Calendula officinalis
Calendula has a gorgeous flower, is widely cultivated in gardens, self seeds and is easy to grow.
Calendula flowers are Edible raw in salads or dried and used as seasoning – they can be used as saffron substitute for colour but not taste and a Tea can be made from the petals. The leaves are edible but bitter and unpalatable.
Its Medicinal and Healing – Caledula leaves and flowers can be used to treat so many skin and muscular issues. Easily picked and used directly off the plant or made into a tea, infused oil, salve, compress or poultice.
Here is SIX BIG Reasons why this healing plant should be included in your garden.
Skin Diseases, Cuts, Rashes, Wounds, Burns, Cold Sores, Herpes:. Calendula leaves and flowers are soothing to the skin and can be used to treat all kinds of skin problems like acne, sunburn, and rashes including diaper rash. The leaves make a healing poultice for minor cuts, scratches, bites and skin irritations.
You can place the bruised leaves directly on the skin. The leaves soothe inflamed skin and help it heal. The leaves and flowers have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-viral effects as well as being an immuno-stimulant. To treat skin infections including ringworm, athletes foot, thrush, diaper rash and cradle cap. Calendula oil or salve is most effective when applied to the affected area several times a day.
Anti Aging and Collagen Production: Calendula stimulates the immune system, induces collagen production and inhibits collagen degradation. Calendula can be incorporated into a face cream and there are numerous DIY recipies available on the internet.
Soothes Muscle Spasms: Calendula relaxes muscles and can prevent spasms. Calendul Tea treats and relieves constipation and menstrual cramping. It is also effective in relieving body aches and pains due to muscle spasms.
Improves Oral Health: Calendula has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties and treats gingivitus, plaque, oral cavities and many other oral health issues.
Liver, Gall Bladder and Whole Body Detoxification: Calendula helps remove toxins from the body and helps cleanse the liver and gall bladder. The detoxification properties also have a positive effect on the skin and helps clear up chronic skin problems such as eczema and acne caused by the body’s efforts to rid itself of toxins. For detoxification, try an internal calendula extract.
Inhibits Cancer: Calendula has anti-inflamatory properties which aid the body in fighting cancer as well as irritaions caused by cancer teatments. It activated the lymphatic system against the cancer and helps kill off the cancer cells. It also effectively soothes the skin after radiation treatments.
Harvesting Calendula officinalis:
Cut the flowering tops off as they appear. This enables a better development of the root. In the first year, many young plants do not flower but produce a crop of luxuriant leaves.
HARVEST Roots in Autumn: Dig deeply to get the entire root system, planting some back for future harvests. Slice root into small sections and dry for future use.
Much of the wisdom written on this page was discovered through reading a fabulous book called The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies written by Nicole Apelian, Ph.D & Claude Davis.