Calendula

Calendula is also known as marigold, pot-marigold and sometimes daisy. The botanical name Calendula officinalis originates from Latin calends, meaning the first day of the month, describing well the plant near regular flowering habit. The plant belongs to the Asteraceae family. The parts used in natural medicine are usually the flowers. Still, the stems, younger leaves, seeds, and roots also have medicinal properties.

In the past, the flower usage rates back from Ayurvedic medicine, where it was mainly used for wound healing, digestive problems, and promoting sexual health in women. Moreover, "calendula has been etched in certain oldest medical scripts for cleansing toxins in the gallbladder and liver and was prescribed to treat associated digestive disorders". Calendula is indigenous to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. The plant's medicinal value has been recognised and respected since ancient times. The plant was also popular among the Greeks, Indians and Arabic cultures.

Calendula officinalis belongs to the Asteraceae family and indicated for several conditions, either as a first-aid such as burns and bug bite, acute: abrasion, candidiasis, bleeding, and chronic such as dysmenorrhea, pain; breast, colon, intestine, skin, stomach and uterus cancers. The plant's central actions can be resumed but not limited to antimicrobial, wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. This herb can also help with the immune system and contains antioxidants and fat-lowering compounds.

The current usage of Calendula is very similar to the past. Some modern uses include diaper rasher, gum inflammation, ear infection and cancer radiation treatment. Nevertheless, the application and formulation of Calendula seem to differ significantly from its old forms. The ancient Romans used the flowers topically and directly on injuries. During the second war, the flowers used to be dabbed directly on the wounds to promote fast healing. Similarly, the flowers and ointments were used therapeutically by Hildegard von Bingen. In contrast, nowadays, flowers are used in tinctures, oils, emulsions, sprays, creams and lotions for wound healing.

If you would like to learn how to use Calendula balms and tinctures for healing, book a consultation with an integrative health practitioner.

REFERENCES

Arora, D., Rani, A., & Sharma, A. (2013). A review on phytochemistry and ethnopharmacological aspects of genus Calendula. Pharmacognosy reviews, 7(14), 179–187. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.120520