Calendula – every home should have some!
Calendula is from the marigold plant and is prized by herbalist for its wide variety of uses. I always have some in the home for sun burn, bee stings, cuts and bruises in fact anything to do with the skin it is wonderful. Alan Slater – on our Board of Advisors has this to say about Calendula.
"Once upon a time I was a ‘normal’ vet and I considered myself open-minded as long as the therapy was ‘scientific’. I then had a horse that had removed a two inch square of skin [down to the bone] over the fetlock joint. I spent 2 weeks making it worse with conventional medicine, antibiotics galore, washes and powders. After this time it was infected and stinking.
I mentioned this to another vet in the practice who said use Calendula lotion. I said “that won’t work – that’s homeopathic!” actually it is not it is herbal; shows you what I knew at the time. However, despite my total disbelief in herbs, he prevailed so I gave the client some Calendula lotion.
Three days later I went out to visit the horse [to prove to myself it hadn’t worked]. There was no infection. In fact there was no hole, just a tiny scar-I was furious! How dare this non scientific mumbo jumbo work?
I then started using calendula on every wound I saw and was convinced of its efficacy. This was enhanced when I burnt my hand down to the bone when I threw an ‘empty’ methylated spirits bottle onto a bonfire and the plastic jetted across my right hand. The little finger was a very strange shape and colour. I put on calendula as I was scared that if I went to the doctor he would remove the finger- yes it was that bad. In two weeks the finger was normal, with normal hair, nerves and skin. It stayed a bit red for about 6 years but that was it.
The main problem with calendula is that it is too good. If the wound is infected then calendula heals up the skin and seals in the infection resulting in an abscess. For this reason I use the lotion neat as 45% alcohol will clean most wounds; it also stings like mad and my clients hate me then.
I have never forgotten my utterance then and any time anyone suggests something strange I tend to keep my mouth shut- or at least I try to - and wait and see."
Its uses however go far beyond just the skin. Juliette de Bairacli, author of the book “The Complete Herbal Handbook For The Dog and Cat” has this to say abut Calendula. "The flowers possess important restorative powers over the arteries and veins, and thus are much fed by the Arabs to their racing horses and the flowers are fed also to make miserable and fretting animals cheerful".
Carol Lizotte of Green Gems Herbals in New Hampshire USA had this to say, "I consider calendula one of the most gentle and valuable lymphatic herbs we have and certainly the best skin herb I have found" She goes on to quote examples of her work using Caledula mixed with other herbs for reducing cysts, mixed with Comfrey for deep skin and muscle wounds".
The flowers have been used to improve digestion, treat colitis, and also prevent yeast and fungal infections. Others have used it a compress for infected sores, burns, cuts etc. It has even been used as an eye wash by straining calendual tea through coffee filters and adding a pinch of unrefined see salt.
It has been used by many as protection for the skin during radiation treatment to avoid burning of the skin.
It is little wonder that the International Herb Association has this year nominated Calendula as their named herb of the year.
At the very least you should get some Calendual / Comfrey cream for your household first aid kit.