Arnica Montana
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Mountain Tobacco, Leopard's Bane, Wolf's Bane
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A Brief History of Arnica Arnica is a popular homeopathic plant, and it's been so for quite some time. The flower, which falls under the Asteraceae family (daisy, sunflower), is native to most of Europe and parts of North America and Asia (3).
- "The state of homeopathic medicine in Britain 1987 is the title of the opening address David Spence gave at the British Homeopathic Congress in Liverpool. He saw the greatest concern to be the continuing attempts by Health Authorities to cut down on homeopathic services, despite ever increasing demand and relentlessly lengthening waiting times in the outpatient departments" - S.T. Land, Faculty of Homeopathy, 2007 (1) |
The name "Arnica" was not used until it first appeared in 1533 by the editor of St. Hildegard's "Physica". It has been speculated that the word was derived from the Greek word "Ptarmika", which means "something that causes sneezing" (2). Because it is native to much of Europe and North America, its use is widespread throughout European history and carries a variety of nicknames. The German's refer to it as "fallkraut" (4), the Spanish as "betónica de los montes", "tobaco de montana", or "talpica" (2), and the Native Americans as "mountain tobacco" or "leopard's bane" (5)
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Throughout history, the plant has most commonly been fashioned into an ointment, cream, salve, tincture, or liniment, to be used externally for pain, swelling and inflammation, muscle aches, sprains, bruises, and even to heal wounds (2) (6). Occasionally it would be taken internally as a diuretic and stimulant, or to cause perspiration (5). It is also believed that European shepherds and Native Americans would smoke the flowers - hence the name "mountain tobacco" - although the benefits of this are unclear.
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The Flower of the Mountain Known as "mountain tobacco" to the Native Americans, and "betónica de los montes" and "tobaco de montana" to the Spanish, A. montana is a perennial plant that grows best at higher altitudes. It is also indigenous to the hills and mountains of northern Asia and Siberia (2). |
The current practices of using Arnica montana familiar to popular culture are mostly on-point. However, there are some controversial aspects that we will address in the following segment. While A. montana's external uses are vast, there are speculative reasons why this herb should be ingested with caution.
The Health Benefits of Arnica
Anti-inflammatory
On a molecular level, A. montana contains an abundant amount of bioactive compounds. These compounds, known as sesquiterpene lactones (a class of chemical compounds found in many plants), have a unique process compared to "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, i.e. indomethacin and acetyl salicylic acid" (2). For example, they can reduce inflammation rapidly because they are capable of passing through the skin with ease (7).
The actual chemical process that occurs is complicated. Basically, the bioactive compounds found in A. montana inhibit cell proteins that cause inflammation and pain, while simultaneously activating other cell proteins that increase circulation (7). And because these compounds are so readily absorbed into the skin, they can act more quickly and effectively.
One of the chemicals responsible for this is called helenalin. Helenalin is extremely toxic to livestock and typically results in death (8). It can also cause an allergic reaction to humans when applied topically, even more so if taken orally. We will get more into that later.
In an experiment by Ana Paula Kawakami, Cesar Sato, Thayna Neves Cardoso and Leoni Villano Bonamin, adult male Wistar rats were injected with a solution of A. montana. The results demonstrated an increase in anti-inflammatory activity and an increased diameter of lymphatic vessels (9).
Conclusion:
These studies show that the herb A. montana exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
The actual chemical process that occurs is complicated. Basically, the bioactive compounds found in A. montana inhibit cell proteins that cause inflammation and pain, while simultaneously activating other cell proteins that increase circulation (7). And because these compounds are so readily absorbed into the skin, they can act more quickly and effectively.
One of the chemicals responsible for this is called helenalin. Helenalin is extremely toxic to livestock and typically results in death (8). It can also cause an allergic reaction to humans when applied topically, even more so if taken orally. We will get more into that later.
In an experiment by Ana Paula Kawakami, Cesar Sato, Thayna Neves Cardoso and Leoni Villano Bonamin, adult male Wistar rats were injected with a solution of A. montana. The results demonstrated an increase in anti-inflammatory activity and an increased diameter of lymphatic vessels (9).
Conclusion:
These studies show that the herb A. montana exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
Antimicrobial Activity
In 2000 a study was performed to record the anti-microbial properties of Arnica. The study also included propolis, which is a bee byproduct used to make beeswax.
- "the aim here was to evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial activity, inhibition of adherence of mutans streptococci and inhibition of formation of water-insoluble glucan by Arnica and propolis extracts." (10)
To determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of Arnica, the researchers measured and examined the inhibition of bacterial growth in the experiment.
- "The Arnica extract showed slight inhibition of the adherence of the growing cells (19% for Strep. mutans and 15% for Strep. sobrinus) and of water-insoluble glucan formation (29%)" (10).
The research showed that the propolis solution exhibited much greater antimicrobial properties than the Arnica solution. A. montana exhibited only slight antimicrobial properties (10).
Conclusion:
Because of the sesquiterpene lactones derived from A. montana, the plant does prove to have minimal antimicrobial properties, but only a fraction of the strength compared to that found in propolis (10) (11).
Conclusion:
Because of the sesquiterpene lactones derived from A. montana, the plant does prove to have minimal antimicrobial properties, but only a fraction of the strength compared to that found in propolis (10) (11).
Improves Circulation
Sesquiterpene lactones make another appearance:
"Arnica montana is reported to relieve symptoms of diseases relating to the restricted blood flow to nerve endings and the limbs of patients, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, which includes fibromyalgia, toxic neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy." - (2)
Conclusion:
The sesquiterpene lactones in A. montana have been found to correct blood flow restrictions.
The sesquiterpene lactones in A. montana have been found to correct blood flow restrictions.
Increases RESPIRATION
Previously mentioned was that Arnica helps improve blood flow restrictions.
Another study showed that Arnica when combined with Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, and Baptisia tinctoria, can be used to treat upper respiratory infections (13).
This could be, again, because of the concentration of sesquiterpene lactones found in the herb.
Another study showed that Arnica when combined with Echinacea angustifolia, Eupatorium perfoliatum, and Baptisia tinctoria, can be used to treat upper respiratory infections (13).
This could be, again, because of the concentration of sesquiterpene lactones found in the herb.
Natural Antioxidant
Research examining the "scavenging potential" of Arnica montana extract showed outstanding antioxidant properties (17).
Scavenging potential is a term that refers to measuring a chemical's capability of preventing oxidative damage caused to cells by free radicals. Also known as "free radical scavengers" (16).
In addition, the roots of A. montana have been found to contain thymol, which has been used as an antioxidant in food and beverages, also as a preservative, insecticidal agent, and fungicide (14) (15).
Conclusion:
Arnica has shown to contain impressive antioxidant qualities, potentially due to the chemical thymol.
Scavenging potential is a term that refers to measuring a chemical's capability of preventing oxidative damage caused to cells by free radicals. Also known as "free radical scavengers" (16).
In addition, the roots of A. montana have been found to contain thymol, which has been used as an antioxidant in food and beverages, also as a preservative, insecticidal agent, and fungicide (14) (15).
Conclusion:
Arnica has shown to contain impressive antioxidant qualities, potentially due to the chemical thymol.
Anti-OSTEOARTHRITIS
A study that researched different methods for treating osteoporosis found that A. montana, which provides a great source of flavonol aglycone glycoside, increased calcium absorption through a "chelation delivery system" when (A. montana) combined with a specific dose of calcium (18).
"A chelate is a chemical compound composed of a metal ion and a chelating agent. A chelating agent is a substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion. In other words, a chelating agent is a multidentate ligand." - http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/ (19)
The study also resulted in the creation of a United States patent (No. 5478579) by "Sawruk" (18).
"A chelate is a chemical compound composed of a metal ion and a chelating agent. A chelating agent is a substance whose molecules can form several bonds to a single metal ion. In other words, a chelating agent is a multidentate ligand." - http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/ (19)
The study also resulted in the creation of a United States patent (No. 5478579) by "Sawruk" (18).
Helenalin - A Toxic Cure
Information on the Side Effects of Arnica Montana
If you have ever read a book on medicinal herbs, and specifically about Arnica, you may have read that A. montana is not particularly safe to eat. This was (and, to a degree, still is) my original understanding of the herb.
Is Arnica toxic? The health benefits of A. montana are derived from sesquiterpene lactones, a class of chemical compounds commonly found in many plants throughout the world. Our research into the health benefits of Arnica montana led us to the chemical Helenalin.
Is Arnica toxic? The health benefits of A. montana are derived from sesquiterpene lactones, a class of chemical compounds commonly found in many plants throughout the world. Our research into the health benefits of Arnica montana led us to the chemical Helenalin.
What Is Helenalin?
Helenalin is also a sesquiterpene (20). It is reported all over the internet as being a toxic chemical. I spent hours of research to find the truth.
The studies that first brought this to my attention were focused on Arnica consumption by livestock, not humans.
Here is an example of some confusing information:
The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH), also known as TOXNET (Toxicology Data Network) has a detailed review on Helenalin. At first glance, it reports that the herb is toxic, with the first lines reading:
Human Health Effects - Human Toxicity Excerpts:
The studies that first brought this to my attention were focused on Arnica consumption by livestock, not humans.
Here is an example of some confusing information:
The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH), also known as TOXNET (Toxicology Data Network) has a detailed review on Helenalin. At first glance, it reports that the herb is toxic, with the first lines reading:
Human Health Effects - Human Toxicity Excerpts:
"INTENSELY POISONOUS, CAPABLE OF CAUSING PARALYSIS OF VOLUNTARY & CARDIAC MUSCULATURE & FATAL GASTROENTERITIS." - TOXNET (20)
However, if we continue to read the next lines of their Summary Report under Clinical Effects, nearly every example they give of poisoning is directed to animals, specifically livestock. Only a few bullet-points mention allergic reaction to humans.
They also don't include how severe the allergic reactions could or can be. Quoted from Line B:
They also don't include how severe the allergic reactions could or can be. Quoted from Line B:
"Toxic ingestions in humans are exceedingly rare" - TOXNET (20)
Only Toxic To Livestock?
As it turns out, humans have been ingesting Arnica for possibly thousands of years. Some cultures even smoked it (although there is a serious lack of research on the benefits of smoking Arnica).
Okay, so It poisons humans, but only enough to cause allergic reactions. So why has it been reported for over three decades that the herb is poisonous if ingested? Is Arnica safe?
Could it be that the earlier reports from the 70's and 80's were misinterpreted? Or perhaps we just didn't know as much about the chemical then as we do now?
This report from 1976 by Witzel DA, Ivie W, and Dollahit JW, suggests that:
Okay, so It poisons humans, but only enough to cause allergic reactions. So why has it been reported for over three decades that the herb is poisonous if ingested? Is Arnica safe?
Could it be that the earlier reports from the 70's and 80's were misinterpreted? Or perhaps we just didn't know as much about the chemical then as we do now?
This report from 1976 by Witzel DA, Ivie W, and Dollahit JW, suggests that:
"The oral median lethal dose of helenalin for 5 mammalian species was between 85 and 105 mg/kg." - pubmed.gov (21)
Subsequently, after this report another from 1980 suggests that 7 specific sesquiterpene lactones were considered toxic depending on their number of alkylating centers:
"The toxicity of a sesquiterpene lactone depends on the number of alkylating centers such as cyclopentenone, alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone, or hemiacetal moieties in the molecules." - pubmed.gov (22)
By 1983 and 1987, Elissalde MH Jr and Ivie GW were convinced that helenalin should be considered a poisonous chemical to livestock specifically:
"This phenomenon may have a significant role in the toxicity of some sesquiterpene lactones of poisonous plants when ingested by livestock." - pubmed.gov 1983 (23)
"These data indicate that sesquiterpene lactones containing an alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety are potent inhibitors of macrophage adenylate cyclase activity. This moiety may have a significant role in the toxicity of some sesquiterpene lactones in poisonous plants when ingested by livestock." - pubmed.gov 1987 (24)
Around the same years, helenalin was being tested as an anti-tumor chemical and examined for its effects on cancer. However, it was still considered to demonstrate cellular toxicity when taken at the doses required to be effective:
"Thus, microlenin may be a more likely therapeutic agent than helenalin which has demonstrated cellular toxicity." - pubmed.gov 1983 (25)
Helenalin And Liver Function
In 1988, a study conducted by the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University shows the clearest understanding of Helenalin toxicity on mammals, including humans. While their study involved immature male mice, they revealed something important:
"These studies suggest that the in vivo and in vitro toxicity of hymenoxon and helenalin is strongly dependent on hepatic glutathione levels, which hymenoxon and helenalin rapidly deplete at very low concentrations." - College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University 1988 (26)
What is Glutathione and why is it important? Here is the understanding as described by the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine:
"Glutathione plays a key role in the liver in detoxification reactions and in regulating the thiol-disulfide status of the cell..... Under conditions of oxidative stress, the liver exports oxidized glutathione into bile in a concentrative fashion, whereas under basal conditions, mainly reduced glutathione is exported into bile and blood." - Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine 1981 (27)
These two reports tells us that ingesting Helenalin depletes the body of glutathione, which is a key component in liver detoxification. Eventually, this may allow the function of the liver to fail.
Conclusion: Toxic to Mammals - Consume with Caution
Arnica contains a sesquiterpene called Helenalin. Helenalin is a known toxic substance to all mammals. It is toxic to mammals because it interferes with liver function and may lead to liver failure.
While it is specifically poisonous to livestock and smaller mammals, and cases of Arnica poisoning are exceedingly rare, it is still considered poisonous to humans because it interferes with liver function. If our liver fails, we cannot process toxins from our body. Our bodies become toxic and unbalanced, leading to potentially serious health conditions. If consumed, do so only at low doses and not over long periods of time. Consult your health physician before ingesting Arnica.
Conclusion: Toxic to Mammals - Consume with Caution
Arnica contains a sesquiterpene called Helenalin. Helenalin is a known toxic substance to all mammals. It is toxic to mammals because it interferes with liver function and may lead to liver failure.
While it is specifically poisonous to livestock and smaller mammals, and cases of Arnica poisoning are exceedingly rare, it is still considered poisonous to humans because it interferes with liver function. If our liver fails, we cannot process toxins from our body. Our bodies become toxic and unbalanced, leading to potentially serious health conditions. If consumed, do so only at low doses and not over long periods of time. Consult your health physician before ingesting Arnica.
Works Cited:
1) 20 years ago: the British Homeopathic Journal, October 1987. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17954390
2) Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28401567
3) Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=1
4) History of Arnica as a Medicinal Plant. http://www.arnica.com/about-arnica/history/arnicas-humble-beginnings/
5) Arnica. http://www.medicinehunter.com/arnica
6) Arnica. https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/arnica
7) Arnica and stinging nettle for treating burns - a self-experiment. http://www.complementarytherapiesinmedicine.com/article/S0965-2299(11)00107-5/fulltext
8) Helenalin. https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+3490
9) Inflammatory Process Modulation by Homeopathic Arnica montana 6CH: The Role of Individual Variation. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/917541/
10) In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and Arnica montana against oral pathogens. http://www.aobjournal.com/article/S0003-9969(99)00117-X/fulltext
11) Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709812/
12) Paradise L. Homeopathic pharmaceutical compositions, US 5795573A
13) Wagner H. Birkhauser Verlag Immunomodulatory agents from plants, 1999. https://books.google.com/books/about/Immunomodulatory_Agents_from_Plants.html?id=-b9sAAAAMAAJ
14) Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products-Arnica montana. European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products, veterinary medicinal evaluation unit, 1999.
15) Antioxidant actions of thymol, carvacrol, 6-gingerol, zingerone and hydroxytyrosol. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691584900334?via%3Dihub
16) Free radical scavengers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425280/
17) Antioxidant activity free radical-scavenging potential of Pithecellobium dulce Benth seed extracts. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2231253612220089
18) Sawruk S. Method for treatment of osteoporosis. 1995 U.S. Patent No. No. 5,478,579.
19) Chelates and Chelating Agents. http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/chelates/chelates.html
20) Helenalin. https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+3490
21) Mammalian toxicity of helenalin, the toxic principle of Helenium microcephalum CD (smallhead sneezeweed). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/937811
22) Toxicity of sesquiterpene lactones. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7394314
23) Considerations of the structure of sesquiterpene lactones on biological activity: influence of the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety on mast cell degranulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6195945
24) Inhibition of macrophage adenylate cyclase by the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety of sesquiterpene lactones from forage plants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3826835
25) Antitumor agents LXIII: the effects of microlenin on nucleic acid and protein syntheses of Ehrlich ascites cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6631681
26) Role of glutathione in the toxicity of the sesquiterpene lactones hymenoxon and helenalin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3343693
27) The importance and regulation of hepatic glutathione. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2596047/
2) Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28401567
3) Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=1
4) History of Arnica as a Medicinal Plant. http://www.arnica.com/about-arnica/history/arnicas-humble-beginnings/
5) Arnica. http://www.medicinehunter.com/arnica
6) Arnica. https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/arnica
7) Arnica and stinging nettle for treating burns - a self-experiment. http://www.complementarytherapiesinmedicine.com/article/S0965-2299(11)00107-5/fulltext
8) Helenalin. https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/r?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+3490
9) Inflammatory Process Modulation by Homeopathic Arnica montana 6CH: The Role of Individual Variation. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/917541/
10) In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and Arnica montana against oral pathogens. http://www.aobjournal.com/article/S0003-9969(99)00117-X/fulltext
11) Sesquiterpenoids Lactones: Benefits to Plants and People. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3709812/
12) Paradise L. Homeopathic pharmaceutical compositions, US 5795573A
13) Wagner H. Birkhauser Verlag Immunomodulatory agents from plants, 1999. https://books.google.com/books/about/Immunomodulatory_Agents_from_Plants.html?id=-b9sAAAAMAAJ
14) Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products-Arnica montana. European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products, veterinary medicinal evaluation unit, 1999.
15) Antioxidant actions of thymol, carvacrol, 6-gingerol, zingerone and hydroxytyrosol. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691584900334?via%3Dihub
16) Free radical scavengers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425280/
17) Antioxidant activity free radical-scavenging potential of Pithecellobium dulce Benth seed extracts. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2231253612220089
18) Sawruk S. Method for treatment of osteoporosis. 1995 U.S. Patent No. No. 5,478,579.
19) Chelates and Chelating Agents. http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/chelates/chelates.html
20) Helenalin. https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+3490
21) Mammalian toxicity of helenalin, the toxic principle of Helenium microcephalum CD (smallhead sneezeweed). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/937811
22) Toxicity of sesquiterpene lactones. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7394314
23) Considerations of the structure of sesquiterpene lactones on biological activity: influence of the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety on mast cell degranulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6195945
24) Inhibition of macrophage adenylate cyclase by the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety of sesquiterpene lactones from forage plants. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3826835
25) Antitumor agents LXIII: the effects of microlenin on nucleic acid and protein syntheses of Ehrlich ascites cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6631681
26) Role of glutathione in the toxicity of the sesquiterpene lactones hymenoxon and helenalin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3343693
27) The importance and regulation of hepatic glutathione. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2596047/