An Herbal Profile:  Calendula
(calendula officinalis)

Calendula is a bright, sunny addition to any medicinal herb garden.  It is easily grown from seed (I highly recommend Horizon Herbs to you as a supplier of excellent quality herbal seeds) and will flourish in almost any soil. If you allow it, it will reseed itself, keeping you in calendula for years to come. My children love to grow calendula in their own little herb plots.  One quick note - the common name for calendula is pot marigold, or simply marigold.  Do not confuse this with the African marigolds that are common sights at nurseries come spring.  Look for the Latin name, and you will be sure of what you are getting.

Chemical Compounds
triterpenoid and triterpene alcohols
resins
carotenoids
flavenoids
saponin
sterols
mucilage
essential/volatile oil
polysacharides
carotenes
bitter glycosides

Key Actions
astringent
emmenogogue
alterative
anti-inflammatory
estrogenic
promotes wound healing
anti-microbial
antiseptic
digestive bitter
relieves muscle spasms
detoxifies
immune enhancing

Calendula has many many uses, both internally and externally, that recommend it strongly to the home herbalist.

Internally, it is a wonderful addition to formulas for upper respiratory and throat infections.  An infusion of calendula (1 tbsp blossoms to one cup of water) is an effective mouthwash for oral thrush.  It is a tonic for the lymph system, liver and gall bladder, as well as being detoxifying, making it excellent for treating chicken pox, measles, acne, eczema, and the common cold and flu.  It is also a digestive bitter, helping to improve the function of the digestive system and treating diarrhea, ulcers, and other digestive problems.  Taken internally it can also be of assistance in treating menstrual cramps. 

This is a recipe I give to my husband, who suffers from periodic problems with lymph congestion, creating a sore, tender neck and throat: 

First I make a decoction one part each licorice root and cinnamon bark. Give them a brief whirr in the blender, or use your mortar and pestle to break them up some.  Then add a tbsp of the mixture for each cup of pure water in a teapot and bring to a slow boil. Boil for fifteen to twenty minutes.

Next, make an infusion of 
1 part ginger root (Usually roots are decocted, but a handful, such as ginger, are better infused)
1 part goldenseal (This is optional, I only use it when the situation is more acute)
1 part echinacea
2 parts thyme
2 parts calendula

Add one part of decoction to two parts of infusion and place in a thermos.  Drink one cup, three times a day, or, when the situation is acute, 1/4 cup every 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.  He basically just keeps it by him and sips from it as the day progresses.

Calendula is of such benefit externally that I would suggest that you have a jar of calendula infused oil on hand at all times.  It is useful in treating ear infections along with mullein and/or garlic oil. Simply warm slightly and use a dropper to administer two or three drops into the ear.  Place a cotton ball in the outer ear and relax while the oils do their work.  Be sure to treat both ears, even if only one is giving you trouble, as ear infections seem to spread from one ear to the next if allowed to go unchecked.

The oil is also useful in salves for treating cuts, insect bites, rashes, eczema, minor burns and sunburn, and skin irritations. Its anti-fungal properties make the dried, powdered herb a perfect addition to powders for topical fungi such as athlete's foot and jock itch.  The fresh herb makes a great poultice for skin conditions such as chicken pox and shingles. 

Tender Touch Salve
This is a nice salve to have on hand for treating all sorts of skin irritations, including diaper rash and sore, cracked nipples.  If you use it on your nipples, apply it immediately after breast feeding and make sure and clean it off before nursing again. 

Infuse the following oils in apricot kernel oil to cover for two to six weeks (yes, you can do the quickie double boiler method, or oven infuse, but I really really recommend the old fashioned sun/moon infusing for the best results...all that energy put to good use...):

2 parts chickweed
2 parts calendula
1 part comfrey leaf (or root, if you are comfortable using it- I personally am...)
1 part plantain
1 part lavender
1 part chamomile
(for a bad diaper rash, replace the chamomile with usnea)

Make a salve, using 1/2 to one ounce of beeswax to each cup of infused oil.  The consistency of the salve is really a personal choice, so use less beeswax for a softer salve, more for a firmer one.  Heat the oil and grated beeswax gently in the top of a double boiler, removing promptly when the wax has melted.   Pour into clean, sterilized jars, allowing it to cool before capping.  If you would like, you can add a small amount of lavender essential oil to the blend, but do NOT use it for sore nipples in this case.

~ Khadijah Lacina


Note: The information in this article is simply meant
for informational and educational purposes only, based
on the author's education and experience.  It is NOT
intended to replace the advice of a good physician or
to preempt medical treatment when necessary.  As with
any herbal treatment, people may react to different
herbs in different ways.  Soapnuts and the author of
this article are in no way responsible for any outcome
that may come from the use of the information set
forth in this article.