Gathering Gold: Harvesting Arnica
And How to Infuse It into Healing Oil + Salve
One of the greatest experiences of living in the high mountains is stepping into the alpine meadows on a cool summer morning and seeing a field of sunny arnica. The sun rises gently over the ridgelines, the air is fresh with pine and dew, and scattered across the hillside like tiny suns are the golden blooms of Arnica cordifolia. This resilient, high-mountain flower is beloved for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory gifts—used for sore muscles, bruises, and sprains for generations.
The Conscious Harvest
When harvesting arnica, it's essential to do so with deep respect and reciprocity. This plant is wild and seasonal, and its population can be delicate—especially in heavily trafficked areas.
Tips for Ethical Harvesting:
Only harvest from abundant patches (never more than 1/3 of what’s there).
Choose flowers that are freshly open and vibrant.
Leave the roots and some blooms to ensure reseeding.
Offer thanks—whether through a breath, a song, or a simple moment of gratitude.
Gather in a clean basket or cotton bag, and aim to infuse the blossoms fresh the same day for potency.
How to Make Fresh Arnica Infused Oil
You’ll need:
Fresh arnica flowers (ideally harvested that day)
Organic olive oil (or sunflower oil for a lighter option)
Clean glass jar with a lid
Cheesecloth or fine strainer
Steps:
Gently clean the arnica flowers of any bugs or debris—do not rinse with water.
Let them wilt on a towel for a few hours to release moisture (minimizing mold risk).
Place the wilted flowers in a clean jar and cover fully with olive oil.
Stir gently to release air bubbles, then seal the jar.
Place the jar in a sunny window or warm spot for 2–4 weeks. Shake gently every few days.
After infusing, strain through cheesecloth and store the oil in a dark glass jar.
Make Your Own Arnica Salve
Once you have your infused arnica oil, you can turn it into a soothing salve.
You’ll need:
1 cup arnica-infused oil
1 oz beeswax (adjust for desired firmness)
Optional: a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil
Steps:
Gently melt the beeswax in a double boiler.
Add the infused oil and stir until fully blended.
Remove from heat, add essential oils if using.
Pour into clean tins or jars and let cool until solid.
Label and date your salve—it will keep for about 1 year stored in a cool, dry place.
When to Use Arnica Salve
Apply your arnica salve externally for:
Sore or overworked muscles
Bruises, bumps, and minor swelling
Joint pain and tension
Post-hike or post-workout recovery
Note: Arnica should never be applied to broken skin or open wounds or taken internally.
Connecting with Mother Nature
Harvesting arnica is more than just gathering herbs—it’s a relationship with the wild, a practice of presence, and a return to ancestral ways of healing. Infusing and crafting your own medicine invites you to slow down, listen, and take part in nature’s rhythm.
At Mother Mountain we have an in house arnica salve infused with other wild-crafted medicine from the mountain. Check out Muscle Relief Salve in our Apothecary.
