Natural Society | January 29 2013
Calendula officinalis is a plant most often used to brighten up a garden or flower bed. It’s a popular choice because it’s pretty and is super easy to grow. But, what many people don’t know is that their pretty garden-addition is a valuable herbal remedy.
Calendula, also known as “pot marigolds” are usually a bright golden color. It is often mistaken for “common marigold” or Mexican marigold, which are very different and are members of the Tagetes genus. They don’t offer the same medicinal benefits as calendula, so it’s crucial when looking for the herbal remedy that you know what you are after.
The flowers of Calendula have been used for centuries for a variety of ailments and health problems. Some of those benefits include:
- Wound healing
- Burn soothing
- Immune boosting
- Collagen regeneration
- Anti-inflammatory
- Liver, gallbladder, and uterine tonic
- Anti-fungal
- Rash soothing
- Calming scrapes, cuts, bites, and other minor wounds
- General skincare
Calendula officinalis also has antimicrobial, antiviral, and astringent properties, and is a go-to skin treatment for many herbalists.
“Calendula is such a soothing and calming skin herb when used topically,” says herbalist Dawn Marie Dillon of Breathless Beauty. “I use Calendula in every baby soap and salve I make.”