# Botanical Plants in a Body Balm: Arnica, Ginger and Lavender

> 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.

**Källa:** https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/botaniska-vaxter-i-kroppsbalsam/

**Kategori:** kannavalley · **Publicerad:** 2026-06-13 · **Uppdaterad:** 2026-07-12

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**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.

## The plants and what they contribute

In 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):

- **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)

- **Ginger** — contributes a warming feel and serves as an antioxidant ingredient.

- **Lavender** — contributes mainly its relaxing scent (and is declared as a fragrance allergen in the INCI).

- **Marigold (calendula)** — a classic nurturing botanical extract. [Read more](/en/kunskap/vad-ar-calendula-ringblomma-i-hudvard).

- **St. John's Wort** — a traditional European plant extract.

| Botanical ingredient | Contributes (cosmetically) |
| --- | --- |

 | Arnica | Nurturing botanical extract |

 | Ginger | Warming feel, antioxidant |

 | Lavender | Relaxing scent (declared as a fragrance allergen) |

 | Marigold (calendula) | Classic nurturing extract |

 | Menthol + camphor | Coolness that turns into warmth |

## Cooling and warmth — the sensory experience

What 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)

## How they work together in a formulation

The 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).

## Safety

- Several of the plants (arnica, marigold) belong to the daisy family — in case of known allergy, cross-reaction may occur.

- Lavender contains natural fragrance substances that are declared as allergens.

- Menthol and camphor have concentration limits; avoid eyes and mucous membranes, do not use on small children.

- Apply to whole, clean skin, and test a small area first if you have sensitive skin.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are "adaptogenic" plants — does this apply to skincare?

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.

### Are botanical balms better than others?

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.

### Can I use a body balm on my face?

Follow the product's instructions. A massage balm with menthol and camphor is made for the body, not for the face or sensitive areas.

### Why is lavender listed both as "Lavandula" and as fragrance substances?

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).

## Sources

- [Plants of the World Online (POWO), Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/)

- [CosIng — the EU database of cosmetic ingredients](https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/)

- [Swedish Medical Products Agency — Cosmetics](https://www.lakemedelsverket.se/sv/kosmetika)


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