Calendula
Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis
Taste: Floral, astringent
Mizaj: Cooling
Family: Aster/Daisy family
Actions: heals wounds, antimicrobial, detoxifying, mildly estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, relieves muscle spasms, astringent, prevents hemorrhaging, stimulates the immune system, promotes collagen production.
Therapeutic Uses:
- Skin Irritations
- A cleanser for the liver and gallbladder
- Aid for chronic digestive conditions - Gastritis, peptic ulcers, regional ileitis, colitis, intestinal colitis, GERD, esophageal irritation, peptic ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Soothes cramps due to constipation/menstruation
- Oral health: plaques, gingivitis, cavities,
- Aids menstrual flow and also induces menstruation
Dosage/Applications:
- Infusions - drink 3⁄4 cup (150 ml) 3 times a day for chronic fungal infections (e.g., thrush, ringworms). Also for period/menstrual pain & complaints, as well as the inflammation of the esophagus and stomach.
- Tinctures- up to 30 drops of water three times a day for conditions like eczema. It also helps with stagnant liver problems and related conditions like missing periods and digestive sluggishness.
- Compress - varicose veins and wound healing.
- Mouthwash - gum disease and mouth ulcers.
- Ointments/Creams - minor burns, cuts, grazes sore nipples from breastfeeding, scalds & sunburn.
- Infused oils - inflamed skin, vaginal yeast infection (made with 2-3 drops of calendula and tea tree oil, used 1-2 times a day). Calendula oil can also be added to bathwater for nervous disorders and mood-uplifting regimens.
References:
Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments. DK, 2016.
Davis, Claude, et al. The Lost Book of Remedies. Edited by Claude Davis et al., Global Brother, 2018.
Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. Dorling Kindersley, 1993.
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