Arnica Extract
- Type
- Plant extract
- Botanical name
- Arnica montana
- INCI name
- Arnica Montana Extract
- CAS number
- 8057-65-6
- Other names
- leopard's bane, mountain tobacco, wolf's bane (for the plant)
Plant and extraction
Cosmetic grades are made either by soaking the dried flowers in water and alcohol, or by gently breaking them down in soybean oil; propylene glycol and butylene glycol are also used as solvents. An oil extract therefore contains the carrier oil as well as the plant substances.[2]
The extracts contain fatty acids, a small amount of essential oil, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids and coumarins, and sesquiterpene lactones such as helenalin, which matter for allergy.[2]
Uses
Besides cosmetics, arnica is used as a homeopathic remedy, especially for bruises, rheumatism and pulled muscles, and it also flavours chewing gum, herbal and fruit sweets, herbal tea and liqueur.[1][2]
In US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, arnica extract was reported in 41 cosmetic formulations in 1984, at up to 5%, and in 97 formulations in 1998.[2]
Safety
Arnica can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a delayed skin allergy. It is seen in people who handle the flowers, and the sesquiterpene lactones are thought to cause it. In a patch-test study of 1032 people, three reacted to an ointment with 10% arnica tincture.[2]
Do not swallow products with arnica. Taken by mouth, they have caused severe stomach and intestinal inflammation, nervousness, a fast heartbeat, muscle weakness and death.[2]
In 2001 the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), a US expert panel, found the data insufficient to confirm that arnica extract is safe in cosmetics. It asked for more studies.[2]
Products containing it
- Skin Cream With Jojoba Oil (I 780)