Making oils with medicinal plants is a great way to take advantage of their health properties and benefit from them at home. Arnica - also called Mountain Tobacco - is a plant that has become increasingly popular among herbal health specialists as it is a great natural anti-inflammatory that helps relieve muscle pain, promotes blood circulation and greatly beautifies the skin, preventing premature ageing.
On this occasion, here at OneHowTo we will show you the steps to this greatly useful natural oil. Read on to learn how to make Arnica oil at home.
Ingredients for Arnica oil
To keep the Arnica plant's properties intact and to benefit from them it is best to prepare the oil following the process of maceration. Maceration consists of adding a dry or fresh plant in a liquid in order to extract all its active ingredients, letting the mixture stand for a certain period of time, which can range from hours to months.
In this case, to make Arnica oil and then use it effectively, you must bring together the following:
- 100g dried Arnica flowers.
- Vegetable oil: Preferably extra virgin olive oil, almond oil or jojoba oil. They have excellent properties to reduce inflammation and improve and protect the health of the skin.
- 1 glass jar with lid.
Some people use the fresh plant to produce the oil but we recommend that you opt for dried flowers. Fresh ones contain lots of water and can corrupt the oil when mixed.
Prep the container
When choosing the container you'll use to keep the mixture, go for a transparent or a slightly dark glass - for example an amber shade - as the latter will further protect the beneficial properties of Arnica.
First, sterilize the glass jar. You only have to put it - sterilize the lid as well, but don't sterilize the jar while closed! - in a pot with boiling water and leave it there for at least 10 minutes. With this simple step you will ensure that the oil obtained is kept in perfect condition. When the sterilization time has passed remove the pot from the water with completely clean hands and avoid touching the inside. Place it face down on a paper towel so that it dries.
Steps to make arnica oil
Now you can start making the mix to obtain the Arnica oil.
Add the dried Arnica flowers to the jar and slowly pour in the vegetable oil (olive, almond or jojoba) that you have chosen until you completely cover all the flowers. Continue to fill with the oil until you see that the Arnica is covered in at least a finger's width in depth.
Take a knife and mix the contents carefully with its point so that both ingredients are blended and the oil coats all the flowers. Finally, close the jar and shake vigorously to fully mix.
Once the container is closed you must place it in a dry place, away from direct sunlight that can affect it. Let the Arnica oil macerate in that place for about 40 days; this long period of time will ensure all the active properties of the Arnica are soaked into the oil.
When the 40 days have passed you will only have to strain the mixture, preferably using a filter or a thin cotton cloth so that there are no residual flowers in the end result. Pour the Arnica oil into another sterilized glass jar and always keep it in a dry and dark place.
What are the properties of Arnica oil?
Arnica oil is a therapeutic oil used to promote well-being and health on many levels: Now we will move on to explain what you can specifically use it for and how you can make use of its properties.
Keep in mind that this oil can only be used topically and in no case should it be ingested or otherwise consumed.
- It reduces inflammation and discomfort caused from impacts, sprains, muscle strains, bruises, sore muscles, swollen legs, etc.
- The soothing sensation of the heat it produces can can give relief from aches and pains caused by diseases such as arthritis or osteoarthritis.
- It improves blood circulation when applied to the skin in a massage working towards the heart.
- It is antibacterial, so it can help treat acne.
- It helps to get better skin by helping its regeneration; it is an excellent natural remedy to eliminate stretch marks and reduce scars.
- Its vitamins and antioxidants are excellent for preventing skin ageing and providing moisture to the dermis tissues.
- It repairs hair roots.
What are the contraindications of Arnica oil?
There are some contraindications of Arnica oil, and some basic precautions should be taken into consideration before using it:
- Do not apply on open wounds.
- Avoid direct contact with the eyes.
- It is not recommended for use during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.
- To prevent an allergic reaction, it is important to start using it in small amounts on the skin and observe how it reacts.
- It should never be ingested.
This is how to make Arnica oil, as well as how to use it.
If you have some Arnica flowers left, why not try to make Arnica gel?
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