Arnica montana Characteristics

Study Notes

The dried flower heads of Arnica montana (Compositae family) have a calyx of pappus of bristles and characteristic non-glandular biseriate (bicellular) trichomes.
Arnica has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, mainly due to the bioactive compound helenalin, a sesquiterpene lactone.
Helenalin has strong anti-inflammatory properties, shown in lab studies.
Arnica preparations are used for bruises and swelling, having a vasodilator effect, increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Preparations should be used in small doses due to toxicity.

Aqueous infusion: pour boiling water over dried flowers, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes, then filter.
Tincture: made by infusing herbs in alcohol, leaving it to sit for a month.
Oil infusion: mix dried flowers with olive or almond oil, leaving it in the sun for a month.

Dried corollas of ligulate florets of Calendula officinalis (Asteraceae family) contain triterpenes as calendulin derivatives and flavonoids.
Calendula has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, used for healing wounds and bruises as a tincture (alcoholic solution) diluted with water.

Dried flower heads of Achillea millefolium (Asteraceae family) contain volatile oil, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, amino acid derivatives, fatty acids, and p-hydroxyphenethylamide.
Yarrow has febrifuge (induces sweating) and anti-inflammatory effects, used for fever, common cold, hay fever, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal tract discomfort.
Yarrow is applied to the skin to stop bleeding from hemorrhoids and for wound healing.

Dried stigmas and top of style of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae family) contain a red coloring matter (crocin), volatile oil (safranal), and picrocrocin bitter principle.
Saffron is used as a coloring agent, stimulant, and antispasmodic.

Adulteration occurs when a substance does not comply with official requirements stated in pharmacopeias.
Types of adulteration: sophistication (true adulteration), substitution (by inferior, morphologically similar substances), and admixture (mixing with other substances or parts).

Dried flowers of Lavendula officinalis (Labiatae family) contain volatile oil (mainly linalyl acetate and linalool).
Lavender is used as an aromatic stimulant, in perfumery, and in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Petals of Papaver rhoeas (Papaveraceae family) contain coloring matter: mecoyanin (gentiobioside of cyanidin) and delphinidin glucoside.
Papaver is used as a coloring agent.

Petals of Rosa gallica (Rosaceae family) contain volatile oil, gallic acid, and tannins, with coloring matter cyanin (cyanidin diglycosides).
Red Rose Petals are used as an astringent and as a coloring agent.

Leaf, flower, and berries of Crataegus spp. (Rosaceae family) are used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease.
Hawthorn is a safe, effective, and non-toxic agent in the treatment of chronic heart failure and congestive heart failure.
Leaf, flower, and berries contain flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, with different concentrations of vitexin-glucoside, vitexin-rhamnoside, vitexin, rutin, and hyperoside.

Flowers of Tilia cordata (Tiliaceae family) make a pleasant-tasting tea, with dried leaves and wood also used.
Linden has sedative effects, used to treat nervous palpitations, high blood pressure, infections, and itchy skin.