arnica
(ˈɑːnɪkə)
[mod.L. of unknown origin.]
1. A genus of Composite plants, of which the species A. montana or Mountain Tobacco, a native of Central Europe, has valuable medicinal properties.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Arnica..a species of doronicum, with plantane leaves. 1881 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 486 Golden arnica, autumnal cyclamen, blue cornflowers. |
2. A medicine prepared from the plant, esp. in the form of a tincture.
| 1788 Edin. New Dispens. (1791) 133/1 Arnica..has been of late recommended as a very powerful antispasmodic. 1864 Browning Mr. Sludge 1479 Stiffish cock-tail, taken in time, Is better for a bruise than arnica. |
Hence arnicin (ˈɑːnɪsɪn). Chem., a yellow, non-crystallizable, bitter substance, the active principle of arnica. arnicine (-aɪn), an alkaloid found in the same plant.
| 1847 Nat. Encycl. II. 150/2 An acrid bitter principle..called Arnicine. 1869 Watts Dict. Chem. VI. 192 According to Bastick, arnica flowers contain a non-volatile bitter alkaloid, arnicine. 1876 Harley Mat. Med. 537 The root is rich in arnicin. |