Metaphysical Properties Of Arnica Flower
Official Name: Arnica montana
Other Names: Wolfsbane, Wolf Flower, Mountain Tobacco
Gender: Masculine
Diety: Freya, Ra, Apollo
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Metaphysical Powers: Spiritual Protection, Defense
Common Magickal Uses and Folklore Arnica Flower
Arnica Flowers, known as mountain tobacco, is used in magick to defend against low vibrational energies and spiritual attacks. This herb is sometimes referred to as Wolfsbane and is a great herb to have in your witch's cabinet to defend against those who are emotionally draining, aka energy vampires.
Arnica Flowers are also regularly used during pagan harvest festivals to guarantee an abundant and successful harvest.
Arnica Flower Uses
Herbal preparations, burn in a loose incense blend, add to floor washes, ritual baths, dress spell candles, stuff poppets, or as a casting herb.
As an herbal medicine, arnica flowers are used for inflammation, strains, bruises, and joint pain.
Arnica Flower should never be eaten as it is terrible for the heart and can cause severe gastrointestinal upset.
Spiritual Properties: The properties of the Arnica herb are soul-spiritual healing. Arnica brings the forces of the Spiritual Self into re-connection with the traumatized body.
The German name for Arnica is Wolfsblume or Wolf Flower. An ancient traditional story said that the spirit of the Corn Wolf wandered among the cornfields adding his strength to the coming harvest. Arnica was placed around the fields to prevent him from escaping before the corn was harvested. His spirit then entered the final sheaf that was cut and then carried to the village in honor. (Note: Corn, in this case, refers to grain in general.)
Arnica has had hundreds of uses in Germany throughout the centuries for everything from heart disease to anemia. The American variety has been used by Native Americans and the early settlers for a variety of uses.
It is said that one can drive away thunderstorms by burning Arnica and saying, "Set Arnica alight, set Arnica alight, thunderstorm take flight."
Arnica is used in protective rituals and rituals for the fertility of crops.
Arnica is planted around an area to keep spirits from entering or leaving. However, it will only work until the plant dies in the fall.
Healing Properties of Arnica Flower
Arnica is topically soothing and aids healing in bruises and sprains and should be applied as quickly as possible after the injury occurs to speed healing. An essential oil may be added to massage oils for use before and after strenuous physical exercise to prevent muscle aches and strains. It is excellent for muscle aches of all sorts (including PMS) because it reduces inflammation and soothes pain. Arnica reduces clotting, however, and does not speed the disappearance of bruises; it only relieves the pain.
Never apply it to open wounds, rashes, or any broken skin. A poultice of the flowers and roots can be used in a compress over a bandaged wound to relieve pain and aid in healing. A hot compress can also be applied to aching, arthritic joints and wrists afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome.
A good salve mix for bumps, bruises, and sprains is witch hazel, Comfrey, and Arnica.
Some people may be allergic to this plant, and repeated or continuous use can cause some people to develop an allergy to it. Use with caution and only for first aid purposes. Use something else for daily maintenance.
If a person is allergic to any member of the Compositae family (ragweed, for example) they will probably be allergic to Arnica! Do not take Arnica internally. It will cause intestinal irritation, inflames the mucus membranes, and affects blood pressure and heart rate. Even a small amount can kill a person and cause permanent damage to the heart.
Homeopathic Arnica Flower is safe.