Homeopathic Pharmacology of Arnica Montana

        

        Arnica montana is a yellow flowering plant found on the moist, grassy upland meadows in the hills and mountains of Northern and Central Europe. It is also found sparsely in the Northwestern United States. Since the 16th century, Arnica montana has been used by the locals to relieve muscle aches and bruises. It contains a variety of terpenoids. 

        In Homeopathy, Arnica montana is used primarily to treat muscle injuries such as sprains, strains, and blunt trauma but it is also used to treat many diseases. Ussher notes that the local use of Arnica produced an extraordinary growth of hair on a limb. This suggested the use of oil mixed with Arn. 1x in a case of baldness, which was followed with marked success. There are several studies that advocate the potential efficacy of homeopathic preparation of Arnica montana in ameliorating the ill effects of high altitude exposure. Let's learn about its physiological action.

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Skin:

        Arnica montana produces vesicular eruption and red inflamed pustules resembling boils. In susceptible individuals, Arnica produced violent erysipelatous inflammation on its local application. 

Venous system:

        In large doses, Arnica montana arrests the secretory power of venous capillaries and produces a state similar to what we find in violent contusions. But when given in medicinal doses, it acts upon these venous capillaries, stimulating their absorbent power. Hence it becomes a great remedy in all cases of concussion, sprain, or other sufferings from mechanical violence. Arnica also causes venous hemorrhages from the nose, lungs, and hemorrhoidal vessels.

Gastrointestinal system:

        In large doses, Arnica montana produces heat in the fauces, increases the flow of saliva, and it irritates the stomach causing nausea and vomiting. It also irritates the bowels causing choleraic diarrhea, collapse, and death. Ingestion of tea prepared from Arnica montana flowers can result in gastroenteritis.

Muscular system:

        Arnica montana has a specific action upon the muscles, especially upon their fasciae and tendons, and it produces irritation and myalgia. Arnica also acts on the motor nerves producing paresis of the muscular system.

Serous membranes:

        By acting upon the venous capillaries, Arnica causes stagnation and inflammation of the serous membranes, which soon passes on to effusion into the cavities. Hence it is useful to produce absorption in dropsical effusions, effusions of serum that occur after falls, blows, extravasations of blood, etc.

Circulation:

        In medicinal doses, Arnica increases the action of the heart and arteries, and the frequency of respiration, at the same time elevating the temperature of the skin, with an increase of all the secretions. Arnica montana also has considerably reduced histamine-induced edema by inhibiting the action of histamine and increasing vascular permeability.