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Surrender vulnerable by man, Arnica montana must be protected in order to survive.
The increase in demand from companies for the proven therapeutic properties of this plant, combined with the practices of intensive agriculture and soil fertilization, in fact, are gradually leading to weakening and disappearance of Arnica montana.
Precisely with the aim of preserving the characteristics of the plant and respecting the biodiversity of the species, Boiron follows adequate collection techniques in order to protect the collection sites and ensure the survival of the plant. In this sense, the company has signed the Markstein Convention (from the name of the French region south of the Vosges, one of the most important collection sites in Europe and one of the areas most affected by depletion), which aims to organize the operators involved in the collection of Arnica montana in the Markstein area -Grand Ballon and the conservation of the plant as a common resource.
Specifically, the agreement provides for:
- the collection of plants in full bloom;
- the abandonment in place of a flowering stem every 5 square meters and withered flower heads;
- authorization for manual harvesting only.
In accordance with the commitment made, Boiron entrusts teams of professional collectors, botanical experts, the hand harvesting of the plant, which is taken whole with a few centimeters of root (a part of the rhizome is always left in place). To do this, a special tool is used (such as the pruning knife), useful for plucking the flowers or aerial parts of the plant.
The harvesting period of Mounted Arnica varies according to the flowering of the plant, which depends on the regions and climatic conditions (generally, it starts on June 1st and ends around July 20th). There nature thus imposes its rhythm on the collectors, which geographically follow the trend of vegetation.
Responsible and sustainable collection
To preserve wild plants, promote biodiversity and guarantee a mountain Arnica of excellent quality, Boiron has also implemented a specific specification that imposes strict and responsible harvesting conditions.
- Collection and cultivation of botanical species far from industrialized, urban, intensive farming areas, traditional or from the streets to avoid pollution as much as possible.
- Possibility of collection only 30% of a site’s potential to ensure the survival of the species.
- Perfect health state some plants.
- Obligation to ship the plants within 72 hours maximum from collection, in ventilated packaging and in refrigerated trucks.
With the aim of reducing the environmental impact associated with transport, Boiron tries to favor regional partnerships and works exclusively with organically certified growers, careful to use a low consumption of water and to cultivate without the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Already in 2020, the 91% of plants used by Boiron was of biological origin.
The constant goal is ensure maximum care of the plant and biodiversity.
New products
In addition to range of homeopathic medicines based on Arnica montana, Boiron also offers solutions suitable for dealing with everyday problems such as muscle fatigue, tension and soreness.
For example, Arnicrème is an invigorating massage product formulated using freshly harvested and flowering Arnica montana plants, which guarantees the beneficial properties of the plant. After any physical effort, it is sufficient to massage with Arnicrème the areas that are particularly stressed in case of muscle fatigue you hate feeling of soreness, so as to favor the progressive muscle recovery after exertion.
ArnirollerInstead, it is a soothing and fresh Arnica montana gel that dissolves daily tensions. Formulated for a pleasant massage, thanks to the fresh and soothing gel based on Arnica montana of which it is composed and the massaging sphere, Arniroller allows you to easily practice a self-massage on the areas to relax, such as back, neck and shoulders, even in those normally difficult to reach. The product is indicated for facilitate muscle relaxation and relax the muscles stiffened and contracted by daily tensions.
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