Why do we love calendula so much
As per a study, calendula has antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor properties. You can make a healing tea, decorate your meal or soup, treat different skin conditions. It’s a powerful, yet gentle skincare ingredient suitable for all skin types and ages – a true multipurpose hero!
Calendula officinalis (Calendula) is an aromatic herb that is used in the traditional system of medicine for treating skin damage, wounds, ulcers, scars, frost-bite, blood purification and so much more! Traditional herbalists have known the benefits of the calendula flower for centuries and science is beginning to back those claims. The plant is rich in many pharmaceutical active ingredients like carotenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, quinones, resin, volatile oil, and amino acid.
Fun fact
The genus name is derived from the Latin word "kalendae" (Middle English “calends”), which means “the first day of the month”, referring to the fact that the plant can be found blooming at the beginning of most months of the year.
With the capacity to address a lot of health issues, this herb has the potential to make its way around your entire home: from the garden, to the kitchen, to the medicine cabinet.
Decorate your soup or salad
Historically, calendula was known as “poor man’s saffron” as it was used to colour and flavour foods, specifically butter, cheese, custard, bread, cookies, soups, and rice dishes. Add fresh petals to your dish and enjoy the vibrant colours and nutritional properties of the plant. Its colorful petals are high in carotenoids – efficient antioxidant compounds.
Make a healing tea
Pour boiling water over dried calendula blossoms and allow to steep for at least 10 minutes (a few dried flower heads to 1 cup of water). Strain off the flowers and enjoy delicious aromatic tea with multiple benefits:
- It improves the circulation of the blood & lymphatic fluids and aids in the elimination of toxins from the body. The herb is also liver supportive.
- Soothes menstrual cramps. If taken regularly it helps to regulate menstruation and is a beneficial ally in the transition to menopause. Note: because calendula can induce menstruation, pregnant women should avoid consuming it.
- The healing and anti-inflammatory properties of calendula help sore throat, reduce fever, soothe the stomach, and heal ulcers.
Treat skin conditions
- Pour calendula tea into a spray bottle or use cotton balls to calm skin irritations such as diaper rash, insect bites, or stings.
- Due to its antiseptic properties it can help skin conditions such as acne. Wash your face with calendula tea if you are prone to breakouts.
- Use calendula tea as an eye rinse for itchy eyes due to allergies, dryness, and viral pink eye.
- Soak your feet in calendula tea to help treat fungal conditions.
- Rinse your hair with calendula tea after washing to soothe an itchy scalp.
In skincare products calendula may
- speed up the healing of sunburns and other minor burns
- help with wound healing by stimulating tissue and collagen production
- hydrate and nourish dry skin
- slow development of wrinkles
- reduce scarring.
Useful tip
For all medicinal preparations, be sure that you use the whole flower, not just the petals, as the medicinal oils are found mostly in the resinous green bases of the flower heads.
Safety tips
Calendula is part of the Asteraceae family and some people can be allergic. If you’re sensitive to ragweed/ragwort, chrysanthemums, or daisies then please be cautious.
If you take medications please consult your doctor prior to use (taking calendula with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness).
Additionally, because calendula can induce menstruation, most medical professionals would advise pregnant, breastfeeding, and trying-to-conceive women to avoid taking the herb internally.