Calendula officinalis, Pot Marigold
Calendula is a member of the Asteraceae family. Which is one of the largest plant families in the world containing many plants like dandelion, daises, and sunflowers. There are more than 23,600 species of Aster herbs shrubs and trees. Calendula flowers are commonly known as Marigolds the common name comes from Mary’s Gold referring to the Virgin Mary. The Latin name Calendula derives from “little calendar”, “little clock”, or possibly “little weather-glass” and refers to the ancient Roman Calendar’s first day of the month or the Calends. Pot Marigold is a different plant than the common garden marigold (Tagates erecta) and similar cultivars or hybrids which contain different plant constituents. Calendula remains close to the ground, reaching about 18 inches (0.5 m) in height. Flowers appear on branched stalks, first forming swollen buds, which open to reveal bright orange and yellow ray and disk flowers. The central disk florets form double Fibonacci spirals also seen in Sunflowers, Daisies, Echinacea Cone flowers and many other Aster flowers. The orange and yellows of the petals show they contain carotenoids (vitamin A). They also contain other constituents like polysaccharides, mucilage, flavonoids, bitters, and trace minerals etc. The petals are often eaten in salads and other culinary dishes.
John Heinermann writes; “British folk medicine records the saying, “Where there is calendula, there is no need of a surgeon.”
To be clear, Calendula is not a miracle herb that can prevent modern surgeries. The saying was coined when the most common surgery was amputation, and the most common cause of amputation was wound infection. The point was to keep the wound from getting infected in the first place.
Calendula has been used to cleanse wounds and promote healing since ancient times. The flowers contain phytochemicals that kill bacteria, viruses, and molds, and other plant constituents that are powerfully anti-inflammatory, promote cell growth and healing in wounds and ulcers. It has great value as either a salve or diluted tincture for any kind of external skin, muscle, or blood vessel problems--wounds, sores, varicose veins, pulled muscles, boils, bruises, sprains, athlete's foot, burns, frostbites, etc. Calendula reduces inflammation without suppressing healing. Do not use it on wounds that are oozing pus as it promotes cell growth so well that you don’t want to seal the infection in. In the case of infection, I usually use a combination of plantain (plantago major) leaves and chaparral ground to a powder, with some myrrh or yarrow tincture to moisten, usually as a poultice and allowing air to get to the area half the time. Yarrow is an excellent substitute for calendula as it also has many of the same clinical actions.
King's Dispensatory, 1898; “as a local remedy after surgical operations, it has no equal in the Materia Medica. Its forte is its influence on lacerated wounds, without regard to the general health of the patient or the weather. If applied constantly, gangrene will not follow, and, I might say, there will be but little, if any, danger of tetanus. When applied to a wound it is seldom that any suppuration follows, the wound healing by replacement or first intention. It has been tested by several practitioners, and by one, is used after every surgical operation with the happiest effect. You need not fear to use it in wounds, and I would not be without it for a hundred times its cost. It is to be made into a saturated tincture with whiskey diluted with one-third its quantity of water; lint is saturated with this, applied to the parts, and renewed as often as it becomes dry.”
Note that in the King’s dispensary they are discussing clean and fresh wounds not already infected wounds. Calendula's ability to aid healing to our external skin is matched by its ability to help heal the internal 'skin' of our gut lining. Our gut lining in the modern world, is just as likely, or even more likely, to be exposed to harm as our external bodies. In the case of Leaky-gut I use calendula and plantain together in many of my infusion formulas. Plantain has similar actions and energetics to calendula they are complimentary and pair well. Leaky-gut also puts a strain on the liver because there are more toxins that need to be broken down and eliminated, and calendula supports mild expressions of ‘stagnant liver syndrome’.
Most often the plant part used are the flowers in medicinal applications, but the leaves may be used externally in compresses, poultices, and washes; and can help reduce inflammation, pain, itching, and provide tissue healing for many skin irritations and wounds.
Calendula was called sponsa salis in Ancient Roman times which means the 'bride of the sun'. It was one of the four sacred herbs that followed, resembled, or represented the sun and could be found blooming at the pivotal turning points of the year or the Calends (first day of the month) in the Roman calendar. In Calendula's case, this was the autumn equinox or the beginning of September. For the spring equinox, the humble Daisy is the sacred flower showing the delicacy and hope of new life. For Midsummer, the bold uplifting St John's wort is the patron. For Midwinter, the honor goes to the mistletoe, not for flowers that have little sun to see on the longest night of the year but for its evergreen leaves that speak the promise of better times to come.
“It is said that if the Calendula flowers close in the morning, then for sure it will rain the following day.”
As a Flower Essence
With the vibrational energetic medicine of Flower Essences Calendula cultivates receptivity in relationships and communication. According to Ruth Altschuler, a master flower essence therapist and teacher, “Calendula as a flower essence helps us listen and communicate in ways that are healing and empowering, uniting Mind, Heart and Higher Guidance.” The solar power of the orange and yellows of the calendula teaches us to bring in light and warmth to our words and into our relations with each other.
From the North American Flower Essence Society:
“Positive qualities: Healing warmth and receptivity, especially in the use of the spoken word and in dialogue with others.”
“Patterns of imbalance: Argumentative, lack of receptivity in communication with others; verbal abuse.”
Clinical actions: calming nervine, vulnerary (tissue healing), mild antispasmodic, mild diaphoretic, warming alterative for the liver and bowel, mild hepatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and immunomodulant.
Primary uses: Used as a tincture in preparation for lotions, creams, ointments, swabs, compresses, and washes, for skin inflammations like eczema, boils, wounds, ulcers, bruises, sprains, and hemorrhoids; as a gargle or mouthwash for inflammations of the mouth and throat; inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract the infusion is mild and good for children, and it is gentle for mild cases. For antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal applications use high percentage of alcohol extracted tincture and then dilute and place on gauze pads.
“Full strength Calendula tincture may be briskly rubbed on the legs or torso to help shrink and heal spider veins and varicose veins” (Richo Cech)
Contraindications: Do not place or apply topically to deep puncture wounds or dirty or septic wounds, it is known to heal over infections and seal them internally and make them much harder to treat and could cause septicemia. Always wait for a scab to form before placing on any wound. Drinking it as an infusion will help to heal from wounds externally or internally without having to place it directly on the wound.
Basic first aid: Never place herbs whole or in powders, oils, slaves, ointments, lotions, or creams directly on an open wound. Let them scab over first. Only tinctures or water extractions can be applied when a scab isn’t present and then only as a wash and/or disinfectant, always place gauze between the herbal application and the wound.
From June 1st to the Solstice June 20th all Calendula products are 10% off! Use Code: CAL1025 when you check out. (Only works for Calendula Herb, Tincture, Flower Essence and Oil).
Summer Blessings to you all!
Cynthia Killingbeck CH, CN, FEP
Owner of Herbs & Arts