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Calendula
Officinalis
PLANT
FAMILY COMPOSITAE
 Also
known as MARIGOLD, or POT MARIGOLD.
L. Kalendai,
is the first day of the month in the Roman Calendar.
"The
character is slightly bitter, pungent, drying, and gently cooling. Its
constituents are: saponins, flavonoids, mucilage, essential oil,
bitter principle, resin, steroidal compounds, carotenoids. Actions
of the Calendula are astringent, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory,
heals wounds, menstrual regulator, stimulates bile production (cholagogue),
vulnerary, anti-microbial, emmenagogue, tonic. It may be applied
externally for a wide range of skin problems and inflammations.
It may also be taken internally for many gynecological, feverish,
or toxic conditions. It is helpful to move liver energies.
In Culpepper's day, marigold was taken to 'strengthen the heart'.
It was highly regarded for smallpox and measles. I have read
that Macer's 12th-century herbal recommends simply looking
at the plant to improve eyesight, clear the head, and encourage
cheerfulness.
My mentor, Master Herbalist Ella Birzneck used the calendula blossoms
not only in her salve and teas, but also to keep her hair a lovely
light blonde colour. When Ella Birzneck was teaching us to use the
plant, she emphasized that one should only use 20% of the green
parts of the blossom; the rest of the 80% should to be blossom.
The essential oil may also be used as an effective
antifungal for vaginal yeast infections. Use suppositories
containing 2-5 drops each of marigold and tea tree oils 1-2 times
a day. It may be added to skin remedies. The oil can be used in
bathwater, 5-10 drops for nervous anxiety or depression.
As an infusion,take for menopausal problems, period
pain, and inflammation of the esophagus or gastritis. Pour a cup
of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the flowers, let infuse
10-15 minutes. Drink three times a day.
Use a tincture, for stagnant liver problems, including
a sluggish digestion, and also for menstrual disorders, particularly
painful or irregular periods. Take 1-4 ml. Of the tincture three
times a day.
A compress of calendula is useful in slow healing
wounds or varicose ulcers. Apply a soft cotton flannel soaked in
the infusion. Use the compress three to five times a day for at
least fifteen minutes to one hour.
Mouthwash is beneficial for mouth ulcers and gum disease.
Use the infusion for this.
Cream may be applied for any problem involving inflammation
or dry skin, wounds, dry eczema, sore nipples in breastfeeding,
scalds, and sunburn.
Infused oil is used on chilblains, hemorrhoids, and broken capillaries.
Calendula is a beautiful herb, daisy-like in appearance with its
golden flowers, a most thoughtful plant from our Mother Earth.
Its uses are many and virtuous. It is very easy to grow and Calendula
will even re-seed herself for growth in the new season.
When growing this herb try to leave the first dozen or so blossoms
to go seed. One may gather the seeds after they have fully developed
and dried, or let them fall and reseed. I like to let some fall
and get ready for the sprouting the spring, as well as gathering
the ripened seeds and storing them during the winter months.
The best time to harvest or collect the blossoms is, in the early
summer and early fall. Pick the blossoms into a basket or paper
bag, and then spread them out on a screen or onto a clean sheet
in a warm dry area if you want to dry them for later use. Do not
squish, or press on the blossoms. Handle them very gently, for they
bruise very easily. When one is drying Calendula, gently fluff,
or turn the blossoms that are on the screen or your drying cloth.
When they are dry, store them in a clean jar, in a dry, dark cupboard.
Label your jars, so that you do not confuse or forget what you have.
We know that the Pot Marigold is used for a first-aid treatment,
as a poultice, used in the treatment of duodenal and gastric ulcers,
in relieving gall-bladder problems and indigestion, helping delayed
menstruation, painful periods, and any kind of skin damage. This
plant is also great for making loafs, muffins and more."
Dominion
Herbal College - Chartered
Herbalist Diploma Course Book
Here
are a couple of recipes for you to try:
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