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 the chemists reading this, calendula contains these medicinal ingredients: amyrin, rutin, isoquercitrin, alendulin, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, narcissin, lupeol, sterols, and volatile oils. The flowers also have complex polysaccharides that stimulate the immune system.

Calendula Flowers have 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.

Calendula causes infections to heal better, more pain-free, and faster. It lessens the appearance of wrinkles and will hydrate skin when used in cosmetic creams. Sore throats are eased by gargling with calendula water or tea.

Calendula is also used to treat chronic ulcers, varicose veins, capillary engorgement, and congestion. You can eat the flowers so some like to add them to things like salads cereals, rice, or cooked foods for flavor and color.

You may purchase or prepare calendula as whole flowers at a bulk herb store. 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 one of the very safest of bulk herbs. Some with ragweed allergy have reacted to it but this is rare. Use of the tincture on wounds is not recommended since the alcohol base will burn the raw tissue. Since calendula may seal off the wounded area, be sure wounds are cleaned before applying calendula.