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'Arnica' usually refers to ''Arnica montana'', a mountain plant used for relief of bruises, stiffness, and muscle soreness in homeopathic and holistic medicine. Arnica is widely used as a salve for bruises and sprains [http://www.herbcorner.net/recipes/r_arnica.html], and sometimes as a tincture [http://www.drweil.com/u/Article/A46/], for the same anti-inflmmatory, pain-relieving purposes. It is available in natural/health food stores, most commonly in gel form, to be applied to the affected area approximately three times daily.


== Botanical Description ==


'''Arnica''' is a genus with about 30 [[perennial plant|perennial ]], herbaceous species, belonging to the sunflower family ([[Asteraceae]]). The name ''Arnica'' means ''lamb's skin'' referring to the soft, hairy leaves.
'''Arnica''' is a genus with about 30 [[perennial plant|perennial ]], herbaceous species, belonging to the sunflower family ([[Asteraceae]]). The name ''Arnica'' means ''lamb's skin'' referring to the soft, hairy leaves.
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Several species, such as ''[[Arnica montana]]'' and ''Arnica chamissonis'' contain [[helenalin]], a sesquiterpene lactone that is a major ingredient in [[anti-inflammatory]] preparations (mostly against bruises).
Several species, such as ''[[Arnica montana]]'' and ''Arnica chamissonis'' contain [[helenalin]], a sesquiterpene lactone that is a major ingredient in [[anti-inflammatory]] preparations (mostly against bruises).


''Arnica'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Bucculatricidae|Bucculatrix arnicella]]''. In folk and holistic medicine, Arnica has been used as a salve for bruises and sprains [http://www.herbcorner.net/recipes/r_arnica.html], and sometimes as a tincture [http://www.drweil.com/u/Article/A46/], for the same purpose.
''Arnica'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Bucculatricidae|Bucculatrix arnicella]]''.


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==

Revision as of 21:09, 25 April 2006

Arnica
Chamisso Arnica (Arnica chamissonis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Subfamily:
Asteroideae
Tribe:
Heliantheae
Subtribe:
Madiinae
Genus:
Arnica

Species

See text.

'Arnica' usually refers to Arnica montana, a mountain plant used for relief of bruises, stiffness, and muscle soreness in homeopathic and holistic medicine. Arnica is widely used as a salve for bruises and sprains [1], and sometimes as a tincture [2], for the same anti-inflmmatory, pain-relieving purposes. It is available in natural/health food stores, most commonly in gel form, to be applied to the affected area approximately three times daily.


Botanical Description

Arnica is a genus with about 30 perennial , herbaceous species, belonging to the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The name Arnica means lamb's skin referring to the soft, hairy leaves.

This circumboreal and montane genus occurs mostly in the temperate regions of western North America, while two are native to Eurasia (A. angustifolia and A. montana).

Arnica used to be included in the tribe Senecioneae, because it has a pappus of fine bristles. This was soon questioned and Nordenstam (1977) placed it tentatively in tribe Heliantheae s.l. This arrangement became also uncertain because of the sesquiterpene lactone chemistry in certain species. Lately Arnica was placed in an unresolved clade together with Madiinae, Eupatorieae, Heliantheae s.s. and Pectidinae.

Several species, such as Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis contain helenalin, a sesquiterpene lactone that is a major ingredient in anti-inflammatory preparations (mostly against bruises).

Arnica species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix arnicella.

Characteristics

They have a deep-rooted, erect stem, that is usually unbranched. Their downy, opposite leaves are borne towards the apex of the stem. The ovoid, leathery, basal leaves are arranged in a rosette.

They show large yellow or orange flowers, 6-8 cm wide with 10-15 long ray florets and numerous disc florets. The phyllaries (= a bract under the flowerhead) has long spreading hairs Each phyllary is associated with a ray floret. Species of Arnica, with an involucre (= a circle of bracts arranged surrounding the flower head) arranged in two rows, have only their outer phyllaries associated with ray florets. The flowers have a slight aromatic smell.

The seed-like fruit has a pappus of plumose, white or pale tan bristles.

Species

References

  • Maguire, B. (1943). "A monograph of the genus Arnica (Senecioneae, Compositae)". Brittonia. 4: 386–510.
  • Wolf, S.J. & K.E. Denford (1984). "Taxonomy of Arnica (Compositae) subgenus Austromontana". Rhodora Journal of the New England Botanical Club. 86 (847): 239–309.
  • Nordenstam, B. 1977 Senecioneae and Liabeae—systematic review. In V. H. Heywood, J. B. Harborne, and B. L. Turner [eds.], The biology and chemistry of the Compositae, vol. II, 799–830. Academic Press, London, UK
  • Baldwin, B. G. (1999). "New combinations in Californian Arnica and Monolopia". Novon. 9: 460–461.
  • Lyss, G., T. J. Schmidt, H. L. Pahl, and I. Merfort (1999). "Anti-inflammatory activity of Arnica tincture (DAB 1998) using the transcription factor NF-kappaB as molecular target". Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Letters. 9: 5–8.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • Wolf, S. J., and K. E. Denford (1984). "Taxonomy of Arnica (Compositae) subgenus Austromontana". Rhodora. 86: 239–309.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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