Does Arnica Montana Grow in Greece or India?

Origin

• Arnica Montana is grown in Greece, India, North America, New Zealand and anywhere that conditions are favorable for the production of this herb. The word "arnica" derives from the Greek word "arnakis," meaning lamb's coat, and refers to the fine hairs that surround the flowers of the plant.

Geography

• Also called mountain tobacco or leopard's bane, Arnica Montana grows best in alpine meadows and forests. This perennial plant prefers acidic soil and is naturally distributed from south Norway and Latvia southwards to south Portugal, the north Appennines and south Carpathians, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Considerations

• It is cultivated commercially in many countries, including New Zealand and the U.S., and is a protected species in some regions. It grows best in cool, moist environments -- like that found in mountainous areas -- and was known to have been utilized by Native-Americans as a healing balm.