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Calendula Benefits and Uses: Plus 16 DIY Recipes

March 16, 2016 By: Anna18 Comments

calendula benefits and uses

Calendula is my go to flower in the summer.  Behind those cheery yellow and orange blossoms is a whole lot of awesome calendula benefits.  Calendula has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that aid in healing so many aliments.  So, let’s jump right in and you will see why I love this plant. And as an added bonus,  I included 16 different DIY product recipes that you can make yourself right now.

Let’s get started.

Calendula Benefits and Uses:

Some History:

Calendula has been used since at least the 12th Century for a variety of aliments such as treating stomach upset, stomach ulcers, and menstrual cramps. The Romans used the juice from the fresh flowers to cure warts, jaundice, measles and small pox. Additionally, calendula balms and creams were used in the Civil and First World War as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agents.

It is known for:

Healing Burns, Diaper Rash, Cuts, and Bruises

Calendula applies to the skin can help heal bruises, burns, diaper rash and wounds.  In fact, a 2011 study confirmed that calendula extracts applied to rats’ wounds healed faster.

Reducing Throat and Neck Radiation Effects:

Calendula helps to reduce throat and neck radiation effects.  In a 2013 study, subjects gargled with a 2% calendula formula while undergoing radiation for neck and head cancer. The study found that the solution helped reduce damage to the mucuous membranes of the throat.

How to grow calendula

Helping with Insomnia

The tincture is used in homeopathy for the treatment of insomnia and mental tension.

Preventing Dermatitis for Breast Cancer Radiation:

Breast cancer radiation can cause dermatitis.  A 2004 study revealed that dermatitis was significantly reduced when calendula was used versus a topical application, trolamine.

Reducing Ear infection (otitis media) Pain:

If you have ever had an ear infection, then you know how painful it is.  A 2001 study showed that a homeopathic remedy which contained calendula as an ingredient was beneficial to alleviate ear pain.

Reducing Blood Sugar:

Insulin resistance has become an epidemic.  A 2001 study revealed that calendula delays gastric emptying in mice and thus lowered blood sugar.

Alleviated Ulcer & Gastritis Symptoms:

A 1981 study revealed that an herb remedy which included calendula quickly reduced problems related to digestion and palpitations in patients with ulcers or gastroduodenitis.

Moreover, a German study found the herb reduces hormonal reaction that produces swelling of the stomach lining. According to Phyllis Balch, author of the book, “Prescription of Natural Healing,” using calendula may counteract Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium associated with both gastritis and peptic ulcers.

Food Allergies:

Calendula prevents overgrowth of candida in the bowel, which in turn helps reduce food allergies.

Bowel Disease:

Calendula helps reduce inflammation and pain in the bowels.  It also relaxes the digestive muscles to help with the bowels.

Conjunctivitis:

Calendula has been used to heal conjunctivitis.  In addition, the tea is used as an eye wash.

Consideration for Use:

Balch advises due to the cumulative nature of  the anti-bacterial toxins in calendula, it is advisable to use the herb no more than the earlier of  2 weeks or  after the symptoms have subsided.  Wait six weeks before resuming the use of the herb.

In addition, when taken internally, calendula can increase the sedative effect of medication taken for anxiety and insomnia.

Moreover, if you have a sensitivity to ragweed, you may have a sensitivity to calendula since they are in the same plant family.

Recipes to Make Your Own Calendula Ointments, Salves, etc.

Calendula Salve Recipe

Now that you have hopped on the calendula benefits train, here are 16 recipes for you to try.

  • Calendula Lotion Bars–The Nerdy Farm Wife
  • Boo Boo Balm–The Nerdy Farm Wife
  • A Natural Remedy for Irritated Eyes–The Nerdy Farm Wife
  • Calendula Oil Salve–The Nerdy Farm Wife
  • DIY Natural Neosporin–Purposefully Simple
  • Calendula Tincture— Cheshire Fields
  • Self Care DIY Bath Crystals with Herbs–Studio Botanica
  • Herbal Bathing–Brew Yourself a Tub Tea–Studio Botanica
  • Self Care and Vaginal Steams–Studio Botanica
  • Soothe Your Skin with Herbs–Studio Botanica
  • Calendula Sugar Scrub–Homespun Seasonal Living
  • DIY Skin Toner and Bath Soak–It Takes Time
  • An Herbal Deodorant that Works Finally–Herbal Academy of New England.
  • Calendula Infused Facial Toner–Growing Up Herbal
  • Herbal Sinus Infusion Using Calendula–Fresh Eggs Daily
  • Calendula Lip Balm–The Free Range Life

(PS If you are thinking of making your own herbal remedies,  Jan of the Nerdy Farm Wife just wrote  the book, 101 Healthy Products for Skin, Health and Home.)

If you are just looking to make the tea, HERE is a recipe to follow.

Where to Buy Calendula:

If you don’t want to grow it, you can buy it from me at Anna Lee Herbs. I sell both the petals and the entire flower.

I grow calendula from seed, harvest it and dry it on the farm.  All packages are vacuumed sealed for freshness.

So what are you waiting for?  Go make some balm!

(PS There are a ton of other great herbs at Anna Lee Herbs that are waiting for you to whip into a product, sprinkle on your food,  or make a nice herbal cup of tea. Don’t keep them waiting.)

****As always, the information provided above has not been approved by the FDA and it is not intended for medical purpose.  Many of these studies were conducted with small control groups.  Please consult your medical doctor or holistic practitioner before taking any herb especially if you are pregnant and/or nursing.****

Can I Ask a Favor?

Please pin and share this article via your social media channels so everyone can learn why calendula is so awesome? Thanks from the bottom of my garden boots!

 

Join the Conversation:

Do you use calendula?

Sources:

Arora, D., Rani, A., & Sharma, A. (2013). A review on phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Calendula. Pharmacognosy Reviews Phcog Rev,7(14), 179. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229067785_Review_on_Pharmacological_Update_Calendula_officinalis_Linn.

Babaee, N., Moslemi, D., Khalilpour, M., Vejdani, F., Moghadamnia, Y., Bijani, A., . . . Moghadamnia, A. A. (2013). Antioxidant capacity of calendula officinalis flowers extract and prevention of radiation induced oropharyngeal mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers: A randomized controlled clinical study. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences DARU,21(1), 18. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/750/art%3A10.1186%2F2008-2231-21-18.pdf?originUrl=http://darujps.biomedcentral.com/article/10.1186/2008-2231-21-18&token2=exp=1458151639~acl=/static/pdf/750/art%253A10.1186%252F2008-2231-21-18.pdf*~hmac=5dffbb19131c27edb2d77537671ca352474a8082712dfe562a957b36e451f039.

Balch, J. F., & Balch, P. A., (2002). Prescription for herbal healing. New York, NY: Avery.

Chakŭrski, I., Matev, M., Stefanov, G., Koĭchev, A., & Angelova, I. (1981). Treanntment of duodenal ulcers and gastroduodenitis with a herbal combination of Symphitum officinalis and Calendula officinalis with and without antacids. Vutr Boles,20, 44-47. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/7336704.

Ehrlich, S. D. (2015, June 15). Calendula. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/calendula.

Parente, L., & Andrade, M. (2011). Angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis flowers L. in rats. Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 26(1), 19-24, 26(1), 19-24. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-86502011000100005&lng=en&tlng=en

Pommier, P. (2004). Phase III Randomized Trial of Calendula Officinalis Compared With Trolamine for the Prevention of Acute Dermatitis During Irradiation for Breast Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology,22(8), 1447-1453. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12728112.

Sarrell, E. M., Mandelberg, A., & Cohen, H. A. (2001). Efficacy of Naturopathic Extracts in the Management of Ear Pain Associated With Acute Otitis Media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 155(7), 796. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12728112.

Yoshikawa, M., Murakami, T., Kishi, A., Kageura, T., & Matsuda, H. (2001). Medicinal Flowers. III. Marigold. (1): Hypoglycemic, Gastric Emptying Inhibitory, and Gastroprotective Principles and New Oleanane-Type Triterpene Oligoglycosides, Calendasaponins A, B, C, and D, from Egyptian Calendula officinalis. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin,49(7), 863-870. Retrieved March 15, 2015, from https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/cpb/49/7/49_7_863/_pdf.

Disclaimer:  There may be affiliate links in this article.  Thanks for helping Green Talk to keep pumping out great content.  (Oh–and thanks for helping with my plant obsession.)

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Michelle says

    March 16, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    Thank you! Love this! What an awesome collection of recipes.

    Reply
    • 2

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 16, 2016 at 3:27 pm

      Michelle, thank you for the tincture recipe! Anna

      Reply
  2. 3

    linda spiker says

    March 17, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Wonderful salve recipe! Pinned.

    Reply
    • 4

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 17, 2016 at 8:32 pm

      Linda, thanks!

      Reply
  3. 5

    Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    March 17, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    I love calendula! It’s one of my favorites to have on hand in tincture form and also in oil form.

    Reply
    • 6

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 17, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Emily, I love it too. What do you use the tincture for? Anna

      Reply
  4. 7

    beth says

    March 17, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    We have been battling diaper rash after a bout of Hand, Foot, and Mouth. I will try mixing some calendula in with my normal homemade diaper rash cream. I hope it helps!

    Reply
    • 8

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 17, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Beth, I hope your little one feels better. Anna

      Reply
  5. 9

    Karen says

    March 17, 2016 at 6:08 pm

    What a detailed info! Thx Anna. Love the round up of DIY posts too!

    Reply
    • 10

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 17, 2016 at 8:32 pm

      Karen, I learn from the master. (That would be you.) Back up your source. 🙂

      Reply
  6. 11

    Elaina says

    March 17, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    Awesome! It sounds like such a good flower to have on hand. I want to get some dried to infuse in a carrier oil for some DIY recipes! 🙂

    Reply
    • 12

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 17, 2016 at 10:12 pm

      Awesome idea, Elaina. If you need any dried flowers, check out my shop. Anna

      Reply
  7. 13

    Megan Stevens says

    March 20, 2016 at 9:28 am

    I had no idea of all the uses! Thank you for this education and the photos!

    Reply
  8. 14

    Renee Kohley says

    March 20, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Ooo thank you! I am keeping these recipes pinned for later!

    Reply
    • 15

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 20, 2016 at 8:26 pm

      Renee, thanks for pinning for later. Anna

      Reply
  9. 16

    Chef Steph says

    June 10, 2016 at 12:28 am

    Thank u sooo much. Very informative info. Can’t wait to make salve for my mom that has RA and also for me and my kids…. yeee hawww im so excited

    Reply
    • 17

      Anna@Green Talk says

      June 10, 2016 at 7:30 am

      I sell it in my Etsy shop if you want to buy it. https://www.etsy.com/listing/227078598/calendula-flowers?ref=shop_home_active_18 Anna

      Reply
  10. 18

    Liz says

    October 18, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    Great Post! Thank you for sharing. I love Calendula. I infused some in some Avocado Oil earlier this year and have been using it in most of my projects.

    Reply

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