Mountain Arnica (Arnica montana) seeds

The Mountain Arnica, also called Mountain Tobacco, is both an alpine plant and a medicinal plant. It is perennial and reaches a height of about 60cm. Its dark yellow flowers, which appear from June to August, smell pleasantly spicy with a slightly bitter note. In its original distribution area at high altitudes, it becomes increasingly rare and is, therefore, protected in many European countries.

Arnica is certainly one of the most famous homoeopathic remedies for muscle injuries or bruises. But also academic medicine appreciates the curative power of the Arnica blossoms in the same context, although only in external use. Ingesting it is not advisable because all parts of the plant are toxic. In ointments and tinctures, however, it can fully exert its anti-inflammatory effect, and in other preparations, too, it is an enormously versatile medicinal plant.

In the Middle Ages, Arnica was considered a magical plant which protects against lightning, storms and evil spells, as well as a plant for banning crop demons and protecting against crop failure.