Herb of the week Calendula

[Rita]

When looking for an herbal remedy to treat skin or wounds, think flower power -- or, more specifically, calendula. Its flowers, and occasionally its leaves, can be used to treat a variety of afflictions in different ways.

Calendula has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical. This lovely marigoldlike flower (although called pot marigold, it is not a true marigold) is considered a vulnerary agent, a substance that promotes healing. Calendula also has anti-inflammatory and weak antimicrobial activity. It is most often used topically for lacerations, abrasions, and skin infections; less commonly, it is used internally to heal inflamed and infected mucous membranes.

Calendula is a herbal remedy for cuts and sore skin.

Marigoldlike Calendula can be
used to soothe skin and heal
cuts and abrasions.
Uses of Calendula

Numerous topical preparations exist for external use. Calendula salve, for example, is a useful and versatile product to keep in the first-aid kit or home medicine chest. In addition to treating minor cuts and abrasions, the salve is great for chapped lips and diaper rash. You can use calendula teas as a mouthwash for gum and tooth infections, a gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis, and a sitz bath for genital inflammation or hemorrhoids. Or drink the tea to help treat bladder infections or stomach ulcers.

Calendula Preparations and Dosage

Most health food stores carry calendula soaps, oils, lotions, salves, and creams. Herb stores also supply bulk dried flowers, tincture, and calendula succus, which is made by extracting the fresh juice from the leaves and young flowers and preserving it with a bit of alcohol. Calendula succus is popular among naturopathic physicians, who use it during minor surgical procedures (to help heal the incision) and topically on skin wounds and infections. For internal use, take 1 teaspoon, three or more times daily.

Calendula Herbal Tea
Infuse 1 heaping tablespoon of dried flowers per cup of hot water.

Drink 2 to 4 cups each day, or soak a clean cloth in the tea and apply topically.
Calendula Precautions and Warnings

Do not apply any fat-based ointments, including calendula salve, to wounds that are oozing or weeping; use watery preparations only, such as calendula tea, and allow the area to air dry completely between applications. On recently stitched wounds, wait until stitches have been removed and scabs have formed before applying calendula ointments or other calendula preparations. An exception would be a very brief and light application of calendula succus or tea applied without any rubbing or friction. Calendula should not be taken internally during pregnancy.

[bluelacedredhead]

I've not had much luck starting these until now. But a friend told me last year that they prefer to be direct seeded so starting them indoors and attempting to transplant was not the correct way to go about this. Who knew, lol

I could just buy the same old Calendula Officinalis (again), but Richter's has two other varieties that claim superior medicinal action/potent healing properties. Which to choose...

[Rita]

I will check into this .. I know our Moderator Christy grows it so maybe she can give you a few pointers . Mine didn't sprout either

[Rita]

OK I did some reading .. The Darker orange the flower is .. is suppose to be better than the Yellow .. which still has medicinal properties .. .. If I was going to order I would go with this one
the darker orangeis pretty as well which is suppose to have even higher levels .. only problem is if you were to make a tincture out of this with Higher levels of the medicinal qualities I would be a bit afraid of over dosing thats just me tho .. I would rather give them time to do more studies

[bluelacedredhead]

Or that moderation would be the key

[Rita]

Well moderation is the key to anything don't get me wrong I would use it in a skin cream or salve or even a tea Just not as a tincture

[Penny]

It always amazes me, herbs and their uses.

[Garden Happy]

I manufactured calendula ointment for years in my herbal cosmetic company.It also makes a wonderful beard oil for dry,bristle beard hair.My husband used it for years in his beard he had for 18 years.
We also used calendula in our baths and children's baths in our soaps and herbal bath salts blends.
Wonderful herb packed full of medicinal properties of all sorts!
to make a wonderful tincture do this:
CALENDULA TINCTURE
pick the flowers(2 to 3)plants worth at full bud,just before opening when the essential oil is strongest.
mash the stems,leaves and flower buds with a mortal between 2 sheets of waxed paper or in a very large mortar.
pour mix mixture and juices into a large mouth canning jar and fill up with 100 proof vodka(only time i buy strong booze,promise )
let steep in a dark area for about 4 weeks shaking each day to keep everything submerged
keep doing this for about a month,strain though fine cheesecloth and use on burns,scars,stings,rashes,eczema,psoriasis,....
,for sickness 1/4 teaspoon to a cup of tea.It will clean you out so don't go stronger then 1/4teaspoon!!!

On the beard oil for those so inclined to try it or to make a wonderful body oil
do the same as the other recipe BUT PUT THE MASHED PLANTS INTO 1 GALLON OF OIL.I use coconut or olive or grape seed.
each DAY SQUEEZE THE PLANTS PARTS AND ADD JUST AS MUCH NEW.
At THE END OF 1 MONTH YOU WILL HAVE PURE CALENDULA OIL ABOUT 1/2 OF A GALLON.
We would take the squeezed parts and put them into a cheese cloth with old fashion rolled oats,some for each child at bath time or if you have a Friend with dry,scaly,skin or very dry skin or a scar have them rub this oil into it.

make up bath bags by putting 1/4 cup of squeezed plant parts to 1/2 cup rolled oats into a wash cloth with a rubber band or a tie.Place under running tub water,add a few drops of essential oil such as pure rose or Jazmin,or ylang ylang,some orange blossoms or cut a orange into slices and add to the tub,luxury!!
soak away in scented pleasure