Calendula

Sep 17

In my opinion, every home needs a batch of Calendula -Infused Oil! From first aid kits to beauty products, Calendula oil is the perfect base to nearly any anti-inflammatory application.

Calendula’s name comes from the Latin calendar, meaning “little calendar” and refers to the plants tendency to bloom every month of the year (depending on your bio region.) My Calendula’s are popping right now!!

The name marigold also makes reference to the Virgin Mary and marigolds are traditionally used in Catholic rituals. Calendula flowers are also used in India & Nepal as daily offerings to the gods and to make males or strings that go around the neck of the god as offerings.

I LOVE using the petals in my salad to add color and sweetness!

Information about the plant and some of my fav recipes below.

Calendula: Calendula officinalis

Flowering Tops

Medical Actions and Uses:

Skin: Calendula is a powerful vulnerably for the skin and mucosa. Due to its wound-healing ability and its antimicrobial action, it has a long tradition of us for healing cuts, burns and grazes. It promotes the formation of granulation tissue, which helps with both new wounds and older wounds that are slow inhaling.

Calendula salve can be used with very good results on eczema and inflamed skin conditions.

Digestive System: Calendula can be used internally for healing the digestive system and is helpful in any ulcerative condition of the digestive tract such as gastric or duodenal ulcers. It is also healing and anti-inflammatory for gastric mucosa that has been damaged from NSAID use.

Calendula infusions (tea) are soothing and healing when used as a mouthwash for inflamed or ulcerated gums, mucous membranes, and tongue. Calendula salve is pain-relieving and healing for hemorrhoids.

Eyes: Calendula infusion (cooled) can be used to soothe and heal inflamed eyes and eyelids.

Reproductive System: Calendula has been long used for normalizing the menstrual cycle and brining relieve in mild painful menstruation.

Calendula salve is soothing after childbirth. It is also soothing and restoring to the vaginal walls and perineum when menopause results in dryness and irritation.

Key Actions:

Vulnerary, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Astringent, Analgesic, Emmenagogue, Mild diaphoretic

Energetics:

Topically cooling for inflamed tissues with excess heat.

Warming for undernourished tissues.

Preparations:

TEA

2 tsp dried herb per cup of boiling 3x per day. Steep covered for 10 minutes. **Please note that taking calendula internally can sometimes be too warming for people with a hot constitution. Try combing with cooling herbs (such as rose!) to mitigate this. I LOVE Calendula and Rose combined for tea.

CALENDULA INFUSED OIL

I love the folk method for my recipes! This doesn’t require heat. It will take about 10 minutes to prepare. Then you will let the oil infuse for 4-6 weeks. Afterwards, you have a beautiful oil for EXTERNAL USE. It is the perfect base for many at products you can make at home!

Equipment

• 500 mL (17 fl oz) glass jar with lid

• Small mesh strainer

• Cheesecloth

• Wooden spoon

• Glass storage container (500 mL glass amber bottle)

Ingredients

• 20 g (~ 1 cup) dried Calendula flower heads (Calendula officinalis)

• ~ 425-450 mL (~ 2 cups) fixed oil of choice (olive, grapeseed, or almond)

Directions (No-Heat Folk Method)

1. Place dried flowers into the jar and cover with oil, leaving ½-¼ inch of space from the top of the rim.

2. Cover with lid, shake several times, and let sit for about an hour. If the herb has absorbed a large amount of oil, feel free to top it up.

3. Place the jar out of direct sunlight - but somewhere you will see it daily - so you don’t forget about it! Mine live on my countertop.

4. Shake the jar every day or so for at least 4 weeks, and up to 6 weeks. You know your oil is ready when the colour becomes more yellowish, and the aroma distinctly toasty or nutty.

5. Strain your oil into a clean glass storage jar through a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, pressing very firmly on the herbs to make sure you get out every drop!

6. After straining, let it sit for 24 hours, then pour into bottle, leaving the tiny particles of plant material behind.

CALENDULA FACIAL SERUM

A gentle anti-inflammatory and vulnerary facial serum used to soothe acne, rashes, and dry skin and lips or just to give your face a radiant and nourished glow.

Equipment

• 1 x 50 mL glass dropper bottle

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Calendula-infused jojoba oil

• 1 tbsp rosehip oil

• 1¼ tsp liquid vitamin E or antioxidant tocopherol blend

• 4 drops frankincense essential oil

• 2 drops Rose geranium essential oil

• 3 drops Lavender essential oil

Directions

1. Infuse Calendula into jojoba oil using any method you like (example: the recipe above!)

2. Combine with rosehip oil and Vitamin E/Tocopherol Blend into glass dropper bottle.