Arnica is a well-known, famous plant for its medicinal properties. While many people are more familiar with its external healing benefits—such as arnica ointment, which has long been used effectively to treat bruises, sprains, and contusions—properly prepared and used arnica tea is also highly effective, particularly for pain relief. In this article, you’ll learn how to consume arnica tea safely and discover arnica tea benefits.
How to Identify Arnica?
Arnica (Arnica) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. There are about 30 species, but Arnica montana is the most commonly used for medicinal purposes. You can distinguish this flowering plant by its bright yellow-orange blooms, resembling echinacea or chamomile flowers. Arnica predominantly grows in mountainous regions, especially in Central and Southern Europe, but it is also widespread in North America. Naturally, it grows in meadows, forests, and mountain slopes, where fresh air and a cool climate provide ideal growing conditions.
The stem is upright, reaching a 30–60 cm height, slightly branched, and covered with fine hairs. The leaves are basal, elongated, and egg-shaped. The flowers are on the top of the stem and lateral branches. Arnica blooms from June to August. The flowers have a strong, distinctive aroma, so people use this property in medicine and cosmetics.
Interestingly, while folk medicine used arnica for medicinal purposes in Europe for hundreds of years, it is considered an unsafe medicinal plant in America. In some countries, wild-growing arnica is listed in the Red Data Book, meaning it is protected and cannot be picked from the wild. If you wish to use it, you should grow it yourself.
What Is Arnica Tea Made From?
You can prepare arnica tea from the flowers of this plant, which contain a wealth of active compounds. The flowers are considered the most valuable part of the plant because they are rich in flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, carotenoids, and other biologically active substances. One particularly important and highly regarded active compound in arnica is arnicin, which helps reduce inflammation and promotes faster wound healing. These compounds give arnica tea its medicinal properties, help strengthen the immune system, and improve overall well-being.
How to Harvest and Dry Arnica for Medicinal Use
People usually harvest arnica flowers at the beginning of the blooming period. At this stage, they contain the highest concentration of biologically active components and serve as a suitable material for medicinal purposes. When collecting the flowers, it is essential not to damage the roots or surrounding vegetation. You should not pull the plant from the ground, allowing it to grow and reproduce. Collect only the flowers, which you can carefully snip with scissors or pick by hand. Harvest the flowers in the morning after the dew has evaporated.
Once you collect the flowers, dry them properly to preserve their beneficial properties. Keep drying in a dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, as the sun can demolish valuable compounds. The flowers are best dried on a mesh screen or a sheet of paper, ensuring they do not touch other objects, which could cause mold to develop.
Nowadays, the most convenient method to dry arnica is using a dryer. Set a temperature of 60°C (140°F) and successfully dry the arnica flowers.
Properly dried arnica flowers are orange-gray, have a faint aroma, and taste bitter and slightly astringent. They become very brittle, which you can easily crumble. You may store dried arnica flowers in glass jars or natural fabric bags (such as linen or cotton) in a dry, cool place, protected from direct sunlight. When stored correctly, the medicinal material remains suitable for up to two years.
Arnica Tea Benefits
People use arnica externally and internally to improve health, due to its widely known medicinal properties. This plant possesses unique qualities that help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and accelerate healing. When consumed internally, arnica tea offers several health-enhancing benefits:
Immune System Support: Arnica flowers are rich in flavonoids and essential oils that help strengthen the immune system. This is particularly important during the colder months when our bodies are more susceptible to infections.
Reduction of Inflammation: Arnica tea has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and pain. Arnica tea benefits joint conditions like arthritis. It reduces inflammation and eases discomfort.
Digestive Health: Arnica tea may also support digestive health. It has mild laxative effects that can help alleviate constipation and promote healthy bowel function.
Stress and Fatigue Relief: Arnica tea has a calming effect on the nervous system. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, promote better sleep, and improve overall well-being.
Treatment of Varicose Veins and Hemorrhoids: Arnica effectively treats varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The lactones and hyaluronic acid in arnica have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anticoagulant properties. These features may reduce pain, swelling, and discomfort associated with enlarged veins.
Skin Health: Arnica flowers also have skin-healing properties. Using it externally or drinking it, arnica tea benefits by reducing skin inflammation and swelling, promoting faster healing of wounds and bruises, and improving skin health overall.
Important Note: Arnica tea for internal use should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Arnica Tea Benefits for External Use
While patients recognize arnica ointment for external applications, arnica tea is an equally effective remedy for treating ailments. When used externally as compresses, arnica tea benefits from numerous offers:
Wound Healing: Arnica possesses potent anti-inflammatory and healing properties that help reduce the production of inflammation-causing substances such as prostaglandins and cytokines. These properties are beneficial for treating skin wounds, scratches, cuts, and abrasions.
Reduction of Bruising: Arnica contains lactones, helenalin, and hyaluronic acid, which have anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. These compounds help diminish the purplish discoloration of the skin and alleviate pain from bruises, sprains, and contusions.
Relief of Joint Pain: Arnica is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis. The potent anti-inflammatory effects of helenalin help block proteins responsible for chronic joint inflammation, providing relief from joint pain and stiffness.
Post-Surgical Pain Reduction: Arnica’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and tissue pain following surgery, while its anticoagulant effects minimize bruising around scars. However, it is essential to note that arnica tea compresses should only be used under a doctor’s supervision and only after surgical wounds have fully healed.
Relief of Tooth Pain and Gum Inflammation: Arnica tea can be used as a mouth rinse to treat oral inflammations, helping to alleviate tooth pain and reduce gum swelling.
Prevention of Hair Loss: Arnica is a common ingredient in natural hair care products. Arnica tea benefits as a natural conditioner to strengthen hair, stimulate growth, and reduce hair loss.
When using arnica tea externally, always perform a patch test to ensure no allergic reactions occur, and consult with a healthcare professional for proper usage guidelines.
How to Prepare Arnica Tea?
These tea compresses are excellent for external use on bruises, abrasions, contusions, or hematomas. Arnica tea benefits as a gargle to relieve sore throat or tooth pain.
IMPORTANT!
Before consuming arnica tea internally, it is essential to consult a doctor or pharmacist, as it contains very potent active compounds. Improper use or consuming excessive amounts can lead to serious side effects such as nausea, tremors, and irregular heartbeat, and large doses can be fatal.
Below we suggest the recipe for arnica tea suitable for external use. For the correct dosage for internal consumption, please consult a specialist.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp dried arnica flowers
- 250 ml boiling water
Preparation: Pour boiling water over the dried arnica flowers, cover, and steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the tea.
Usage: Soak a compress in the warm tea and apply it to the affected area. Use 2–3 times per day.
Important:
- Do not apply arnica tea to open or bleeding wounds.
- Avoid contact with eyes.
Possible Side Effects of Arnica Tea
While arnica tea offers many health benefits, it is crucial to be aware of it. This plant can also cause side effects if misused or in excessive amounts. The potential side effects include:
Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may be allergic to arnica, resulting in rashes, itching, or skin irritation. If you notice any of these symptoms, discontinue the tea immediately.
Digestive Issues: When consumed internally, arnica tea may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Low Blood Pressure: Arnica can affect blood pressure, so individuals with low blood pressure should use this tea carefully.
Heart or Liver Conditions: People with heart or liver conditions should never consume arnica tea internally. It is also essential to consult a doctor before using it externally if you have these conditions.
Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: Women during pregnancy or breastfeeding should avoid arnica internally. For external use, consult a healthcare provider to assess the potential effects.
While arnica tea is a valuable and effective natural remedy, people should use it responsibly and strictly according to recommendations. The safest form for internal use is homeopathic arnica preparations. Arnica tea is best suited for external compresses unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.
Sources:
- https://www.tuasaude.com/en/arnica/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-arnica-89542
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/arnica
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501828/
Associative photos © Canva.
