The Calendula Flower

( Western Herb )

LATIN NAME:

Calendula officinalis

The Calendula flower is most commonly known as a Marigold, but is also know as Pot marigold, Poet’s marigold, Garden marigold, Marsh marigold, Mary Golde and Pot calendula.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Calendula flower is a low-growing annual that typically grows 12 to 20 inches tall. It bears many petaled orange or yellow flowering heads that are two to three inches in diameter.

Its leaves and stems are slightly hairy and are rough and sticky to touch. It is grown widely as a garden flower and is cultivated for use in herbal medicine in Eastern Europe and throughout Latin America.

The ancient Egyptians valued Calendula as a healing plant and it has never lost its popularity over the centuries. It is an essential component in the herbal medicine chest.

Today this herb is a common additive in complexion creams and lotions that soothe, clean, and soften the skin. In the pharmaceutical industry, some medicinal preparations get their pleasing color from the bright orange pigments of the petals.

PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter:

The Calendula flower is available in several forms for both internal and external use and can be purchased at a health food store. You should be able to find lotions, ointments, oils, tincture, and fresh and dried leaves and florets. It is also available in creams, eye drops, and teas.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* gastric or duodenal ulcers

* indigestion

* gall-bladder problems

* menstrual cramps

Apply externally for:

* cuts and wounds

* sores

* burns or scalds

* sunburns

* skin rashes from measles and chickenpox

* diaper rash

* athlete’s foot

* eczema

* earache

* boils and abscesses

* sore nipples when breast feeding

* yeast infections

* shingles

* varicose veins

* acne

* warts

* conjunctivitis

Tincture: Take 10 to 20 drops daily.

Oil: Apply commercial prepared oil directly to affected area externally, once daily. Put oil on a cotton swab and place in ear for earache.

At home:

Infusion: Steep 1 oz. of dried herb in 1 pint of boiling water. For acute internal symptoms, drink two to four times until symptoms subside.

Parts used: Flowers (petals)

Collection: The petals or whole flower tops and collected between early Summer and early Fall.

Constituents: Saponins, carotenoids, essential oil, bitter principle, sterols, flavonoids, mucilage, terpene

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, vulnerary, anti-microbial, cholagogue, emmenagogue, tonic

Combinations: Combine Marshmallow Root, and American Cranesbill with Calendula for digestive problems.

Combine Slippery Elm with Calendula for an external soothing application remedy.

Combine Golden Seal and Myrrh with Calendula to produce an antiseptic lotion.

SIDE EFFECTS None expected.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

Use caution when driving or operating machinery if you are taking internally.

It can increase the sedative effects of medications for anxiety and insomnia.