Arnica
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Arnica is a perennial plant of the composite family found in mountainous regions of Europe. It contains essential oil and arnicin, and is used externally for bruises and wounds, both in conventional medicine and homeopathy.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Arnica, Arnica montana, mountain or sheep herb, family of composite plants (Compositae), a perennial herbaceous plant 30-60 cm. in height, with an annual, unbranched, erect stem, terminating in a basket of bright yellow flowers. A. is distributed in the mountainous regions of central and northern Europe, as well as in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. It blooms in June and July. A. contains an essential oil that irritates the skin and a bitter substance-arnicin C^H^O^. A. is used for external use, most often in the form of an alcohol tincture for compresses in case of bruises and wounds. Homeopaths use A. both externally and internally. In the Pharmacopoeia (VII) the preparation-flowers-Flos Arnicae and the alcohol tincture prepared from them-Tinctura Arnicae-are introduced.
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Cite this page
“Arnica.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/arnica/