Arnica Heartleaf

Arnica promotes healing; is antimicrobial and antiseptic.

Arnica Heartleaf in Reds & Blues – repeat pattern. © LYON 2025

I’ve used Arnica for years – both in salve and homeopathic forms. It works great, especially for some forms of artritis (which I like to call arth-wrong-iss) and carpel tunnel.

Except it doesn’t seem to work for a deep pain in my hip that no one can quite figure out why it hurts, as there is no deterioration of the bone itself. Ah well.

Stumbling around, feeling like I’m being stabbed with every move of that leg is the least of life’s problems right now. Such a tumultuous time – I wish I could slather thick layers of Arnica all over the planet and make it Better.

In any case, here’s what my handy-dandy healing plant book says about it, in case you’re curious:

Arnica promotes healing; is antimicrobial and antiseptic.

You can use it for strains, sprains, swelling, carpel tunnel, muscle soreness. The flowers (external use) reduce inflammation and bruising, and reduces pain.

Arnica salve, oil, or poultice can relieve frostbite and chilblains, and can relieve arthritis; it warms, stimulates blood flow.

If you grow the plant, harvest only leaves and stems – never the rhizome or roots, as that will destroy the plant and will not grow back next season.

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