Therefore, it can be used during pregnancy through lotions, creams or gel, imparted through massage, but not ingested because it is highly toxic to the baby. Although on very rare occasions, it is recommended to take arnica oil, in minimal doses in tea, under medical supervision.

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During lactation it is safe to use

The use of arnica oil is not recommended to consume it while you are breastfeeding, if you feel discomfort, bump or pain in any part of the body, it should be used in poultices, creams or ointments, so as not to cause opposite effects or toxic reactions for both.

Is arnica oil good for babies?

Babies are very susceptible to suffering from bites, blows, due to their curiosity and restlessness; When some of these episodes occur, it is recommended to use arnica oil in creams or ointments, which will help relieve pain or reduce swelling caused by a fall, it should never be used directly on wounds because it will complicate the same .

It should be placed through gentle massages in the affected area, in underage children, only as a topical but do not ingest it.

Arnica oil as a mosquito repellent

For its anti-inflammatory effects, arnica oil is used to soothe swelling caused by mosquito and insect bites.

It is used as an ingredient in lotions and body creams to prevent annoying mosquito bites.

Arnica oil cosmetic uses

Due to the content of vitamins that arnica oil has, it acts against free radicals that affect the health of the skin, preventing aging, in addition to naturally hydrating the skin.

It has repairing effects for damaged hair and eliminating dandruff, it acts against the appearance of stretch marks and acne, applying it in direct gentle massages to the affected skin.

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Medicinal properties of arnica oil

There are many medicinal properties that arnica oil provides; for hundreds of years it has been implemented for that purpose; Among those mentioned:

Collaborates in blood circulation, when used in massages in the areas near the heart.
It prevents the formation of bruises, which tend to form from an injury or blow.
It is a pain reliever for arthritis joint pain.
It is antibacterial, because it prevents the formation of acne and eczema on the skin.
Moisturizing, nourishing and anti-aging of the skin.

Natural anti-inflammatory

Among the components of arnica oil is helenalin, considered a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, with immediate effects, in addition to providing therapeutic effects that activate an immune response to pain.

Arnica oil against cancer, is it good?

According to the anti-inflammatory properties, as well as improve blood circulation; It has been used for a long time in natural medicine, and its use is currently being tested against cancer cells in the colon and lung; but so far its effect has not been proven to directly treat this disease.

How is arnica oil used for massages?

Massages are stimulation processes that are carried out on the muscles of the body, in order to improve their functioning, help in healing, relaxation and anti-stress therapies.

These massages are performed with the help of an agent that facilitates the well-being process of the person.

For this, oils are used that, due to their properties, improve the condition of the affected part.

Such is the case of arnica oil combined with another conductive oil, it provides anti-inflammatory benefits, eliminating aches and pains in the body.

Used through lotions, gels, ointments or ointments, together with a moisturizer, it allows the skin to absorb it more easily and give the desired results.

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Aromatherapy and arnica oil

Arnica oil in its pure composition should not be used for aromatherapy, because it can be toxic, due to the helenalin component that is appropriate to treat inflammations in the therapeutic area, but that in its pure state causes allergic reactions and sensitivity in the person. who is using it.

How to make homemade arnica oil?

Arnica oil is a very beneficial natural remedy to soothe muscle aches, dislocations, sprains and its calming effect is proven.

So it is highly recommended to have it in the first aid kit at home.

So that you never miss it, there is the following homemade recipe to make homemade arnica oil: 100gr. Arnica place it in 300ml of olive, jojoba or almond oil in a glass container, let it rest for 1 month in a cool place, out of contact with light; after that time, it is poured into another glass container, and it begins to be used at the desired moment.

Arnica oil side effects

Arnica oil, according to its components, should not be used in its natural or pure form, it should be diluted with another carrier oil.

If used directly, that is, if ingested, it can cause increased heart rate, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, destabilize the nervous system, as well as cause problems with the normal functioning of the heart.

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Kathie Sand

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Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.