If you're a fan of homeopathic medicine, you've probably heard of arnica — if not, listen up. Arnica, also known as arnica montana or wolf's bane, is a yellow flowering plant from the sunflower and daisy family that is native to Europe. It's commonly used in homeopathy to treat a large array of conditions. Arnica can be used topically or taken orally, but to do so, it must be diluted because consuming too much can be toxic.
We live in a world obsessed with time, particularly how little we have of it. ("Omg, you're so busy" is almost a compliment.) This means a lot of things slide because we don't think we have time for them, and that includes much-needed beauty treatments.
You've been seeing the word bandied around by your favorite beauty brands, but what exactly is an adaptogen? To start, it's an umbrella term encompassing non-toxic plant extracts that help reduce stress and restore balance to the body. Up until recently, the term has largely been used in the context of herbal supplements — but now it's quickly gaining traction in the beauty world.
Wherever you stand on the whole K-beauty vs. J-beauty debate, one thing is clear: Products from both countries are becoming easier to procure stateside — and that alone should be cause for celebration.
