Arnica

Also known as Mountain Tobacco, Leopards Bane, Mountain Arnica, Wolfs-bane and Mountain Daisy. From the family Composite. It is found wild in the mountainous area of Canada, North America, and in Europe, where it is a protected species. Bees love it. The name 'arnica' is said to be derived from the word 'ptarmikos', Greek for sneezing. One sniff of arnica can make you sneeze. The herb was known by Methusalus and was widely used in the 16th century in German folk medicine. Largely as a result of exaggerated claims in the 18th century by Venetian physicians, it was, for a short time, a popular medicine.

Species

Arnica montana

Arnica

Hardy perennial. Ht 30-60cm (l-2ft), spread 15cm (Gin). Large, single, scented yellow flowers throughout summer. Oval, hairy, light green leaves.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Sow the small seed in spring or late summer in either a pot, plug or seed tray, and cover with Perlite. Place trays in a cold frame as heat will inhibit germination. The seed is slow to germinate, even occasionally as long as two years! Once the seedlings are large enough, pot up and harden off in a cold frame.

You can gel a more reliable germination if you collect the seed yourself and sow no later than early autumn. After polling up, winter the voting plants under protection. They will die back in winter. Plant out in the following spring, when the soil has warmed up, 30cm (1ft) from other plants.

Division

Arnica's root produces creeping rhizomes, which are easy to divide in spring. This is much more reliable than sowing seed.

Pests and Diseases

Caterpillars and slugs sometimes eat the leaves.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Divide creeping rhizomes.

Summer: Dead head if necessary. Harvest plant for medicinal use.

Autumn: Collect seeds and either sow immediately or store in an airtight container for sowing in the spring.

Winter: Note the position in the garden because the plains die right back.

Garden Cultivation

Being a mountainous plant it is happiest in a sandy acid soil, rich in humus, and in a sunny position. Arnica is a highly ornamental plant with a long flowering season. Il is ideally suited for large rock gardens, or the front of a border bed.

Harvest

Pick flowers for medicinal use in summer, just before they come into full flower. Pick in lull flower, with stalks, for drying. Collect leaves for drying in summer before flowering. Dig up roots of 2nd/3rd year growth after the plant has fully died back in late autumn/early winter for drying.

Medicinal

Arnica is a famous herbal and homeopathic remedy. A tincture of flowers can be used in the treatment of sprains, wounds and bruises, and also to give relief from rheumatic pain and chilblains, if the skin is not broken. Homeopathic doses are effective against epilepsy and sea sickness, and possibly as a hair growth stimulant. It has also been shown to be effective against salmonella.

Other uses

Leaves and roots smoked as herbal tobacco, hence the name Mountain Tobacco.