Arnica Montana (heart-leaved arnica) is a wonderful, medicinal plant that blooms from mid-May to early June. Look for it shortly after Oregon grape blooms. You can use the flowers to make a wonderful arnica salve to soothe sore muscles and reduce swelling and bruising!
Herbalists harvest the vibrant yellow arnica blossoms to create arnica salve, which is traditionally used to reduce inflammation, ease minor aches and pains, soothe osteoarthritis discomfort, and help bruises heal more quickly.
When I used to sell salves on Etsy, my arnica salve was one of my customers’ favorites. I still keep some in my purse and use it whenever my arthritis flares up. It’s also wonderful for soothing dry, cracked skin.
This year, we seem to have a bumper crop of arnica, so I’m planning to make an extra batch to sell in my shop. Why not make a batch of your own to keep in your medicine cabinet? It also makes a thoughtful, handmade gift for family and friends!
What is Arinca Montana?
Arnica is a beautiful plant in the Asteraceae family with heart-shaped leaves and sunny, daisy-like yellow flowers. Often referred to as mountain arnica, it grows in the mountains of Europe, the U.S., and Canada. It’s been used for centuries as a natural remedy for bruises, sore muscles, arthritis, and swelling.
You’ll often find it in creams and gels that people rub on after a workout or minor injury. No parts of the plant are edible, although it's an important part of some wildlife's diet, especially deer and elk. As far as humans are concerned, it’s not meant to be taken by mouth unless it’s in a super-diluted homeopathic form, since it can be toxic in larger amounts.
According to this PubMed study, Arnica Montana can be used in post-operative pain management. Another study showed that arnica gel relieved pain just as well as a gel containing Ibuprofen when applied topically.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Arnica flowers: At least 1 cup of arnica flowers, dried of all moisture.
- Carrier oil: 1-½ cups of carrier oil to infuse the flowers. I recommend any of the following: sunflower oil, safflower oil, and grapeseed oil. See the FAQ section for more information about carrier oils!
- Beeswax: For every cup of infused arnica oil, add 1 ounce of beeswax. I recommend these beeswax pellets because they are easier to work with and melt faster than bars.
- Shea butter: Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, which are both known to promote skin healing. It also moisturizes, soothes, and improves skin elasticity. Add ½ ounce for every cup of infused oil.
- Optional: Vitamin E oil & essential oils. I like to add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E for every cup of infused oil and 10 drops of your favorite essential oils.
See recipe card for quantities.
Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal remedies, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition. While Arnica montana is commonly used topically, it can be toxic if ingested. If you’re foraging Arnica in the wild, be sure you’ve correctly identified the plant and are harvesting responsibly—some species are protected, and overharvesting can harm local ecosystems. When in doubt, source from reputable suppliers.
How to Make Arnica Oil & Arnica Salve
Here are step-by-step instructions for making arnica salve for muscle pain.
- Pick arnica flowers and allow them to dry on the counter for a few hours, or until they're dry and wilted.
- Pack arnica flowers into a mason jar, then cover with carrier oil. Screw lid onto the jar and write "arinca oil" and the date on the lid.
Pro Tip: Do not dry arnica too long, or use a dehydrator or a freeze dryer. Doing so will turn the flowers into puff balls, similar to dandelions.
- Place the jar in a cool, dark location for 4 weeks. Shake the jar daily to keep the flowers submerged and to release the arnica's beneficial extracts.
- After 4-6 weeks, strain infused arnica oil through a soup bag, into a small saucepan or wax melting pot: Discard flowers.
- For every cup of infused oil, add 1 ounce of beeswax pellets and ½ ounce of shea butter. Stir over very low heat until wax melts completely.
- Allow mixture to cool slightly. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil and 10 drops of essential oils (optional). Carefully pour into 1 or 2-ounce canisters. Allow to set before screwing on the lids.
What our readers are saying..
Thank you for the arnica salve, it's over-the-top amazing! I'm giving some to all my friends and family members!
—Elaine
Equipment
Here's that equipment I recommend for salve-making: One 1-pint or quart-sized) mason jar, a soup bag for straining the oil, and a wax melting pot - it's got a spout for easy and precise pouring, and it's easy to clean!
A kitchen scale is also essential for weighing your ingredients. You will also need tins to store the salve. I prefer 1-ounce tins, however, you may want to use 2-ounce tins instead. If you plan on making labels for your salve, a label maker comes in handy. Just be sure to get the round labels instead of the rectangular ones!
Storage
Store in a cool, dark place. Since heat and sunlight can break down herbal compounds, store your salves in amber jars or tins, away from heat, to preserve potency.
Is Arnica Salve Safe?
Arnica salve is generally safe for short-term, external use on unbroken skin. It’s a popular natural remedy for bruises, sore muscles, and inflammation, but it’s not risk-free.
Potential Side Effects:
- Skin irritation: Redness, itching, or burning.
- Allergic reactions: Especially if you're sensitive to ragweed, daisies, or marigolds (Asteraceae family).
- Contact dermatitis: With overuse or in those with sensitive skin.
- Toxic if ingested: Arnica should never be used on open wounds or taken internally unless homeopathically diluted.
- Photosensitivity: Some people may react to sunlight after use.
Use Arnica Salve With Caution If:
- You have allergies to ragweed or similar plants
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners
Safe Use Tips:
- Apply arnica salve to intact skin only
- Patch test before widespread use
- Use sparingly and short term
- Keep away from children and pets
When used properly, arnica salve can be a helpful addition to your natural wellness toolkit. Just be sure to use it with care and respect for its potency.
FAQ
Arnica salve can be used to reduce inflammation, swelling and to relieve muscle aches and pains. It's also excellent for bruises and helps to fade them faster than they would otherwise.
Arnica should never be used on open sores or broken skin because you don't want it to be absorbed into the bloodstream. You should also not use it if you are allergic to ragweed, pregnant or nursing, or on blood thinners.
Grapeseed oil, safflower oil, argan oil, hemp seed oil, or sweet almond oil are all great carrier oil options! They are all low on the comedogenic {kämədəˈjenik} scale (a rating from 0-5), with 0 being the least comedogenic (less likely to clog your pores) and 5 being the most comedogenic (most likely to clog pores and cause acne and blackheads).
Pro Tips
- Fresh arnica flowers contain too much moisture, which can lead to mold growth. Always use fully dried arnica to ensure a longer shelf life and safer salve.
- For the most therapeutic benefits, do a slow, cold infusion in oil for 4–6 weeks. If you're short on time, a low heat method (double boiler on lowest setting for 2–3 hours) works too, just don’t overheat the oil.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to extend the shelf life and add skin-nourishing benefits. Bonus: It also helps prevent rancidity.
- Before pouring into tins, dab a spoonful of the hot salve and let it cool. Check the texture. Too soft? Add more beeswax. Too hard? Add more oil.
More Foraging Posts
If you enjoy making arnica salve, check out these other related posts!
DIY Arnica Salve for Bruises & Muscle Pain
Equipment
- 14 1-ounce tins
- 1 soup bag
Ingredients
- 1 cup arnica flowers
- 1½ cups carrier oil (grapeseed oil)
- 1 ounce beeswax pellets
- ½ ounce sheabutter
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil (optional)
- 10 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions
- Pick arnica flowers and allow them to dry on the counter for a few hours, or until they're dry and wilted.
- Pack arnica flowers into a mason jar, then cover with carrier oil. Screw lid onto the jar and write "arinca oil" and the date on the lid.
- Place the jar in a cool, dark location for 4 weeks. Shake the jar daily to keep the flowers submerged and to release the arnica's beneficial extracts.
- After 4-6 weeks, strain infused arnica oil through a soup bag, into a small saucepan or wax melting pot: Discard flowers.
- For every cup of infused oil, add 1 ounce of beeswax pellets and ½ ounce of shea butter. Stir over very low heat until wax melts completely.
- Allow mixture to cool slightly. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil and 10 drops of essential oils (optional). Carefully pour into 1 or 2 ounce canisters. Allow to set before screwing on the lids.
Notes
- Do not dry arnica too long, or use a dehydrator or a freeze dryer. Doing so will turn the flowers into puff balls, similar to dandelions.
- Fresh arnica flowers contain too much moisture, which can lead to mold growth. Always use fully dried arnica to ensure a longer shelf life and safer salve.
- For the most therapeutic benefits, do a slow, cold infusion in oil for 4–6 weeks. If you're short on time, a low heat method (double boiler on lowest setting for 2–3 hours) works too—just don’t overheat the oil.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to extend the shelf life and add skin-nourishing benefits. Bonus: It also helps prevent rancidity.
- Before pouring into tins, dab a spoonful of the hot salve and let it cool. Check the texture. Too soft? Add more beeswax. Too hard? Add more oil.
Hilda Sterner says
I hope you try making your own arnica salve, then come back and tell me how it works for you!
Kim says
I have arthritis in my fingers and I applied some salve to them and they felt much better. I would recommend this fior pain relief.
Hilda Sterner says
That's awesome to hear, Kim, thanks!