Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
- Laura Van Horn
- Sep 23, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 18
The Sunshine Herb
Calendula officinalis, or simply calendula, also referred to as pot marigold, despite not being a marigold (genus Tagetes), is a botanical pot of gold with a rich history and a wide range of medicinal uses. Calendula is an herbaceous resinous, aromatic in the Asteraceae family (aster family). The blooms range from a golden yellow to a most brilliant orange and will bloom continuously through the growing season.
Etymology, History & Folklore
The name "calendula" itself is a window into the herb's captivating past. Derived from the Latin word "kalendae," meaning "the first," calendula is intricately tied to the concept of time. In Roman culture, "kalendae" referred to the first day of every month and marked the beginning of a new lunar phase, laying the foundation for our modern word "calendar." Calendula's unique botanical behavior added to its allure—it often blooms in synchrony with the calendar, notably during the first of the summer months or during the new moon.
In medieval England, calendula became "marigold" or "Mary’s Gold," a name born from reverence for the Virgin Mary. Christians saw her purity reflected in these golden flowers, a fitting tribute to her honor. The name endured, linking the herb to faith and devotion.
Its cultivation began in earnest with St. Hildegard of Bingen, an 11th-century German nun and herbalist who praised its healing virtues. By the 1600s, the Dutch embraced calendula in both medicine and cooking. Dried leaves flavored broths in their markets, earning it the title "pot marigold." Its edible flowers and leaves remain a simple blessing—adding color to soups or salads and even serving as a natural dye, a craft seeing renewed interest today.
Calendula carries tales from ages past. The French believed staring at its blooms could strengthen eyesight. In times of sickness, people hung its flowers by doors or placed them under beds to guard against disease and evil—an old custom that echoes truth, given calendula’s ability to fight infection.
Calendula Cultivation
Native to Eurasia, calendula grows across the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It’s a hardy plant, easy to tend even for beginners. Harvest its flowers on a warm summer day, after the dew dries, when their healing resins peak. Dry them by hanging, using a low-heat dehydrator, or freeze-drying if you can. Flowers that fade in drying lose some potency, so aim to preserve their color.
Calendula Energetics and Actions
Energetically, calendula leans towards warmth, although it also exhibits some cooling effects. This balance of warmth and dryness contributes to its broad range of applications. Calendula's warming nature can help dispel cold stagnation in the body, while its drying quality aids in addressing damp conditions. This is one dynamic and helpful plant!
Vulnerary & Antimicrobial
Calendula is known for its wound-healing abilities, promoting tissue regeneration both externally and internally. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties make it effective for treating cuts, scrapes, stings, bruises, and even stubborn wounds. Studies show that calendula ointments significantly accelerate wound healing compared to standard saline dressings. Internally, long-infused calendula tea can help heal ulcers due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its antifungal nature extends to scalp health, helping to reduce dandruff when used in washes or ointments.
Lymphagogue
As a powerful lymphagogue, calendula stimulates lymphatic flow, aiding in detoxification. It helps address lymphatic congestion, which can manifest as bloating, swollen glands, breast cysts, and skin conditions like eczema. By encouraging the movement of stagnant lymph, calendula promotes the removal of toxins, enhances immune function, and supports the body’s natural detox pathways.
Alterative
Alteratives support the elimination of toxins, making calendula especially beneficial for the liver, bowels, skin, and lymphatic system. When feeling sluggish, fatigued, or struggling with post-illness recovery, calendula’s detoxifying properties can help restore vitality. As a bitter tonic, it stimulates liver function and bile production, preventing stagnation and potential infections.
Astringent
Calendula’s astringent properties gently constrict and tighten tissues, making it invaluable for wound care. It helps draw wound edges together, accelerating healing while reducing excessive scar formation. It is particularly useful for inflamed wounds with swelling, pus, or redness. Herbalist Matthew Wood describes calendula as working from the inside out, cleansing tissues and promoting deep healing. Calendula hydrosol is also an excellent remedy for soothing sunburned skin.
Inflammation Modulator
Rich in triterpenes, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, calendula effectively modulates inflammation. It is especially beneficial for gastrointestinal inflammation, joint pain, eczema, and autoimmune conditions. By soothing mucosal membranes in the GI tract, calendula helps reduce systemic inflammation and supports digestive health. Its anti-inflammatory action also extends to swollen lymph nodes and post-injury swelling, aiding in overall recovery.
Immune Tonic
By keeping lymph flowing and blood cleansed, calendula bolsters immunity. While many authors describe calendula as "antibacterial" which can imply that it is "bacteriocidal" it is more accurately characterized as "bacteriostatic." Calendula does not directly attack and kill microbes, rather, it contains them and inhibits their spread and infiltration. By keeping the lymphatic system active and blood cleansed, calendula enhances the immune system's ability to surveil and protect the body. This heightened efficiency contributes to the body's capacity to fend off infections.
How to use Calendula
Tea
Steep 1-3 tsp dried flowers per cup of hot water. For better flavor, blend with sage, fennel, or chamomile—I’m sipping one now with linden and a touch of honey, a comforting warmth on a cold day.
Gut Tea Blend
2 parts calendula
2 parts plantain
1 part linden
pinch of fennel seeds
Steep 2-3 tsp of this mix per cup of hot water for 10–15 minutes. Strain and enjoy
Tincture
Infuse fresh calendula flowers in 95% (190 proof) alcohol or dried flowers in 70% (140 proof). Let it sit for 4–6 weeks, shaking occasionally, then strain. Use as a liniment by applying directly to the skin, or dilute 1 dropperful (about 20–30 drops) in water or tea daily for GI support.
Infused Oil
Calendula yields a golden oil perfect for moisturizing dry skin, soothing salves, or soaps. To make it, fill a jar halfway with dried flowers, cover with a carrier oil (like olive or almond), and let it infuse for at least 4 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and store in a labeled dark bottle.
Salve
Turn the infused oil into a soothing salve; combine with plantain for a trusted wound healer.
Skin Soothing Salve
1 part dried calendula
1 part wilted or dried plantain
carrier oil (e.g., coconut or babassu)
beeswax (1:4 ratio of beeswax to infused oil)
frankincense essential oil: 0.5-1% dilution (optional, 3-5 drops per oz of oil)
Infuse the herbs in oil as above, strain, and then melt beeswax into the oil. Remove from heat, add essential oil if using, stir, and pour into tins to cool. Be sure to label.
Hydrosol
Calendula hydrosol, a byproduct of steam-distilling the flowers, can replace water in lotions, soaps, or room sprays. It’s also a blessing for the skin—spray it directly on the face to calm acne or ease minor cuts and scrapes.
Safety & Contraindications
If you’re allergic to the aster family, avoid calendula or test it carefully. It’s widely regarded as safe, with no toxicity noted, a blessing for common use. Yet some caution against it in early pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please do your due diligence before using any herb or medication.
Final Thoughts
Calendula truly earns its title as the "Sunshine Herb," offering a wealth of benefits for wound healing, lymphatic support, and inflammation modulation. Whether used in teas, tinctures, or salves, this golden-hued plant is a valuable herb for your home apothecary.
References
Easley, Thomas; Horne, Steven. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory A Medicine-Making Guide, North Atlantic Books, 2016
Tilgner, Sharol Marie. Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth Update Third Edition, Wise Acres LLC, 2020
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