Arnica Flower

 It is traditional to pick arnica flowers at the summer solstice, also known as Midsummer’s Day, which is when they come into full bloom. It’s interesting to note that the golden flowers bear a strong resemblance to the summer sun.

While there is historical evidence that Mexican arnica has been used safely in small and supervised doses, the consensus among most herbalists today is that it simply isn’t worth the risk of side effects to use this herb internally. This makes sense considering there are many other herbs with similar properties but without toxicity.

Because this herb is a member of the daisy family, it’s possible for allergic reactions to occur in sensitive individuals when it is used topically.