Calendula Medicine
Calendula is a bright and friendly flower that is a powerful healing ally. Got a scrape, bruise, or cut - call in Calendula. Calendula is not only antimicrobial preventing infection, it also helps your body heal faster by calling in the cells you need to make new tissues and stimulating their activity. Ulcers in your digestive tract? Calendula tea taken internally is a powerhouse of healing here too.
Calendula as a wound healer:
Calendula’s beautiful yellow/orange flowers are packed full of constituents that help to heal. It is used topically to treat minor skin irritations, bruises, boils, eczema, psoriasis, and surgical wounds (1). Internally it has been used to heal wounds such as stomach ulcers and irritations such as gastritis. The usual preparations of teas and tinctures can be used, but calendula also shines when a juice of the fresh flowers is used.
For those with a nose for scientific terms, calendula contains “a large variety of biologically active substances such as terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, volatile oils, quinones, and amino acids” (6 pg 135). What this means is that calendula heals wounds by several different methods. First, it promotes the first stage of healing known as granulation. This is especially helpful in wounds that just don’t heal. Next, it brings in the cells needed for repair and helps them do their jobs more effectively. This includes deep wounds that involve structures below the skin. In an experiment involving cut rat tendons, calendula was shown to increase the healing of the tendons, muscles, and overlying skin. Finally, it helps the skin cells knit back together quickly often with less scarring.
For best wound healing results, you want your calendula preparation in direct contact with the wounded tissue. This is why using the juice, tea, or tincture work best. I always include calendula in any formula I make for wound healing both at home and for my patients. Simply taking calendula capsules will not do.
Calendula as an antiseptic
Not only does calendula help to close up wounds, it is also a powerful antimicrobial effective against bacteria, fungi, and even Ebstein Barr virus (2). Rosemary Gladstar recommends using calendula tea as a treatment for thrush (a fungal infection) in infants (4) and it is also used in conjunction with other herbs as a treatment for Candida overgrowth both vaginally and in the GI tract (1).
If you get a cut or scrape washing the area with a calendula tincture or succus is a great way to reduce your risk of infection and speed healing. When I was in medical school performing minor surgical procedures, we always used a topical tincture to help speed recovery sending patients home with a bottle to apply daily - the main ingredient was Calendula. I still keep a bottle of this “minor surgery tincture” in my office as well as at home in my first aid kit.
Calendula as a lymph mover
You probably are familiar with the idea of lymph nodes, but did you know that you have a whole system of lymphatic vessels that cover your whole body? Fluids move through our body from our blood to the spaces between our cells and into our lymphatic system. Here fluids are filtered through a series of lymphatic tissues and then returned to the blood. This gives our immune system a look at what is circulating through the body and a chance to clear fluids of bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. It’s a pretty important system.
Unlike the blood that has a heart to circulate fluids, the lymphatic system of humans relies on muscle contractions (hello exercise!). Still, sometimes things can get sluggish and backed up. Calendula can be used to support lymph movement especially when there is stagnation in the breast tissues, the glands in the underarm area, and the glands in the groin (7).
Other helpful uses for calendula
Another great use for calendula is as a hair rinse. Rosemary Gladstar recommends making a triple strength tea (three infusions) and using this as a rinse to condition the hair (3).
As a flower essence, Calendula is used to aid in spoken communication especially for those who tend to end up in arguments and have their words misunderstood. (5)
Dry skin can also be soothed by using a calendula infused oil such as olive or almond oil.
Fevers can aided and calmed by drinking an herbal tea with calendula, elder flowers, and yarrow flowers.
Finally, calendula flowers are very edible! They make a great addition to salads, soups, and omelets.
Growing Calendula
Calendula is very easy to grow and propagate. In warmer climates, it will bloom all year round. Here it is March, and one of my plants has continued to bloom all winter long and the others are growing new buds already. Calendula grows easily from their funny shaped seeds. You can sow them directly in the soil. While the plants to prefer good sunlight and healthy soil, they will thrive nearly anywhere.
One of my favorite things about calendula is how generous this plant is. If you want more flowers to use, pick more flowers. Leave a few for the pollinators of course and some to go to seed for collection at the end of the Summer, but otherwise pick to your heart’s content. You want the sticky resin in the flowers, so don’t be surprised when everything seems to stick to your fingers.
Calendula Oil
This is a simple recipe that uses fresh flowers, good quality oil, a mason jar, sunshine, and time.
Fill a glass jar with calendula flowers leaving about two inches of room at the top. Pour in oil - I prefer olive oil to cover the flowers leaving one inch of room at the top of the jar. Put in a sunny window and let it sit for 3-4 weeks. Strain and use liberally. If you would like to make a stronger oil, repeat the process pouring in your first infusion over a new batch of flowers.
Calendula oil can be used as is as a skin oil or used to make other herbal recipes such as salves, balms, or face cream.
References:
Bellebuono, H, Women Healers of the World: The Traditions, History, and Geography of Herbal Medicine, 2014, Helios Press, New York, NY
Buhner, S.H., Herbal Antivirals: Natural Rmedies for Emerging and Resistant Viral Infections, 2013, Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA
Gladstar, R, Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, 2008, Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA
Gladstar, R, Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide, 2012, Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA
Kaminski, P, Katz, R Flower Essence Repertory: A Comprehensive Guide to the Flower Essences researched by Dr. Edward Bach and by the Flower Essence Society. 2004, The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, CA
Tilgner, S.M., Herbal ABC’s: The Foundation of Herbal Medicine, 2018, Wise Acres LLC, Pleasant Hill, OR
Tilgner, SM, Herbal Medicine: from the Heart of the Earth, 2009, Wise Acres LLC, Pleasant Hill, OR
