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Subscribe to this list via RSS Blog posts tagged in Arnica
Is it Wolf’s Bane? Leopard’s Bane? No Just Arnica

Poor Arnica (Arnica montana) has been misidentified for centuries. During the Middle Ages in German-speaking areas of Europe, it had the folk name wohlverleih, meaning “bestowing wellbeing.” Unfortunately, the name was misunderstood and arnica was called wolfsleiche, which meant “wolf’s corpse.” German mystic and herbalist Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) added to the confusion by calling it Wolfesgelegena.

Its folk name leopard’s bane is another case of misidentification. Arnica looks very similar to great leopard’s bane (Doronicum pardalianches), which was believed to have the poisonous power to bring down a leopard. While arnica does not have the power to dispatch a great cat, Hildegard noted that it was an aphrodisiac and used in love magic.

In addition to love spells, Arnica has other magical qualities. Place a sprig of leaves on your altar to increase and enhance your psychic abilities during divination sessions. Use the seeds for a protection spell. Sprinkle them at the corners of your property as you visualize energy rising and creating a dome of safety. Raising energy inside your home with arnica helps settle restless spirits.

 

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Arnica: The Homeopathic First Aid

A few years ago, I attempted a really foolish thing.  While trying to coax my cat from the top of our roof; standing on a rickety wooden ladder; barefooted; saucer of milk in my right hand and reaching for the cat with my left … I took a serious fall.  I had the cat in one hand and not wanting to crush my kitty,  managed to twist my body so that I would not land on her or hit my head on the saltillo tile in our atrium.  In doing this magnificent feat I landed hard on my right side, twisting my right leg, ankle and foot.  I could feel nothing for the first couple of hours and then the pain came!!!!  I couldn’t tell if I had broken anything or not.

Surprisingly I broke nothing, but I was told I would be on crutches for weeks and be badly bruised and swollen.  After returning home from the hospital, I had remembered that my Grandmother had a “magic” cream for twisted limbs and bruises, Arnica.

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Recent Comments - Show all comments
  • Lizann Bassham
    Lizann Bassham says #
    I use arnica all the time, but never took time to learn about it's history, or even see how beautiful it is when it grows. Thank
  • Paola Suarez
    Paola Suarez says #
    Thank you Tammye for the reminder to keep Arnica in the house! I will put it on my list. Do you have a particular brand you would
  • Tammye McDuff
    Tammye McDuff says #
    Good Morning Paola! I purchase Bioron Arnicare from my local Natureway Food Store. But any natural food store will carry it. You
  • Paola Suarez
    Paola Suarez says #
    Thank you for the recommendation and the link. I will follow up on these right away.

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