Arnica

(Arnica montana)

From Angelika’s Diary:

            There are certainly times that I can understand why the physicians are gaining ground in popularity.  I met a woman at a crossroads faire, and found that although she had some effective treatments, she really didn’t know what she was talking about.  I fear that some day, she will be accused of witchcraft, and not even know that she’s simply ignorant.

            Working with the Archers of Ravenwood, I learned quickly to have a large amount of arnica salve on hand, for a more bruised group of people I’ve never met.  You would think it was a badge of honor for a new archer to earn an “archer’s tattoo”!  What it means is that you’re too new to shooting to understand how to get the rest of your arm out of the way of being hit by a string traveling fast enough to propel an arrow hundreds of yards, and immediately, a large welt rises, followed shortly thereafter by most colorful bruising.  It pains me to look upon it, and yet daily, I’m called to ease the sting and speed the healing.

            One day the woman I talked about was visiting, and upon being presented with the arm of yet another brave, but forgetful (for he’d forgotten his armguard) warrior, she brought out a butter of her own that she called Toad Ointment to aid the healing of the bruise.  I asked her how she made it, and she described the barbaric ritual of taking four good-sized toads, boiling them in a pot of water and simmering it down to half a pint, then adding a pound of butter, and a goodly amount of arnica tincture.  While she was describing this, I used my own salve on the lad and sent him on his way, much relieved that the sting had disappeared so quickly.  The woman looked rather surprised, and asked what I did differently that it would work so much faster than what she made.  I explained that if one skipped the toads and the butter, there’s much less to work through to get to the skin.  I’m afraid she didn’t appreciate my criticism of her methods, and she took her leave rather quickly after that.  Toad ointment!  Can you imagine such a thing?

Arnica can be a formidable opponent in fighting off bruises, muscle aches and pains, sprains, and for archers, the dreaded bow rash.  There are approximately 28 varieties of Arnica, all, of course, from the daisy family, but not all having the same medicinal effects.  Arnica montana plants have bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom between June and August. Other names for the plant are leopard's bane, mountain arnica, mountain tobacco and mountain daisy.

Arnica stimulates blood circulation, and can raise blood pressure, particularly in the coronary arteries. Used externally only, it contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that reduce pain and swelling, improving and speeding wound healing. It works by stimulating white blood cell activity, which digests congested blood, and disperses trapped, disorganized fluids from bumped and bruised tissue, joints and muscles.  Using the flowers, hundreds of preparations are made from the plant, particularly in Germany.  Most useful for our purposes is a preparation of the arnica flower in a gel or cream form. Two methods of preparation are listed below. Arnica is on the list of strictly protected plants, and is threatened with extinction. Please obtain either the dried flowers or pre-prepared formulas from reputable dealers.

While arnica, which was initially discovered by goat herders, who saw their charges eating the plants when they’d been injured, is good for goats and cows, it’s not good to use internally for humans.  For us, it can cause vomiting, weakness, increased heart rate and nervous disturbances!

Preparations:

Angelika’s Salve:  Using a cold pressed oil (made by covering the herb with a good olive oil, keeping it out of the light, and shaking the jar twice daily for four months before straining out the solid bits), add enough solidifiers (beeswax, butters, fats) to make a good salve.  (I’ve found that adding a little tea tree oil – not known in Angelika’s time, of course – will make the salve work even faster.)

Tincture: Prepare the tincture ahead of time by placing 4 ounces of the dried flowers in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Add two cups 100 proof vodka or everclear, and leave in there for 2 weeks, shaking the jar occasionally. At the end of that time, strain the mixture through a cloth into a brown glass bottle, and keep it tightly closed. Tinctures are useful when you don't have time to heat water to create compresses. Mix 15 drops of the tincture with a cup of water, soak a cloth in it and place it on the effected area for 2 minutes. Don't let arnica sit on the skin for too long.

Cream/Gel: This is a blend of oil, beeswax and water. You can make your own (see below) or purchase an unscented, water based cream. Add 2 ounces of arnica flowers to a cup of the cream, mix well and simmer in the top of a double boiler for 30 minutes. Strain before it cools into a container with a tight lid.

To make your own cream, melt 2 ounces of beeswax in a double boiler. Add 1 cup olive oil or other vegetable oil and blend. Add 2 ounces of the herb and mix well. For a lighter cream, add a little water. Simmer for 20 minutes, mixing well. As a preservative, add a drop of tincture of benzoin. Strain through a cloth into sterilized jars.