Calendula(Calendula officinalis)

Common Name:

Pot Marigold, Common Marigold, MaryBud

Description/Taxonomy:

Calendula is a member of the Asteraceae family, just like daisies. They originate from Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Calendula is an herbaceous perennial that will reseed itself in warmer climates. In cooler climates, it is typically grown as an annual. You can expect this plant ally to grow 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide in your medicine garden.

Cultivation:

Calendula is extremely easy to grow and can be sown directly in your garden after the dangers of frost have passed. To give your plants a head start, you can also start them indoors 3- 4 weeks before the last frost. Calendula seeds are quick to sprout!

They prefer full sun, but will do just fine in partial shade. It is best to allow 12-16 inches between each plant. Calendula will act as a perennial in Zones 9-11. In Zone 6, where I live, I have noticed that Calendula will volunteer, re-seeding itself where it was grown in the previous year. However, to make sure I have an abundant harvest, I always save seed and replant new transplants every year. 

When harvesting Calendula flowers, it's important to clip the whole flower. The majority of the healing properties are found in the resinous part underneath the flower base. Remember, each time you harvest a flower head, you send a message to the plant ally you are harvesting from to grow another flower. Ideally, you want to harvest every 2-3 days to encourage more blossoms.

History:

There is an old English story that is told of a young girl named Mary with golden hair who loved to sit in the garden staring up at the sun. One day her friends couldn’t find her and it seemed as if she had disappeared. In the spot where she sat staring at the sun grew a golden flower. Mary’s friends and family proclaimed that this was Mary-Gold and she had turned into a flower.

During the Civil War, many field doctors carried Calendula flowers in their medical bags to treat wounds on the battlefield and stop bleeding.

Calendula flowers have also been traditionally used as a dye bath for coloring fabric and used in herbal wines.

Spiritual Uses:

Calendula holds the energy of the Sun. You will notice that the flowers are fully open during the heat of the day as they stare at the Sun's healing rays. Spiritually, Calendula helps us to “shine light” on our deepest wounds. Calendula brings a blanket of warmth and comfort to the places we have emotionally shut down. Calendula also activates our Solar Plexus and brings warmth to how we “digest life.”

Parts Used:

Entire flowering heads

Herbal Actions:

Vulnerary:

This is the primary action of Calendula. Vulneraries repair damaged tissue, both internally and externally. When applied topically, vulneraries heal the skin and may speed the recovery of wounds and skin issues in general. Internally, Vulneraries relieve inflammation; especially those of the digestive system. Calendula has an antimicrobial and antiviral action that also leads to its ability to heal wounds topically and internally.

Lymphagogue:

This herbal action supports the function of the Lymph System. The Lymph and the Blood work very closely together, and therefore, you may consider this ally for swollen lymph nodes and poor circulation. Calendula helps to clear damp stagnation from the lymph system, while improving the catalytic phase of detoxification. This phase is responsible for breaking down waste products and safely excreting them from the body.

Alterative:

In general, Alteratives help the body eliminate waste from the body through the chambers of elimination. Calendula specifically works to clean the lymph, urinary, and digestive systems. Most of the time, when there is stagnation in these systems, it is due to dampness. Calendula is remarkable at clearing out damp stagnation from the body. This is why it also works so well as a Vulnerary and Lymphagogue. 

Digestive Bitter:

You will notice if plants are bitter just by their taste. This bitter sensation sends a message to the vagus nerve through the parasympathetic nervous system. This is important, because the parasympathetic nervous system oversees the entire digestive process. Digestive bitters stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the entire gastrointestinal system to process food. This happens by stimulating more digestive secretions to break down and absorb nutrients from our meals.

Emmenagogue:

In general, emmenagogues stimulate the flow of menstruation. It is important to remember that emmenagogues also nourish the blood and increase circulation. Without healthy blood, there is no menstruation. Emmenagogues revitalize the energy and flow of blood.

Energetics:

Warming + Slightly Drying

Medicinal Benefits:

Internal:

Lymph support

Immune System Support

Enhance Digestion

Sore Throats

Urinary Tract Support

Topical:

Dermatitis

Wounds

General Skin Repair

Eczema and Psoriasis

Cracked Skin

Sore Nipples from Breastfeeding

Cautions/Contraindications:

Calendula is generally regarded as safe and gentle enough for most people. I would extend caution for the use of internal Calendula remedies for those that are pregnant, as it does have an emmenagogue property and may stimulate blood flow and uterine contractions.

Dosage and Method of Delivery:

Tea: steep 2-3 tsp. per cup of hot water for 15 minutes.

Tincture: 1-2 droppersful, 2-3 times daily

Glycerin: 1-2 droppersful, 2-3 times daily

Topical: Crafted into an infused oil for massage or into a salve