Calendula Officinalis - Uses & Benefits
Calendula officinalis is a flowering plant in the aster/daisy family that is revered around the world both for its medicinal uses and as a bright addition to flower and vegetable gardens. Its dainty blooms are a staple during summer, as the petals open up towards the sun and dance gently in the breeze.
Did you know? Calendula comes from the Latin word "calendae" which means "little calendar," because the blooms open in the morning and close in the evening.
Calendula is one of my favourite flowers to grow in my garden because it is easy to cultivate and yields a bountiful harvest. The fragrant flowers have many uses, from salads to dyes to all of its wonderful medicinal benefits.
History of Calendula
Calendula's first documented uses date back to the 12th century, though it is likely that it was cultivated for much longer than that. Many cultures and traditions used it for its medicinal, spiritual and edible properties. As a food, calendula has been used as a food dye and to add flavour to food and drinks, and was even sometimes referred to as "poor man's saffron."
Medicinally, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans cultivated calendula to treat wounds and support digestive health.
Spiritually, some Christian traditions associate calendula and other marigold varieties with the Virgin Mary, leading to the plant's name "Mary's gold." It was used to decorate alters and was a popular addition to gardens to honour Mary.
Properties of Calendula
In ayurvedic medicine, Calendula is a dry, cooling and light herb, and so it is best used to help balance ailments that are heavy, warm or moist. It is an analgesic,
What Are The Benefits of Calendula?
Skin Health
Calendula contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can help to promote fast healing of minor skin wounds and irritations like sunburn, cuts, scrapes, bug bites, acne, and rashes. Our calendula salve helped our kids skin heal quickly from sunburn when we were in Mexico earlier this year.
Calendula is also particularly useful in helping to heal wounds like ulcers and hemorrhoids by increasing the flood and oxygen fow to the infected area to promote faster healing.
Digestive Health
The anti-inflammatory properties of calendula are useful in treating inflammation of the digestive system and helping to manage symptoms of gastro-intestinal issues like colitis, gastritis, Chron's disease, leaky gut syndrome, IBS, and ulcers.
Menstrual Health
Calendula has some estrogenic properties that can help to regulate the menstrual cycle, and its anti-spasmodic properties may help to relieve painful cramping, relax muscles, and improve blood flow.
Immune Health
The astringnent and antisepctic properties of Calendula stimulates the immune system and helps the body fight off infections. Calendula also has antiviral and antifungal activity that can help strengthen the immune and lymphatic systems.
Oral Health
When used as a mouthwash, the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties in Calendula can help support oral health, reduce swollen gums, and treat gingivitis and oral cavities.
How To Use Calendula
Tea - a simple tea can be made by brewing 1 tbsp of dried calendula flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. It pairs wonderfully with other herbs like mint, chamomile, fireweed and goldenrod
Tincture - calendula tincture can be taken to address ailments such as menstrual problems, digestive issues and to strengthen the immune system
Salve - calendula salve is an excellent choice for relieving skin irritations like burns, rashes, bites, cuts and scrapes
Infused oil - calendula infused oil works great as a daily face and skin moisterizer
Mouth wash - a decoction made by brewing 3 tbsp of calendula flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for an hour can be used as a mouth wash. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days
Warnings
Do not take calendula if you are allergic to plants in the daisy/aster family. Avoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as safety is unknown. And as always, consult a health care practitioner before taking any herbal supplements. The information in this post is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or illness.
Happy healing!