Herb Profile: Calendula is healing

Calendula, also known as ‘Pot Marigold’, is a healing herb made from the plant’s sunny orange or yellow flower petals.

Calendula infusion (tea) is useful in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders and problems such as ulcers, indigestion, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gall-bladder problems and worms.

As a blood cleanser, Calendula is a great helper in infectious hepatitis and other liver disorders, and blood in the urine.

Calendula ointment, made from oil-infused calendula petals, is excellent for healing varicose veins, phlebitis and edema, and for healing the skin including wounds, scalds and scrapes, eczema, foot fungus, and brown skin patches. Calendula is known to decrease scarring. Do not use on a wound such as an abscess that needs to drain, because it could heal over too quickly. Cooled infusion helps heal herpes.

As a poultice, Calendula is helpful in healing bruises, sprains or strains.

Calendula tea helps delayed menstruation and painful periods.

Calendula oil or ointment is ideal for babies’ skin problems such as diaper rash and cradle cap. It helps heal sore nipples in nursing mothers.

Well-strained infusion can be used to flush the eyes and treat conjunctivitis.

In the recent past, Calendula has been used to treat various cancers. Herbalist Susan Weed highly recommends infused Calendula oil for breast massage to prevent breast cancer. She found it to be excellent for treating breast ulcers. The Abbe Kneipp, among other well-known European doctors, believed Calendula to be a natural remedy for malignant growth. Dr. Bohn recommended daily drinking of Calendula tea for a prolonged period to treat inoperable cancer. Maria Treban found freshly pressed juice of Calendula to be effective at treating skin cancer and rough cancer-like brown patches. The boiled and cooled infusion heals glandular swellings.