Herb Profile: Calendula

One herb you may not be familiar with yet—but I certainly hope you will be—is calendula, a bright, sunny flower similar to marigolds. Calendula is easy to grow, especially when planted in clumps, leaving a trail of orange and yellow through a garden.

While calendula is native to southern Europe, it’s been naturalized all over North America, and is commonly found in gardens there. As with many herbs, calendula has a range of health, edible, and magical uses, making it a great addition to any kitchen or herbal stash.

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Please note: I am an herbalist—not a doctor. Always consult your doctor before trying out a new herb.

Calendula

Botanical name: Calendula officinalis

Other names: Pot marigold, gold bloom, holligold, common marigold, mary bud, ruddles

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, cholagogue, hemostatic, lymphatic, vulnerary.

Energetics: Warming, drying.

Plant description

Calendula is a herbaceous, flowering plant with daisy-like petals in yellow and orange. The leaves are round or elongated ovals and sprout in an upward spiral from the base of the plant.

Parts used

The flower’s aerial parts are used, including the flower head, petals, and leaves. Calendula can be used fresh or dried.

Harvesting

Calendula should be harvested in the morning after the day’s dew has dried. Time your harvesting for when flower heads are half open to ensure you retain the most nutrients.

Medicinal uses

Calendula is used widely as an external healing agent, including for burns, bruises, cuts, minor infections, inflammation. Its medicinal properties are found in the flower head.

Edible uses

While the leaves are bitter, they can be added to salad, as can the petals for a splash of color. The flower heads and petals can be used in tea; additionally, the blooms are a traditional yellow cheese colorant.

Magical uses

Calendula’s magical uses are diverse, including removing negative energy, protection, prophetic dreams, enhancing mental capabilities, giving strength to spells and enchantments, bringing confidence and respect, perceiving auras, lucid dreaming, and encouraging affection.

Folklore

Placing a wreath of calendula over your door will ward off evil, and a European legend says that stepping on calendula with bare feet allows a person to understand the language of birds.

Cautions

Those with sensitivity to other plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family may be sensitive to calendula as well. Additionally, ingesting large amounts of calendula may lead to sleepiness.

Additional notes

Calendula is a relatively new herb to me, but I already find myself so drawn to it. It’s a beautiful addition to a garden, but also to teas and herbal preparations, adding a little sparkle to whatever you’re making.

xoxo,

Catherine

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Herb Profile: Calendula