{
  "@type": "Article",
  "type": "knowledge",
  "title": "Botanical Plants in a Body Balm: Arnica, Ginger and Lavender",
  "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/botaniska-vaxter-i-kroppsbalsam/",
  "language": "en",
  "summary": "Behind a rich body balm lies an entire herb garden. Here we go through the classic European plants — arnica, ginger, lavender and more — and what they contribute to the feel and experience on the skin.",
  "answer": "Short answer:",
  "author": {
    "name": "Daniel Johansson",
    "url": "https://helsama.se/forfattare/daniel",
    "jobTitle": "Grundare, Helsama OÜ"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Helsama OÜ",
    "url": "https://helsama.se"
  },
  "published_date": "2026-06-13T07:43:34.232423+00:00",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-12T08:08:19.523661+00:00",
  "category": "kannavalley",
  "image": "https://rajqtzgkxymypdinmmgj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/knowledge-images/botaniska-vaxter-i-kroppsbalsam.png",
  "video": null,
  "markdown_url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/botaniska-vaxter-i-kroppsbalsam.md",
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "What are \"adaptogenic\" plants — does this apply to skincare?",
      "answer": "The term adaptogen comes from herbal medicine and describes a claimed effect in the body. In cosmetics, we do not talk about such physiological effects — we describe what the plants contribute to the feel of the skin and the product's experience."
    },
    {
      "question": "Are botanical balms better than others?",
      "answer": "Not automatically — what matters is the formulation as a whole and whether it suits your skin. Botanical ingredients are often chosen for a natural composition and sensory experience."
    },
    {
      "question": "Can I use a body balm on my face?",
      "answer": "Follow the product's instructions. A massage balm with menthol and camphor is made for the body, not for the face or sensitive areas."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why is lavender listed both as \"Lavandula\" and as fragrance substances?",
      "answer": "The plant is stated in Latin, and its natural fragrance allergens (e.g. Linalool) are listed separately for transparency. [More about INCI](/en/kunskap/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard)."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    {
      "title": "Vad är peptider i hudvård?",
      "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/vad-ar-peptider-i-hudvard/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Vad är arnika i hudvård?",
      "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/vad-ar-arnika-i-hudvard/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Så läser du en INCI-lista på naturlig hudvård",
      "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard/"
    }
  ],
  "content_markdown": "[](/en/produkt/kannavalley-cbd-balm)\n\n**Short answer:** A botanical body balm is often built on plants with a long tradition in European herbal culture — arnica, marigold, lavender, ginger — together with cooling and warming ingredients such as menthol and camphor. In a cosmetic product, we describe what they contribute to the feel of the skin and the experience during massage, not any medicinal effects.\n\n## The plants and what they contribute\n\nIn a body balm, botanical ingredients are chosen for a careful, natural composition. Here are the most common ones in our [CBD Balm](/en/blog/natural-beauty-kannavalley-hudvard):\n\n- **Arnica** — a nurturing botanical extract with a long place in European herbal tradition. [What is arnica in skincare?](/en/kunskap/vad-ar-arnika-i-hudvard)\n\n- **Ginger** — contributes a warming feel and serves as an antioxidant ingredient.\n\n- **Lavender** — contributes mainly its relaxing scent (and is declared as a fragrance allergen in the INCI).\n\n- **Marigold (calendula)** — a classic nurturing botanical extract. [Read more](/en/kunskap/vad-ar-calendula-ringblomma-i-hudvard).\n\n- **St. John's Wort** — a traditional European plant extract.\n\n| Botanical ingredient | Contributes (cosmetically) |\n| --- | --- |\n\n | Arnica | Nurturing botanical extract |\n\n | Ginger | Warming feel, antioxidant |\n\n | Lavender | Relaxing scent (declared as a fragrance allergen) |\n\n | Marigold (calendula) | Classic nurturing extract |\n\n | Menthol + camphor | Coolness that turns into warmth |\n\n## Cooling and warmth — the sensory experience\n\nWhat makes a massage balm distinctive is often the feel. **Menthol** gives an immediate coolness, **camphor** a warmth that builds during the massage. Together they create the balm's characteristic progression. Further reading: [what do menthol and camphor do in a balm?](/en/kunskap/mentol-kamfer-i-balsam)\n\n## How they work together in a formulation\n\nThe ingredients are carried by a nourishing base — in CBD Balm, shea butter, olive oil and crambe oil — together with hemp seed oil and CBD. The botanical complex and the cooling/warming substances work together for the experience on the skin during a slow massage in circular motions. Want to understand how all this appears in the ingredient list? See [how to read an INCI list](/en/kunskap/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard).\n\n## Safety\n\n- Several of the plants (arnica, marigold) belong to the daisy family — in case of known allergy, cross-reaction may occur.\n\n- Lavender contains natural fragrance substances that are declared as allergens.\n\n- Menthol and camphor have concentration limits; avoid eyes and mucous membranes, do not use on small children.\n\n- Apply to whole, clean skin, and test a small area first if you have sensitive skin.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### What are \"adaptogenic\" plants — does this apply to skincare?\n\nThe term adaptogen comes from herbal medicine and describes a claimed effect in the body. In cosmetics, we do not talk about such physiological effects — we describe what the plants contribute to the feel of the skin and the product's experience.\n\n### Are botanical balms better than others?\n\nNot automatically — what matters is the formulation as a whole and whether it suits your skin. Botanical ingredients are often chosen for a natural composition and sensory experience.\n\n### Can I use a body balm on my face?\n\nFollow the product's instructions. A massage balm with menthol and camphor is made for the body, not for the face or sensitive areas.\n\n### Why is lavender listed both as \"Lavandula\" and as fragrance substances?\n\nThe plant is stated in Latin, and its natural fragrance allergens (e.g. Linalool) are listed separately for transparency. [More about INCI](/en/kunskap/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard).\n\n## Sources\n\n- [Plants of the World Online (POWO), Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/)\n\n- [CosIng — the EU database of cosmetic ingredients](https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/)\n\n- [Swedish Medical Products Agency — Cosmetics](https://www.lakemedelsverket.se/sv/kosmetika)"
}