Arnica montana Characteristics

Arnica

• 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.

Arnica Preparations

• 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.

Calendula

• 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.

Yarrow

• 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.

Saffron

• 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.

Saffron Adulteration

• 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).

Lavender

• 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.

Papaver

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

Red Rose Petals

• 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.

Hawthorn

• 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.

Linden

• 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.