Calendula: Herb of Sunshine
|
Back >> |
There is something about Calendula flowers that make me happy. Just looking at a jar of the vibrant yellow and orange buds lifts my spirits and reminds me of summer.
Calendula officinalis, the botanical name for calendula, is in the composite, or sunflower family. It is an annual, growing up to two feet tall. It will bloom the entire season, especially if the flowers are harvested at regular intervals. It is native to South Central Europe and North Africa. The leaves are oblong, and three to six inches in length. The flowers are yellow or orange in color and 1-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter.
Sow calendula seeds early in the spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. They will self-sow easily when allowed to go to seed. This is a wonderfully easy way to have Calendula in your garden year after year. Calendula likes moderately rich, well-drained soil, with a pH of 5 to 8. Plant seedlings one foot apart, in full sun to partial shade. The blooms are the part of the plant that is used medicinally and should be harvested regularly. Calendula can be used fresh or dry.
Calendula can be drunk as a tea or used as a skin wash by steeping one ounce of dried flowers per pint of water. Drink up to three cups per day. A dosage for the liquid extract would be 10-30 drops tincture three times a day. The tincture can also be used topically as a liniment.
Calendula is a wonderful herb to eat. Sprinkle fresh flowers in salads. It can be cooked in soups, chowders, rice, and adds a nice color to many dishes. It was the original coloring for cheese. Calendula is antibacterial, antifungal and encourages healing.
It is a nice herb for women, as it eases cramps and regulates menstruation. It helps various vaginal infections including vaginitis, cervicitis, urethritis, leucorrhea and perineal tears. Avoid Calendula internally during most of pregnancy as it is an emmenagogue and may encourage menstruation.
Its bitter properties make calendula useful for stimulating bile production. It is good for stomach disorders and gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Calendula increases blood circulation and causes sweating, especially when drunk as a hot tea. For this reason, it can be used to break fevers, clean the blood, and clear up skin eruptions and blood stagnation. Use it topically for varicose veins, bruises, sprains and hemorrhoids. As an antiseptic, it inhibits harmful bacterial growth. Use it in a salve, oil or poultice for support with healing skin ulcers, measles, rashes, chicken pox, skin fungi, diaper rash and wounds. Calendula helps promote tissue restoration, reduces swelling and discharge, and reduces scarring. Mix calendula and mullein flowers together in vegetable oil to relieve earaches. It makes a nice wash for sore, irritated eyes. It has lymphatic and immune supporting properties.
• Call us at
• Email us at:
Back >> |
