Today I would like to tell you about a dried flower that is becoming a popular ingredient in skin care products. It’s called Arnica and it’s a plant traditionally used for minor injuries, bruises, and joint and muscle pain. You may have heard of this ingredient if you’ve used a bruise cream, for example. It is extremely good at promoting faster healing times for all kinds of skin irritations. Because of this, it is starting to become well known as an ingredient that can help skin and hair look and feel better.
The difference between types of Arnica
While Arnica Montana is a version of the plant that you can most commonly find in traditional arnica salve, creams, ointments and other products, there are actually many flowers called “arnica” around the world that contain similar healing properties. Heterotheca inuloidesor Mexican arnica, has very similar skin and hair benefits that can be used in personal care products. Research done in recent years is beginning to show that Mexican arnica has special properties that make it a valuable addition to the list of effective antiaging skin care ingredients.
All flowers with the name ‘Arnica’ belong to the daisy family known as Asteraceae. Arnica flowers usually have yellow flowers and an earthy scent. Many varieties have been used worldwide for centuries for a range of medicinal purposes. Arnica Montana can be toxic when not used properly. Mexican arnica has much less toxicity and about the same level of medicinal properties. In traditional forms of medicine, Mexican arnica is also known to be used internally as a tea or other consumable medicine. However, it is important to always consult a licensed physician before using Arnica for consumption.
Arnica for skin care
You may be wondering how this traditional medicinal herb can be used in modern skin care. This is a big question. The truth is that leather undergoes a lot of wear and tear just in everyday life. Even if you don’t have an injury or medical condition that could use the help of herbal remedies, your skin is subject to damage from everyday activities. This can come from sources such as oxidative stress molecules, pollution, too much sun or harsh weather, and more.
Because of this, what are known as “wound healers” are increasingly becoming part of a good skin care routine. Although much of this damage is invisible to the naked eye, there may be microscopic tears or unhealthy substances that can degrade the skin barrier. This is why a regular skin care routine is so important. Regular skin care helps mitigate this type of damage, which helps the skin barrier stay healthy. This can help the skin look young and radiant regularly.
In addition to these benefits, Arnica is also often enjoyed as a scalp treatment. It can be used to support hair follicle health and stimulate hair growth by encouraging healthy blood flow to the scalp.
Arnica skin benefits
The main benefits that arnica can provide to your skin come from its plant nutrients. It has a long history of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties when used in traditional medicine applications. This is not surprising because it is so rich in antioxidants and healing compounds. These help the skin function at its best by encouraging better circulation, which in turn helps speed up the healing process.
Not only that, but his latest studies Heterotheca inuloides have been shown to work actively to clear away age-causing molecules. It appears that over a period of time, Mexican arnica can actually help reverse some of the symptoms associated with age-related skin damage! These studies showed that skin was actually firmer, more even and more consistently hydrated after a period of continuous use.
Some of the herbal ingredients found in Mexican arnica include; phytosterols (soothing, plant-based fatty acids), flavonoid antioxidants, polyphenol antioxidants and sesquiterpeneswhich are often found in the most popular natural herbal wound healing products.
Mexican Arnica Skin Care Products
There are many ways to use Mexican arnica in your DIY skin care. By using Mexican arnica in your products, you can add a boost of extra nutritional benefits to your homemade skin care. From a healing cream for bruises to an Arnica eye cream that targets dark circles under the eyes, here are some ideas for using this powerful flower in your creations:
- Bath soaks or teas
- Infused oils
- Whipped butter
- Facial steam
- Lotion bars
- Massage ointments
- Eye cream for dark circles
- Frozen Face Toner*
- scalp rinse*
*If you soak arnica in warm water to use as a facial toner or scalp rinse, be sure to refrigerate, use within a week, and discard any unused portion after that time. Any water-based personal care product without preservatives can encourage the growth of harmful microbes.
These products can only be used on intact skin and not on open wounds or broken skin – contact your doctor if you have further questions.
I’ve formulated a recipe for a soothing Arnica cream that can be massaged into muscles and joints to give the skin a boost of hydrating plant nutrients. It starts with making an arnica-infused oil, which is then whipped into a fluffy arnica body butter.
Part One
Recipe with arnica oil
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried Mexican arnica flowers
- 8 ounces almond oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
Instructions
- In a glass, heat-resistant container, pour almond oil over dried Arnica flowers
- Place the container in a pot of water on low heat for 4 hours
- Allow your oil to cool until it is safe to handle
- Drain the flowers from the oil through a colander
If you prefer not to use heat at all, you can simply let the arnica flowers soak in the oil in a glass jar for about 4-8 weeks. You can use either method for this recipe.
Part Two
Whipped lamb cream recipe
Ingredients
- 6 oz mango butter
- 2 ounces Kokum butter
- Arnica Oil 8 oz
Instructions
- Combine Mango Butter and Kokum Butter in a double boiler system
- Slowly melt until completely melted, then remove from heat
- Add 8 oz of the infused Arnica oil and mix
- Put it in the fridge to cool until it becomes 75% solid but not hard
- Remove from the fridge and beat until frothy
- Put it in a storage jar of your choice
And that’s it – your own homemade soothing arnica cream!
We now carry dried Mexican arnica flowers in our online store, along with any butters or oils you may need for this project.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the nutrient-dense arnica flower and its uses for body care from head to toe! As always, feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or comments you may have.
Author: Natalie, DIY Skincare Enthusiast
