Weleda Arnica Skincare Range
Arnica (Arnica montana) is one of the most popular medicinal plants in Europe. While the rare plant was found on almost every mountain meadow in the high Alps 500 years ago, it is now under conservation in many countries. In contrast to most other alpine herbs and flowers, there is no record that the arnica was known in ancient times as a medicinal plant. Even in the Middle Ages, no one had any idea of the potential of the bright yellow flower. However, it is possible that Hildegard of Bingen dealt with this flower. The medically trained abbess described the effect of a plant called ”Wolfesgelegena“ in the 12th century. Allegedly, it has been enough to touch a chosen one with it in order to let them feel the happiness of love. Unfortunately, the surviving texts do not contain any external description of the plant (nor the detailed procedure). Therefore, it is doubtful that the mentioned Wolfesgelegena was the arnica flower. Even in the first printed herbal books of the late 15th century it was not metioned at all.
According to the popular beliefs of many regions of Central Europe, the arnica was for centuries not a medicinal plant, but a magical plant. The plant also known as wolfsbane, leopard's bane, mountain tobacco or mountain arnica was instead used to protect the nature against evil spirits and natural forces. In the night before Saint John's Eve its effect was supposed to be the strongest. To scare off the so-called ”Bilmenschnitter“, the farmers put bouquets of arnica flowers to the corners of their fields before sunset. According to the legend, the arnica flowers prevented the grain or harvest demons from snapping off the stalks in the grain fields during the night.
As the arnica was increasingly used as a medicinal plant from the 18th century on, it was given a new name in common parlance: mountain arnica. Among treating simple bruises, the brew from the petals was also used for dermatitis, gout or rheumatism. The intake is now no longer recommended because of toxic side effects. But it is recommended even more for ”blunt“ injuries such as strains, bruises, contusions or haematomas. Weleda offers high-quality arnica products for both prevention and post-treatment. The quickly absorbed Arnica Massage Oil has a pleasant fragrance and nourishes the skin. While massages before exercise promote blood circulation, the Massage Oil stimulates natural regeneration of the skin after exercise. By massaging it into the damp skin after the shower, the muscles do not cool down so quickly and do not react so easily with tensions and soreness.
With the Weleda Arnica Energy Shower Gel you can enjoy the sporty and invigorating scent of rosemary and lavender. Mild surfactants based on vegetable raw materials gently cleanse and preserve the natural moisture of the skin. The Weleda Arnica Essence is a tincture for external use in case of strains, bruises, contusions and haematomas. The Arnica Jelly can be used for further treatments, but is also helpful if the application of a bandage with the Arnica Essence is too impractical for on the go. The Arnica Ointments 30% and 10% are primarily suitable for further treatments of so-called ”blunt“ injuries such as strains, bruises, contusions and haematomas. The Weleda Arnica Series activated and supported the skin with the power of the bright yellow mountain flower.
