Calendula Flowers Fight Infection

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as pot marigold, pot calendula, Holligold, Garden Marigold, Gold-Bloom, Marigold, Marybud, and Zergul, has a beautiful orange or yellow flower. The plant is native to the Mediterranean area.

Calendula's name comes from the word calendar because it blooms every new moon. "Marigold" refers to the Virgin Mary. The flower is often used in Catholic events that honor her. When you think of marigold, don't think of the annual flowers from your garden. That is probably either French marigold or African marigold and is a totally different species.

For those who like the technical facts, calendula contains these medicinal ingredients: calendulin, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, isoquercitrin, narcissin, rutin, amyrin, lupeol, sterols, and volatile oils. The flowers also contain complex polysaccharides with properties that stimulate immunity.

Calendula has both internal and external benefits. Internally, calendula is especially beneficial in treating gastrointestinal disorders. It protects the lining of the intestines and stomach by weakening the causes of inflammation and swelling, and by limiting the effects of the bacteria associated with gastritis, stomach cancer, and peptic ulcers. Calendula has been effective to sooth stomach ulcers and inflammation. It also fights fever, boils, abscesses, and recurrent vomiting.

Calendula's orange petals contain the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory secrets that make it effective externally. These two A's have put calendula into the forefront of treatment for various infections. For example, some find it more effective in treating ear infections than leading prescription drugs. Calendula tea makes a great eye wash for those suffering from chronic conjunctivitis (pink eye). As an ointment, it attacks the bacteria causing swelling and thus will soothe inflammation. It is also used to treat vaginal itching caused by menopausal tissue changes, insect bites, eczema, diaper rash, acne, hemorrhoids, burns, scalds, and sunburn.

By using this herb on infections, healing is more pain-free, better, and faster when calendula is used. Cosmetic creams containing calendula decrease the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate skin. Gargling with calendula water or tea has helped ease the pain of a sore throat.

In addition, calendula is used to treat capillary engorgement, chronic ulcers, varicose veins, and congestion. Calendula flowers are edible, and may be added to salads cereals, rice, and soups to add flavor and color. The petals can also be dried for use in teas as mentioned above.

You may purchase or prepare calendula as a cream, tea, tincture, infusion, compress, or wash. The recipe for making calendula tea is to simply pour about a cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of calendula flowers and let it sit for 15 minutes. You can take up to three cups of calendula tea per day. The tincture is made by soaking a cup of flowers in .5 quarts of rectified alcohol for five to six weeks. Five to fifteen drops may be taken with water or tea three times a day. The salve is made by boiling one ounce of dried flowers or leaves in one ounce of lard.

Calendula is a very safe herb but a few cautions are in order. Be especially sure wounds are clean before applying calendula. If you have ragweed allergy, be cautious as some have also experienced allergic reactions to calendula. The alcohol in the calendula tincture will burn the raw tissue of wounds. It would be better to use a different form of the herb.

By Susannah Singer