Calendula (Calendula officinalis), has several aliases, like pot calendula, pot marigold, Garden Marigold, Gold-Bloom, Holligold, Marigold, Marybud, and Zergul. It has an orange or yellow flower and is native to the Mediterranean area.
Calendula’s name comes from the word calendar because it blooms every new moon. “Marigold” refers to the Virgin Mary. The flower is often used in Catholic events that honor her. When you think of marigold, don’t think of the annual flowers from your garden. That is probably either French marigold or African marigold and is a totally different species.
For those who like the technical facts, calendula contains these medicinal ingredients: calendulin, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, isoquercitrin, narcissin, rutin, amyrin, lupeol, sterols, and volatile oils. The flowers also contain complex polysaccharides with properties that stimulate immunity.
Calendula benefits us both inside and outside the body. Internally, calendula helps with GI tract problems. It protects the lining of the intestines and stomach by limiting the effects of the bacteria associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer, and by inhibiting the causes of swelling and inflammation. It will thus sooth stomach ulcers and inflammation as well as fight fever, boils, abscesses, and recurrent vomiting.
External uses are related to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities of calendula’s orange petals. These two traits have made this flower a popular treatment for a host of bodily infections. Some feel it is as effective in treating ear infections as some leading prescription drugs. Try using calendula tea to wash eyes suffering from chronic conjunctivitis (pink eye). As an ointment, it will both soothe the inflammation and reduce it by attacking the bacteria causing the swelling. It is also effective in treating other inflammations. These include hemorrhoids, vaginal itching caused by menopausal tissue changes, insect bites, diaper rash, acne, burns, scalds, eczema, and sunburn.
By using this herb on infections, healing is more pain-free, better, and faster when calendula is used. Cosmetic creams containing calendula decrease the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate skin. Gargling with calendula water or tea has helped ease the pain of a sore throat.
Calendula is also used to treat chronic ulcers, varicose veins, capillary engorgement, and congestion. You can eat the flowers so some like to add them to things like salads cereals, rice, or cooked foods for flavor and color.
You may purchase or prepare calendula as a cream, tea, tincture, infusion, compress, or wash. The recipe for making calendula tea is to simply pour about a cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of calendula flowers and let it sit for 15 minutes. You can take up to three cups of calendula tea per day. The tincture is made by soaking a cup of flowers in .5 quarts of rectified alcohol for five to six weeks. Five to fifteen drops may be taken with water or tea three times a day. The salve is made by boiling one ounce of dried flowers or leaves in one ounce of lard.
Calendula is a very safe herb. The only known reactions are in people with ragweed allergy. Do not use tincture on wounds as the alcohol base will burn the raw tissue. Be sure wounds are cleaned before applying calendula.