Recipe
Arnica infused oil
- Herb:
- Arnica Arnica montana
- Method:
- Herbal oil
- Plant part:
- Flower
About 20 minBeginnerRecipe science profile
Procedure
- Put dried arnica flower heads into a clean, dry jar and cover fully with oil (about 1 : 5).
- Stand the jar in a water bath for 2–3 hours at 40–50 °C, or close it and leave in a warm place out of the sun for 3–4 weeks, shaking daily.
- Strain through cloth, squeeze well and pour into a dark bottle. Label 'arnica — external use only'.
- Rub a small amount into intact skin over a bruise or strained muscle, for a few days at most.
Extraction
- Herb:
- 1 díl sušených úborů na 5 dílů oleje objemově
- Solvent:
- rostlinný olej (olivový, slunečnicový); teplý macerát 2–3 h nebo studený 3–4 týdny
- Shelf life:
- 6–12 měsíců v tmavé lahvičce v chladu
- Target compounds:
- lipofilní seskviterpenové laktony (helenalin) a silice přecházejí do oleje
Notes
External use only. Do not apply to broken skin or if you are allergic to the daisy family (chamomile, yarrow). Stop if redness or itching appears.
Why it works
Oil pulls the lipophilic constituents (sesquiterpene lactones, volatile oil) out of the flower heads; tradition links these to the external effect on bruises. A home macerate is not standardised — strength depends on flower quality and extraction time.
Literature
- EMA HMPC — Arnicae flos, European Union herbal monograph — Tradiční zevní použití při pohmožděninách, podvrtnutí a lokální svalové bolesti; jen od 12 let.
Related
Arnica — Herb card
Herbal oil — Processing method detail