Arnica montana belongs to the family of Asteraceae and grows in the mountains of central and southern Europe. The mountain plant flourishes on humid pastures with siliceous soil and likes full sun.

More than 150 active ingredients have been identified in the inflorescence. The mountain plant is used to relieve bruises, stiffness and sore muscles. When the flower is in full bloom, the whole plant - roots, stalk, leaves and flower - is harvested and processed: cut, pressed and covered with alcohol. After three weeks, the liquid is filtered. The tincture is then used for a variety of different medicines. Arnica massage oil, however, contains an oil extract only of dried Arnica flowers.

Due to the increase in tourism and agriculture in the natural habitat of Arnica in recent years, the pressure on the plant has grown immensely. We therefore gain Arnica only from sources which have sustainable collecting practices. One of these is a nature conservation project in the French Vosges mountains. Weleda cooperates with the University of Metz, the surrounding communities, the representatives of the wildlife park and the tenants. The wild stock has multiplied since the beginning of the project. Controlled sustainable collecting thus does not endanger the plant, it actually helps to preserve and strengthen the wild stock.

Another source is from cultivation: Since a first attempt in the 80’s Dieter Mueller is one of our main suppliers and business partner. In the Hessian Staufenberg he cultivates arnica in organic quality on a surface of approximately 10 hectares.  He supplies us with annually approximately 5 tons of fresh plants and 500 kilograms dried plants.

Weleda also supports a nature conservation project of the WWF in the Romanian Apuseni mountains, which are part of the Carpathian mountains. Today, Romania or rather Southeastern Europe is by far the most important source for medicinal plants from wild stock in Europe. Weleda receives the entire quantity collected in this project. By means of a professional drying facility, for which Weleda has given the knock-on financing, the quantity of dried flowers is supposed to reach 800 to 1000 kilos. Since 2006 the wild collection is certified organic.   

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