Arnica

Arnica montana, also known as wolf’s bane, leopard’s 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. 

We are harvesting Arnica flowers in the Garden Farmacy at the moment. There seems to be a shortage with the medicinal herb suppliers here in Australia this time of year, just before harvest so it’s well worth growing your own. Plus I find that the commercial supply is generally harvested too late and the flowers tend to puff up and go to seed. 

Growing your own is really easy, once you have your Arnica established you can keep dividing the rhizomes and replanting. The seeds need a little warmth and light to germinate and kept in moist free draining soil. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle you can transplant them into pots. They can be slow growing to start off but will soon take off. Keep you Arnica plants in a place that has afternoon shade as the root prefer to be kept cool.

Arnica is used topically for aches and sprains, more muscular sub dermal issues.

You can download your copy of Arnica Materia Medica