Long discussion on how most of the Arnica on the market is not true Arnica due to difference in names between Mexican and European herbs. Fresh tincture can be made from leaves - best with a little flower and root, too. MM recommends dried for salves. Used externally for sore muscles and joints. Excess contact with skin can over-excite macrophages cause inflammation of the skin/rash, especially with rheumatoid arthritis. Arnica limits inflammatory damage to injured tissue. Topically or internally, arnica is good first aid for injuries. Internally, arnica is vaso-dilator and increases circulation. Internally, arnica is good for traumatic injury or trauma with no serious injury. He says arnica can also help calm an angry drunk. Too much arnica can over dilate blood vessels in the gut and cause problems.
This lesson is mostly info on making salves. He does include a good description of ruby - wow, do I miss playing that game! I was GOOD at rugby!!!!
ARNICA (A. montana, A. cordifolia, A. latiflora, etc.) WHOLE PLANT. Fresh plant, flower or root tincture [1:2], dry flowers or herb tincture, [1:5, 50% alcohol] and dry root tincture [1:5, 60% alcohol]. EXTERNAL is diluted with one or two parts of water, applied as needed. INTERNAL use 3-10 drops. TAKE INTERNALLY WITH CARE STATUS : W/C
From SPECIFIC INDICATIONS FOR HERBS IN GENERAL USE Third edition Michael Moore:
ARNICA Topical in arthritis. Bruises (topical). Muscular pain from strain and overexertion; strains; (externally). As a gargle with Hamamelis for obstinate sore throat.
ARNICA SALVE
Arnica flowers, stems, leaves.. ..........5 ounces
Alcohol .......... ....................... ...........3 ounces
Olive Oil ........ ....................... ...........35 ounces
Beeswax......... ....................... ...........7 ounces
Grind and sift the Arnica herb (roots will not work). Mix the alcohol with the herb in a stainless steel bowl with a lid, cover and let stand for at least 2-3 hours. Blend the moist herb with olive oil in a hearty blender (Oster at high speed or Vitamix at slow speed) until the container gets warm. Filter through muslin, squeezing the marc as well as possible, and heat the oil slowly in the top of a double boiler. Chop and add the beewsax, continuing the low heat until the beeswax has melted. Pour into containers. If you wish Arnica steeped oil, use without the beeswax.
"TRAUMA TINCTURE"
Hypericum (fresh plant tincture).....3 parts
Calendula (fresh flower tincture)......2 parts
Arnica (fresh plant tincture) ............1 part
Make by mixing tinctures, or if fortunate in timing, from the fresh plants, using the volumes of compressed herbs for the parts. Useful in acute conditions, such as sprains, contusions, hyperextensions and muscular-skeletal trauma. It should be applied topically and taken internally, (10-20 drops) both modalities every two hours for three or four rounds. Taken internally it will also help for faintness and light-headedness resulting from parasympathetic or vagus discharge caused by physical manipulation or trauma.
CHAC SALVE (Calendula, Hypericum, Arnica, Cajeput)
2 ounces ........Calendula Flowers
2 ounces ........Arnica Herb
2 ounces ........ethanol
24 ounces ......Olive Oil
6 ounce ..........Hypericum Oil
1/2 ounce .......Cajeput Oil
5 ounces ........Beeswax
Make a 1:6 steeped oil with the Calendula and Arnica (as usual), add the Hypericum Oil (made from the fresh flowers), heat slowly, dissolve the beeswax, add the Cajeput (actually Tea Tree Oil, but much cheaper by the older name), and pour into tins. Can also be called OSFA Salve (One Size Fits All) or Rescue Grease or Limbaugh Leech.
MUSCLE BALM
Poplar Bud Oil (steeped) ....... ...........2 ounces
Arnica Oil (steeped)............... ...........2 ounces
Hypericum Oil (steeped) ....... ...........2 ounces
Oil of Wintergreen................. ...........30 drops
Olive Oil ........ ....................... ...........6 ounces
A Topical oil, used as an analgesic, counterirritant, and anti-inflammatory: 30-60 drops rubbed into the area aids dispersal and resolution of exudates. It is too strong to use “straight” as a true massage oil. Instead, apply the muscle balm and then use a normal massage oil over the area,
SORE THROAT GARGLE
4 parts Witch Hazel Distilled Extract
1 part Arnica Tincture
For protracted sore throat, gargle slowly and spit out. Meant to stimulate macrophage response. For tonsillitis, alternate with Ceanothus tea.
Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course
https://www.swsbm.com/school/
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