Arnica itself is an arctic perennial herb related to sunflowers. Some varieties are poisonous, so it must be selected carefully. It is often sold prepared as oils for topical use, as ingestion is not advised.
Description[]
The prepared oil is golden with a bitter, herbal scent. The plant itself has soft, fuzzy leaves and large yellow flowers, which are steeped in oil to create the tincture used in many healing salves and poultices for external use, as it is known to reduce bruising.
Magical Properties[]
While not all potions with these effects may use Arnica Oil as an ingredient, these are traits commonly ascribed to the herbal tincture:
- Healing (external): fractures, bruises, open wounds, anti-inflammation, soothing burns and aches
- Wolves; it is called the wolf flower
- Strength
- Summer
- Fire
- Protection
- Grain
- Binding and snares (especially for spirits)
Habitat[]
As a plant, Arnica is found in high grasslands, shrubland, and alpine mountains, where it can grow in rolling fields of vibrant yellow blooms. The higher the altitude, the greater the magical potency. The prepared oil is commonly available at apothecaries.
How to Collect[]
The plant is fragile, and it is easy to knock the flowers off into bags or baskets. Some flowers should be left for seeding. However, it should be prepared in less than a day, as once plucked, these tenacious little flowers will transform into fluffy, dandelion-like seed pods that cannot be used in recipes!
How to Prepare[]
Use or dry them within a day of harvest to prevent the flowers from transforming into seed pods. Spells are often used to speed up the dehydration process to stop the conversion. Using either fresh or dried blossoms, they can then be placed in oil in a double-boiler at a low boil (~170 degrees F) for 4-8 hours with the lid off to allow moisture to escape. Then turn off the heat and allow to infuse for another two days before straining the flowers out of the oil. Olive oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil are often used.
Gardening[]
Arnica prefers plenty of sunlight and poor soil, making it easy to grow where few plants could otherwise thrive. It should be watered to keep the soil moist. It spreads easily and can be grown with patience from seed, with cuttings in the spring, or by fully transplanting from the wild. It prefers sandy, somewhat alkaline soils (higher pH), but grows in nearly any well-drained, non-boggy soil. For best results, start it indoors by seed and only move outdoors after the last frost.
Arnica should not be consumed; care should be taken around pets.
Known Uses of Arnica Oil[]
- Healing Salve
- Pheonix Down
- ...?