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An extract of the bright yellow, daisy-like flower is used. It is rubbed on the skin to soothe and heal bruises and sprains, and relieve irritations from trauma, arthritis, and muscle or cartilage pain. Applied as a salve, arnica is also good for chapped lips, irritated nostrils, and acne. It has also been used as a mouthwash for swollen gums and mouth ulcers.
If eaten, the actual herb is toxic to the liver and can be fatal. However, some oral supplements contain highly diluted arnica. These are considered homeopathic treatments. These low-dose arnica tablets have been studied for muscle pain, diabetic eye damage, and swelling and pain after surgery. More research needs to be done to establish effectiveness for those problems.
Because of the risks of pure arnica, the FDA classifies it as an unsafe herb. Doctors who practice compementary medicine generally advise against using arnica in any form other than in a highly diluted homeopathic form.