calendula officinalis - marigold

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A truly delightful annual flower holds the number one spot in the Homeopathic Materia Medica for cuts, scrapes and all kinds of wounds. The MARIGOLD – Calendula officinalis. We know it as ‘pot marigold’ or English marigold. Not the same as Mexican marigolds which are grown often in the garden for their bug repellent abilities and their pretty colors. Different plants/ different genus. Calendula is in the same family with daisies and chrysanthemums. The Calendula is golden colored and edible, sometimes added to salads for color and ‘zest’. It is a native plant to Europe and has been carried about and cultivated in gardens all over the western world.

Calendula is an herbal star with a long history of medicinal use. In the early years of surgery and operations Calendula was known to be effective as a local and topical surgical wound remedy, able to prevent infection, necrosis and gangrene (!).

Its properties:

  • antimicrobial

  • antiviral

  • astringent

  • anti-inflammatory

  • antifungal

  • containing a high amount of flavonoids/ plant-based antioxidants

  • increasing blood flow for healing & tissue regeneration

Its uses:

  • wound and burn care

  • immune system booster

  • collagen regeneration

  • liver, gallbladder, and uterine tonic

  • calming

  • healing scrapes, cuts, bites and minor wounds

  • skincare/ skin hydration & firming

  • dermatitis

  • baby’s diaper rash

  • suppurations, abscesses

Its forms:

  • fresh or dried calendula petals

  • homeopathically or whole

  • topically

  • tinctures

  • oils

  • liquid extracts

  • infusions

  • ointments

  • creams

Calendula is not often taken internally and should only be used topically or homeopathically for children. There is some use of Calendula as a tea, petals steeped, used for clearing Candida albicans, yeast infections and as a uterine tonic.

Homeopathic Calendula cream is a staple in my medicine cabinet and first aid kit. It works wonders on the skin. It is quite simply Number One. It is so soothing and so healing that it is always used for the recovery and regeneration phase of injuries and traumas, for any skin blemishing or skin inflaming condition, for its gentle and strong qualities.