Arnica montana
Leopard's bane
Arnica montana, commonly known as mountain arnica, is a perennial herb native to the alpine regions of Europe. Renowned for its bright yellow flowers, it is widely utilized in herbal medicine to alleviate bruising, swelling, and muscle aches. However, it must be used externally to avoid toxicity.
- Scientific name: Arnica montana
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Arnica montana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is situated within the genus Arnica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Arnica | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by various names depending on the language and region. In Polish, it is referred to as Arnika górska, while in Welsh, it is simply called Arnica. In Basque, the common name is Arnika, and in French, it is known as Arnica des montagnes. Finally, in Belarusian, the plant is called Купальнік горны.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Arnika górska | Wikidata |
| wa | Arnica | Wikidata |
| eu | Arnika | Wikidata |
| fr | Arnica des montagnes | Wikidata |
| be | Купальнік горны | Wikidata |
| hu | hegyi árnika | Wikidata |
| et | Mägiarnika | Wikidata |
| de | Arnika | Wikidata |
| sq | Kaliboba | Wikidata |
| sh | Planinska arnika | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in the countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species is also found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, it inhabits certain areas within Austria. Additionally, the plant's range extends into Belgium, marking its occurrence in Middle Europe.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Arnica montana, is characterized by its striking, daisy-like appearance, which is primarily defined by its vibrant yellow flowers. These large, composite flowerheads are composed of numerous individual florets that densely pack the structure to create a brilliant display. Within these complex flower heads, the medicinal properties are distributed throughout the various flower tissues, making the entire reproductive structure a key focus for botanical study and traditional use.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flowerheads | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower heads | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| florets | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Whole Plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Arnica montana has 47 reported phytochemicals identified across 51 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, SLs, helenalin, (E)-Caryophyllene, 1,2,2,3-tetramethylcyclopent-3-enol.
- Total chemicals
- 47
- Scientific sources
- 51
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| SLs | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| helenalin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-Caryophyllene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,2,2,3-tetramethylcyclopent-3-enol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11alpha,13-dihydrohelenalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethylheptane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,6-diisopropylanisole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AM-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Arnica montana has 10 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiseptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitussive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Arnica montana has 34 reported medicinal uses identified across 38 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, pain, traumas, wounds, Acinetobacter baumannii.
- Total uses
- 34
- Scientific sources
- 38
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| traumas | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acinetobacter baumannii | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acute coronary syndrome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anaplastic astrocytoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |