Herb library

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Calendula, the cheerful marigold, is a gentle, old-fashioned household remedy for skin care and mild mucous membrane comfort. It is easy to grow, easy to prepare, and commonly kept as a kitchen herb for poultices, washes, and soothing teas.

Traditionally used for.

• •Traditionally used as a soothing wash or compress for minor cuts, scrapes, and dry skin irritations.
• •Traditionally used as a gentle mouth rinse or gargle for mild oral soreness and inflamed gums.
• •Traditionally used as a mild tea for calming digestive discomfort and supporting gentle mucous membrane comfort.
• •A long-standing household remedy for baby-care salves and diaper-area soothing preparations, used with caution and only when infant is over one year for honey-containing recipes.

Simple preparations.

• •Infused oil for salves: place 1 cup dried calendula flowers in a jar, cover with 2 cups light oil (olive or sweet almond), gently warm in a sunny window or a double boiler for 4 to 6 hours, strain and use as a base for salve or balm twice daily as needed.
• •Tea for mouth rinse or mild digestive comfort: steep 1 heaping teaspoon dried calendula flowers per cup of just-boiled water, cover and steep 10 to 15 minutes, strain. Cool before using as a mouth rinse or sip warm, up to 3 times a day.
• •Warm compress or sitz soak: make a strong infusion with 2 tablespoons dried flowers per quart of boiling water, steep 20 to 30 minutes and strain. Use soaked cloths as a compress for 10 to 20 minutes, or sitz soak for 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice daily.

Cautions.

• !People with known allergy to plants in the daisy or aster family may experience skin rash or allergic reactions; test on a small skin patch first.
• !Internal use as a concentrated preparation can cause nausea in some sensitive people; begin with small amounts and stop if upset occurs.
• !Honey should not be given to children under one year; for baby preparations avoid honey and check with your doctor before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding or when on medication.

Often kept beside.