Inflorescences of Arnica montana, A. longifolia and A. chamissonis ssp. cbamissonis, foliosa and incana yield essential oils of buttery consistence. These oil contain 40–60 % of fatty acids, consisting mainly of palmitic acid (26–52 %), myristic acid (6–16 %), linoleic acid (17–23 %) and linolenic acid (9–14 %). Other saturated and unsaturated acids are present in varying amounts. The liquid essential oil of Arnica sachalinensis contains only 6 % of fatty acids.