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Arnica angustifolia alpina
| Common name: |
Mountain Tobacco |
Family: |
Compositae |
| Author: |
(L.)I.K.Ferguson. |
Botanical references: |
60, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Arnica alpina ((L.)Olin.) |
| Known Hazards: |
The whole plant is toxic and should only be used for external applications to unbroken skin[172]. |
| Range: |
N. Europe. N. Asia and Northern N. America. |
| Habitat: |
Pasture and open woodland on neutral to calcareous soils[200]. Bare rocky alpine slopes and summits[60]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
0 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| A. angustifolia subsp. alpina[G]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Alpine Arnica [P], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
alpina = alpine;
angustifolia = narrow leaved;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Asterales. Renamed to Asteraceae -- Aster family
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 0.5m. It is hardy to zone 3. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
We rate it 0/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge.Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Antiecchymotic; Antiphlogistic; Nervine; Sternutatory; Vulnerary.
The whole flowering plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine,
sternutatory and vulnerary[172].
This species is closely related to A. montana and is included in that
species by some botanists. The medicinal uses of that plant are as follows:-
Arnica has a long history of herbal use, especially as an external treatment
for bruises and sprains[232, 238] - it is an ingredient of a number of
proprietary preparations[238]. Internally, it has been used in the treatment
of heart complaints and as a booster for the immune system[238]. Arnica
increases local blood supply and accelerates healing, it is anti-inflammatory
and increases the rate of absorption of internal bleeding[254]. Generally the
plant is nowadays only recommended for internal use as a homeopathic
medicine, principally for treating shock, injury and pain[254]. If used as a
decoction or tincture it stimulates the circulation and is valuable in the
treatment of angina and a weak or failing heart, but it can be toxic even at
quite low doses and so is rarely used this way[254].
The flowers are the part most commonly used[4, 232], they are harvested when
fully open and dried - the receptacles are sometimes removed since these are
liable to be attacked by insects[4]. The root is also used, it is harvested
after the leaves have died down in the autumn and dried for later use[4].
The whole plant is antiecchymotic, antiphlogistic, nervine, sternutatory,
vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 46, 165]. Although a very valuable remedy, it should be
used with caution. It has been known to cause contact dermatitis when used
externally and collapse when taken internally[238]. Only take it internally
under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
The freshly crushed flowers cause sneezing if inhaled[232].
The leaves have also been smoked as a tobacco[232], though it is unclear
whether this was for medicinal reasons
The whole plant, harvested when in flower, is used in homeopathic
remedies[232]. It is especially useful in the treatment of traumatic
injuries, sores and bruises[232]. The homeopathic dose has also been used
effectively in the treatment of epilepsy and seasickness, and it might be of
use as a hair growth stimulant[268].
Other Uses
Hair.
This plant is used as a hair conditioner[172]. No further details are
given.
Cultivation details
Prefers a moist, well-drained humus rich soil, preferably
lime-free[200]. This species is more lime tolerant than other members of the
genus[200]. Prefers a mixture of sand, loam and peat[1].
Closely related to A. montana[268].
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame[200]. Only just cover the seed
and make sure that the compost does not dry out. When large enough to handle,
prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the
greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or
early summer.
Division in spring[200].
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
References for Arnica alpina (a possible synonym).
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
References for Arnica angustifolia subsp. alpina (a possible synonym).
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
[60] Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955
A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[172] Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[232] Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990 ISBN 0-333-55581-3
A concise beginner's guide to the subject. Very readable.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
[268] Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.
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Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Arnica+angustifolia+alpina
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