Arnica

montana
one of the best-known homeopathic remedies
for bruising has a deeper significance,
writes Marysia Kratimenos

A
rnica montana is one of the best- their veins. They develop abnormalities obtained by WWF.
known homeopathic remedies. in the skeleton, impaired growth and Responsible companies have attempt-
It has been used for several trials skin rashes. ed to farm arnica to cater for the demand,
to demonstrate the effect of homeopathic but it is a tricky plant to cultivate so their
remedies on bruising and trauma. Indeed Arnica – the plant results have been mixed. It loves the
some plastic surgeons swear by it for Arnica montana is an alpine plant, grow- harshness of its natural habitat and this
reducing bruising after cosmetic surgery. ing in nutrient-poor soil. It can poten- is very challenging to reproduce com-
Many people are “converted” to the tially reach a height of up to 60cm, but mercially. Its inborn need to survive has
homeopathic cause after seeing spec- this is unusual given the harsh conditions led to cross-breeding in the wild.
tacular results with this humble herb. at high altitudes. It grows in meadows
Arnica montana belongs to the Compo- up to 3,000 metres above sea level, Herbal use
sitae family, in other words it is a rela- where it is exposed to strong sunlight. For centuries arnica montana has been
tive of the common daisy. Several of this The higher the altitude, the more aro- used herbally for bruising and sprains.
family of plants are used homeopathi- matic the plant will become. Generations of Swiss mountain
cally and herbally – Calendula, Chamo- It is found throughout Europe, but guides chewed arnica leaves to prevent
milla, Echinacea, Millefolium (yarrow), nowadays it is more common to see fatigue induced by climbing. The dried
Solidago (golden rod) and Taraxacum hybrids of Arnica rather than the pure leaves were used as a substitute for
(dandelion). The star shaped flowers of species growing wild. The natural habitat tobacco, hence its common name of
this botanical family are familiar to us all has been encroached upon by agricul- mountain tobacco. The dried flowers
as sunflowers and ornamental daisies. ture. Arnica cannot grow in areas where promote sneezing, so it was also known
Other members of the Compositae family fertiliser has been used and aerial fertil- as snuff plant. Fall kraut, fall herb and
include food crops such as lettuce, chicory, isation has had a huge, negative impact wound herb, other eponyms, demon-
globe artichoke and guayule – a source on the wild population in the Voges strate the age-old use for the effects of
of hypoallergenic latex. mountains of France. Arnica grows best trauma. The flowers are used as a com-
The plants are rich in inulin, a com- in moist, peaty siliceous soils and chalk press for sprains and bruises. The bright
pound between sugar and starch that the is harmful even in small quantities. yellow flowers glisten in the sunshine
plants store in their underground organs Arnica is in great demand herbally and can resemble the eyes of a wolf from
as a source of energy. It is used as a natural and homeopathically, which has led to a distance, hence the name Wolfesgelega,
sweetener for diabetics. The Compositae over-harvesting. The World Wildlife Fund wolf’s eye in German. Leopard’s bane
contain selenium and arnica ash is rich (WWF) with other conservation agen- is a reference to its wild beauty and
in manganese. Both selenium and man- cies has drawn attention to this issue, elegance, and independent spirit.
ganese are powerful anti-oxidants in the and thankfully many countries have The root contains essential oils which
human body and in addition manganese responded by introducing legislation to are powerful anti–inflammatory agents.
is an essential element needed for healthy protect the species. A license is required The ski resorts are well-versed in the
bones, wound-healing, and the meta- to collect the plant in many European benefits of arnica – massages and body
bolism of proteins, cholesterol and carbo- countries, but unfortunately this is almost wraps using arnica are readily available
hydrates. It may well be that it is this impossible to police so the temptation in many, and I was highly amused to
rich source of manganese that facilitates to make money has taken precedence see a Hotel Arnica in Madonna di Cam-
healing, acting in combination with the over the long-term maintenance of natural piglio in the Italian Dolomites!
other plant chemicals. Manganese levels stock. Only Spain lacks prohibitive laws Herbally the plant has been used for
affect the levels of iron, magnesium and regarding arnica collection, yet 1,000 to traumatic injuries involving bruising,
calcium in the body. Manganese defic- 3,000 kg of wild arnica was imported and as a cardiac tonic for weak and
iency is rarely seen (or recognised) except into Germany from Romania in the weary hearts. It is also used homeo-
in individuals fed artificially through period 1989 to 1999 according to figures pathically to support the heart, and for

8 H&H Winter 2006/2007

 may see the deeper constitutional picture
Photo courtesy of Marysia Kratimenos

emerge. Arnica is not just a remedy for

the bruised body; it is a remedy of the
bruised soul. As Massimo Mangialavori
so eloquently phrased it, it is a remedy
for “someone who doesn’t forget pains”.
Indeed the Arnica constitution is one
who attracts pain on every level, just as
the Staphysagria woman attracts the
wife-beater and the Natrum muriaticum
girl constantly falls in love with unavail-
able men. There is a perverse logic to it
all. In repeating our personal histories,
we are allowing life to act homeopath-
ically to heal our souls. The “why does
this always happen to me?” is the first
step towards insight and life changes.
In the playground we are constantly
told that “sticks and stones may break
my bones, but words will never hurt
me”. Maybe it is this that causes the
Arnica state! Words do have a profound,
negative effect on the psyche and Arnica
patients suffer with bruised feelings and
injured pride, as well as the physical
effects of trauma. Like the plant itself,
they are victims of the bullies and will
often say they’ve been “battered and
beaten by life”.
In a desperate attempt to “toughen
up” and avoid the bullies, children often
mask their physical and emotional
injuries – “I’m okay, it didn’t really hurt”.
Like the down-trodden daisy they bounce
back, stronger, or apparently stronger,
than ever. They take the adage “what
Nowadays it is more likely to see hybrids of arnica growing wild
doesn’t kill you, strengthens you” to the
ultimate conclusion. The façade of cop-
weakness and weariness in the elderly. washed carefully before the remedy can ing relies heavily on masking the pain,
Arnica is also used to stimulate the be prepared. convincing themselves and others that
kidneys, but can be quite toxic in herbal Arnica montana is used as a trauma they’ve survived. That they are tough.
solutions. The ingestion of large quanti- remedy, a remedy for bruising injuries, That they can cope with the bullies.
ties can cause irritation to the gut; a temp- but its actions are more widespread than Hence the homeopathic rubric “fears
orary stimulation is followed by a depres- that. As the US homeopathic physician, approach”. Using the playground an-
sion of the circulation, respiration and James Tyler Kent (1849-1916), stated, alogy, will the attentions of teacher help
temperature. Violent headaches ensue, “It is a wonderful remedy, a misunder- their situation, or will the bullies reek
the pupils dilate and then muscular par- stood remedy, a misused remedy, because vengeance for “telling tales”? Despite
alysis sets in. The whole nervous system it is almost limited to bruises.” Many the anti–bullying policies in place in
is paralysed and death results. Arnica of the homeopathic trials have relied schools, most victims fear complaining
should be used judiciously on the skin on Arnica’s ability to heal bruising, to adults, admitting they are victims,
as it can cause nasty irritating rashes. ignoring the bigger remedy picture and that they can’t cope with “the rough and
emotional state. Homeopathic remedies tumble” of life. And all too often the
Homeopathic use aim to heal at a deeper level than the victim is accused or even blamed. The
Samuel Hahnemann first potentised superficial expression of the body’s only rational coping mechanism is to
Arnica montana, recognising its power- imbalance. They are directed at the pretend they are strong. “Mind over
ful actions and its potential toxicity. In disease felt on every level, not the mere matter” translates as “I don’t mind and
homeopathy today it is used both herb- disease – a label given to the physical you don’t matter”. Anything else would
ally in the forms of creams and tinctures disturbance. In some subtle way they betray their weakness and make them
as well as in the potentised form. allow the person to recognise their feel a failure. Arnica’s compensation is
The whole plant is used for the hom- behaviour patterns, their “delusions”, fuelled by a need to overcome this sense
eopathic remedy. The plant is often and their prejudicial way of viewing the of failure. They learn to do life alone,
infested with small insects, betraying its world and take action to change things. relying totally on themselves and hence
role as a victim. Fungi grow as parasites Although Arnica is most commonly can appear haughty and intolerant of
on the leaves. The plants have to be used as an acute emergency remedy, one others in later life.

Winter 2006/2007 H&H 9

 ing nightmares, a post–traumatic stress
Library photo posed by models: www.JohnBirdsall.co.uk

syndrome may develop. Unlike the

Aconite state, where the fear engulfs the
person constantly, with Arnica the
memories only occur when the conscious
mind is unable to suppress the feelings,
as in sleep.
It is often the response to pain caused
by an accident that guides the practi-
tioner to the constitutional Arnica pic-
ture. In one case a woman with a minor
head injury was prescribed Arnica on
the basis of the “Don’t fuss, I’m fine”
response to the injury. The patient
reported back that the fibromyalgia that
had plagued her for years had vanished.
She said she used to wake up feeling
as if she’d gone ten rounds with Mike
Tyson before the Arnica! And more
importantly, she became more aware of
her tendency to “beat herself up” when-
ever things didn’t work out. She had
viewed her arthritis as a sign of personal
failure, a weakness. Following the pre-
scription, she found she was more able
to state the limitations of her condition,
and give herself the rest she so desper-
ately needed. She no longer feared
being regarded as weak and feeble, and
her attitude to her disease changed
dramatically. She was able to ask for
much needed help.
A deeper understanding of Arnica
is emerging, thanks to the pioneering
work of George Vithoulkas, Massimo
Mangialavori and Rajan Sankaran
to mention but a few. Although it seemed
like the perfect remedy to “prove” that
homeopathy works to our critics, Arnica
has not yet proved its effectiveness in
clinical trials. It could be that poor trial
design is to blame because the results
go against everything that 200 years of
homeopathic practice tell us. However
Despite schools’ anti-bullying policies most victims fear complaining
opponents of homeopathy have used this
as a stick to beat us. But Arnica is
However, this response often leads as irritability. The Arnica person can be Arnica. It has shown its constitutional
to the child ending up as the physical or very snappy indeed, refusing to be exam- picture as the victim of the bullies.
emotional punch-bag of the aggressor. ined, declaring themselves to be well Its reputation has been bruised, battered
With no one to listen and protect, their when it is perfectly obvious they need by the sceptics. The “it can’t work, so
justified anger at the situation becomes medical attention. They are averse to it does not work” approach to homeo-
channelled into physical activity. Many consolation and attention as they fear pathy has led to a bruised, battered
Arnica patients use vigorous exercise they might be hurt yet again. homeopathic community. But Arnica is
to defuse anger and aggression, the The pain is vividly recalled, as is the a daisy – it will bounce back, as will
physical pain has an almost cleansing accident or incident. There may be terrify- homeopathy.
effect on their mood. In fact many admit
to being accident-prone. They have a
tendency to “prove” themselves by going
further, working harder, indulging in
Marysia Kratimenos MB BS FRCS(Ed) FFHom is on the staff of the RLHH where
dangerous sports and going beyond the
limits of endurance without complaint: she is involved in stress clinics, general medicine, paediatrics and neurolinguistic
they take pride in their strength. programming. She also teaches on the MFHom course and has a private practice.
Their anger is intense and Arnica is
listed under ailments from anger, as well

10 H&H Winter 2006/2007