Post by Contributing Writer, Katie
Who would know that such a beautiful flower is such an amazing herb! Calendula (calendula officinalis) or Pot Marigold is one of the most popular herbs used to treating in skin problems.
Skin concerns often crop up during the blustery winter months, with dry skin, wind-burn, and other irritating rashes.
Calendula can be found in many commercial lotions and creams. It’s not just for healing your skin; you can use it in cooking as well! Calendula leaves have been known to be used for culinary purposes as well. They can be used to add flavor and color to salads, soups, breads and cheeses. I’ve even heard of it being used as a replacement for saffron.
Parts used: Only the flowers. For the strongest medicinal qualities, calendula blossoms should be harvested when then they are fully open before the go to seed. When making salves and ointments it is best to use dried flowers and not fresh because of the water content. If you are using them in a tea of infusion fresh calendula is fine.
Be careful not to confuse calendula with the more common garden Marigold, Targets or French Marigolds.
While Calendula does have its culinary contributions I prefer to use it for its medicinal properties.
Internal
Tincture
- Bleeding
- Hemorrhoids
- Cramps
- Fungal Conditions
- Skin Eruptions
- Hemorrhage
Infusion
- Ulcers
- Digestive Inflammation
- Fever
- Bleeding
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhage
- Measles
- Skin Eruptions
- Fungal Conditions
- Ulcers
- Inflammation
External
Salve
- Bee Sting, Insect Bites
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Sunburns, Burns, Scalds
- Wounds, Abrasions
- Ulcerations
- Rashes
I love to use calendula whenever I make lotion or creams to have that added healing and soothing benefit.
Here are a few links for ways to use calendula medicinally:
Calendula is an easy-to-grow plant; perfect for just starting an herbal garden or even for a children’s flower bed. It also grows well in pots, if you don’t have a garden space. You can find the seeds or lovely already-dried calendula blossoms from Mountain Rose Herbs.
What is your favorite way to use calendula? Please share with us in the comments!
Katie is a dorm “mama” to 12 amazing girls ages 8 to 18 at a home and school for the Deaf in Baja California, Mexico. She and her “hijas” can be frequently found in the kitchen, the garden or making friends with their new chickens. She loves to read, hike the hills near her home and spend time with her girls. In her spare time Katie blogs at Nourishing Simplicity about nourishing foods, herbal remedies, simple living, raising her girls and encouraging other women in their walk with Christ.
 |
Fantastic post! We grew calendula in our garden last year and I made it into a really simple salve. We’ve used it for everything from burns to blisters to scrapes and bites. Love calendula!
[Reply]
Katie Reply:
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:22 pm
It is great! I’m hopping to grow my own this year.
[Reply]
[...] and cheeses. I’ve even heard of it being used as a replacement for saffron. Join me at Frugal Granola to learn more about this wonderful herb! Filed Under: Herbs and Natural Remedies, Natural [...]