Arnica is also commonly called "Leopard's Bane". The Arnica plant has a bright yellow, daisy-like flower that blooms around July. Preparations made from the flowering heads have been used in homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years. It is popular in Germany and over 100 drug preparations are made from the plant. Arnica is a perennial that is protected in parts of Europe.

The active components in arnica are sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Other active principals are thymol (an essential oil), flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids and tannins.
Arnica works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells that perform much of the digestion of congested blood, and by dispersing trapped, disorganized fluids from bumped and bruised tissue, joints and muscles.

Arnica is known to stimulate blood circulation and can raise blood pressure, especially in the coronary arteries. The plant is used externally for arthritis, burns, ulcers, eczema and acne. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that can reduce pain and swelling, improving wound healing.

Arnica Link

Arnica Properties Favored by Aztec's

To combat Bronchitis, Fever, Hemorrhoids, Bumps, Wounds, As an Analgesic, Anti rheumatic and for weak Nerves and Muscles.

Aztec Method of Use

For Bronchitis:
Take a spoonful of a brew made with 2.5 grams of flowers to 1 liter of water.
For Malaria, to lower fever and for weak nerves and muscles:
Boil 8 grams of flowers and leaves to 1 liter of water then drink 1 cup of the brew 4 times a day.
To cure Hemorrhoids:
Boil 25 grams of Arnica in 1 liter of water and with this bathe the affected area and lastly pat with iodine and alcohol.
For bumps, wounds, exposed ulcers and rheumatism:
Make a tincture of 20 branches of Arnica and rub the affected area; the tincture should be made in this way. Macerate the branches for 15 days in 1 liter of alcohol.