El Arte de la Naturaleza, El Arte de la Ciencia
Nombre común | Mexican arnica
Nombre Científico | Heterotheca inuloides
Parte usada | Flower
Compuestos activos conocidos | quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, apigenin
Beneficios potenciales en cosméticos | skin brightening, anti-oxidant
Nombre del producto | Mexican Arnica-APD, Mexican Arnica-ANB
Historia de la Planta
Mexican arnica (Heterotheca inuloides) is a flowering plant native to Mexico. Mexican arnica is different from European arnica (Arnica montana), but both flowers possess similar characteristics and have been used for similar purposes. Medicinally, Mexican arnica has been used to treat rheumatism, skin inflammation, and muscular pain colic. It can also be used for bruises, varicose veins, or gastrointestinal disorders.
Mexican arnica flowers are a source of various phenolic compounds. In particular, flavonols such as quercetin and kaempferol and flavones including luteolin and apigenin have been identified. These compounds inhibited tyrosinase, indicating skin brightening properties. In addition, flavonoids inhibited lipid peroxidation and scavenged DPPH radical, suggesting anti-oxidant activity.