The real arnica - a mix-up is possible

Content

• The real arnica - a mix-up is possible
• The historical confusion of arnica
• Optical doppelganger of the Arnica plant
• Determine the true arnica safely
• Tips

The flowers of the meadow goatberry see Arnika similar to the confusion

The real arnica - a mix-up is possible

The true arnica (Arnica montana) used to play a role not only in natural medicine, but also as a spiritually significant magic herb. As a result, the plant was almost eradicated in many areas of Central Europe.

Previous article The best location for arnica in the garden

The historical confusion of arnica

Although the arnica was probably already used in the Celtic and Germanic times as a medicinal herb, the evidence in medieval sources probably relate largely to other plants. For example, Hildegard von Bingen in her "Physica" with the Wolfesgelegena should not have meant the arnica, but rather a wolf milk plant. Various sources from the 16th century have probably confused the arnica with other plants. For example, the Alisma is the water plantain or the frog-spoon herb. These other plants were often falsely attributed to the healing effects attributed to arnica when carefully dosed.

Optical doppelganger of the Arnica plant

There are several plant species in Central Europe, with which the arnica may be confused:

The arnica is therefore often confused with other plants, as it resembles many other plants with their yellow flowers. However, the arnica must not be confused with other plant species, so that it comes to dangerous effects in the application: after all, the toxic effect of arnica is so strong that these days is no longer approved for internal use.

Determine the true arnica safely

Although the true arnica resembles a number of other plants with its flowers, which are typical of the daisy family, it is still relatively easy to identify the plant by connoisseurs. In Central Europe, the arnica usually flowers between May and August. The inflorescences with the cup shape usually have a diameter of 4 to 8 cm. Around the tubular flowers set 14 to 17 many-nervous tongue flowers. The leaves are hairy in the arnica and (unlike, for example, the ox-eye) opposed. The leaves are arranged in rosette form and ovate to lanceolate. Characteristic of the flowers of the arnica is also the aromatic fragrance, which does not occur in this form in the Willow-leaved Alant.

Tips

The cultivation of arnica for healing purposes is quite controversial nowadays, as the dosage on its own cause great problems and can lead to serious poisoning. Therefore, tinctures and extracts for external use should be better bought in the specialized trade.