Astéracées • Arnica chamissonis

Arnica americana - Organic

"A mountain perennial, unassuming in appearance, precious for its respectful care of living things."

$4.49

Number of seeds 50 seeds

In the clear light of open spaces and edges of gardens, American arnica establishes itself with understated elegance. This North American perennial, still relatively unknown in urban gardens, nevertheless finds its natural place in a harmonious garden, at the heart of a nourishing space where companion plants are also cultivated for everyday care.

Its low to slightly upright habit, simple foliage, and daisy-like yellow flower heads give it a tranquil, wild appearance. In welcoming, well-drained soil, it gradually forms discreet but faithful clumps, offering its benevolent presence season after season when its rhythm and needs are respected.

American arnica, a medicinal plant primarily known for its external use, evokes an age-old practice of care, to be handled with care and discernment. Planted in a quiet corner of the garden, sheltered from trampling, it contributes to a deeply rooted approach: observing the plant, understanding its cycle, and harvesting sparingly to preserve the population and the role of this species in the ecosystem.

Growing climate: Cool to temperate climate
Sowing difficulty level: Medium
Care required: Occasional

Note: Prefers well-drained, cool soils; avoid excessive competition from vigorous plants and trampling.

Traditional medicinal use:

Arnica (including American arnica, Arnica chamissonis, a close relative of European mountain arnica) is traditionally used externally to relieve bruises, contusions, and minor injuries.
The flowers, prepared as an oil macerate, ointment or diluted tincture, are used in the composition of liniments and ointments to be applied locally to intact skin.

Important precautions:

Arnica is generally not used internally due to its potential toxicity.
Do not apply to damaged skin, open wounds, or large areas of skin.
Any therapeutic use should be done with discernment and, ideally, with the advice of a healthcare professional or a qualified herbalist.

In the ecological gardening approach:

Cultivating American arnica provides a local resource, grown in a respectful manner, reducing pressure on wild populations.
It is part of a tradition of local medicinal gardens, where harvesting is done sparingly and where a thoughtful relationship with living things is cultivated, between observation, careful experimentation and the transmission of know-how.