what is arnica montana

Arnica montana, also known as wolfs bane, leopards bane, mountain tobacco, and mountain arnica, is a moderately toxic European flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. It is noted for its large yellow flower head. Arnica montana is used as a herbal medicine for analgesic and anti-inflammatory purposes, but there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence for such effects, and it is toxic when taken internally or applied to injured skin. It is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, superficial phlebitis, joint pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling from broken bones. However, it is important to note that the FDA classifies Arnica montana as an unsafe herb and cautions against using it orally or applied to broken skin where absorption can occur. Therefore, it is crucial to use arnica under the guidance of a healthcare professional and to follow the recommended usage and dosage instructions.