Herbs of the Field: Calendula

Calendula -

Calendula is a flower known as part of the Asteraceae family which includes daisies and chrysanthemums. It has a daisy-like appearance, and has many different flower shapes which accounts for its numerous cultivars varieties.  In ancient Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Indian cultures, calendula was used as a medicinal herb as well as a dye for fabrics, food, and cosmetics. Medicinally, calendula is used for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, wound healing, and several other skin conditions. In addition, calendula may be ingested for its anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmolytic effects. When made as a tea, calendula may be gargled as a mouthwash for oral sores or applied topically for skin conditions. As a tincture or extract from the florets, can be used to reduce inflammation, reduce fever, control dysmenorrhea, or treat some cancers, or as a topical salve can be used to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation internally. Calendula also has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-tumor properties as well as its anti-inflammatory property. In addition, as a salve it can be used as a mild mosquito repellent!

Calendula is an excellent companion plant for a vegetable garden because it attracts pollinators such as bees and bumblebees, as well as beneficial insects. The bright blooms are a favorite of butterflies. Plus it attracts some of the pests, such as aphids, thus protecting certain garden vegetables as an alternative to pesticides.

Identification: Colors - bright yellow to deep orange, daily-like flower, and bloom late spring to early fall, height from 18 to 24” tall, leaves are light green, hairy, sparsely toothed, broader at the base and taper to the tip, leaves are found arranged alternately along the stem, stems are also light green, sparingly branched, hairy, and have a strong smell when crushed/cut, when flowers die, they dry forming a fruit or pod that is pale yellowy-brown, containing the seeds.

Harvesting: Collect flowers late in the morning, after the dew has dried. Pick flowers when they are fully open. To dry the flowers, spread out the cut flower heads on a screen in a dry, shady spot. Turn them occasionally until they are papery dry, then store them in canning jars until ready to use.

Usage: Teas are made by steeping 5 to 10 mL of the herb in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes; homemade sugar scrub, deodorant, balm for diaper rash, facial toner, soap, eye solution, sinus infusion, sunburn relief, burn salve, lotion, lip balm, etc. can be made

Cautions: If allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds, plants in Asteraceae/Compositae families. Use while pregnant could affect hormone levels inducing menstruation.