Herb Calendula

Over on my Blogster Blog we have brought back studying herbs on the first Thursday of the month. Since I have quite a few posts here already on herbs, I decided to post here as well. Check my labels for herbs from posts I brought over from my Yahoo 360 and Multiply blogging days. I checked and there is one also for calendula with recipes.

I apologize for the smaller script, but I copy and pasted from my other blog and it is not wanting to be enlarged

I love calendula so I thought I would share information about calendula today. Acutally I have been wanting to make up a calendula soap but have not been able to locate an essential oil, rather what seems available is calendula in an oil-and that is something we can make ourselves.

Mountain Rose Herbs of Oregon is an excellent source of information and a great source to purchase all kinds of organic things too. Information below is taken from them:

Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold or garden marigold, has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritations. Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed  skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin. Plus, it stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites to help minimize scarring and assist with stretch marks. This versatile botanical can be incorporated into baths, creams, compresses, washes, salves, ointments, massage oils, baths, facial steams, tinctures, and teas. It is also gentle enough to use for babies, children, or animals. Internally,gargling with Calendula infused water may ease a sore throat, sores in the mouth, and inflammations in the mouth and throat.

Not only is Calendula a wonderful healing and medicinal herb, but it is also a lovely and useful plant in the garden!  Calendula repels many common garden pests including aphids, eelworms, asparagus beetles, and tomato hornworms, and is a companion plant for potatoes, beans, and lettuce. Plus, it grows quickly and is easy to cultivate from seed.  The fresh vibrant petals can be used to color butter, cheese, custards, sauces, or sprinkled atop salads, cakes, and sandwiches.

Calendula infused oil is simple to prepare and has many medicinal and cosmetic uses.

This medicinal oil is simple to prepare and has so many uses. The gentle, soothing, and healing oil is perfect for cradle cap, diaper rash, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, and sore or inflamed muscles. The oil can be used alone, or incorporated into salves, massage oils, lip balms, ointments, creams, and lotions.

Organic Olive oil
Organic Calendula flowers

1. Place Calendula flowers in a clean, dry glass jar. If using fresh Calendula, wilt for 12 hours to remove most of the moisture (too much moisture will cause the oil to go rancid) before adding to the jar. Pour olive oil into the jar, making sure to cover the flowers by at least 1” of oil so they will have space to expand. Stir well and cap the jar tightly.
2. Place the jar in a warm, sunny windowsill and shake once or more per day.
3. After 4-6 weeks, strain the herbs out using cheesecloth. Pour the infused oil into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place. 

More information and recipes from here and also at another site I found good information heretoo on calendula

Above oil recipe can be used as is or made into salves, lip balms, and added to soaps and more. It is a very soothing dried herb in a bath tea as well.

Calendula is wonderful in the garden, it is bright and cheery and works like marigolds in keeping some garden pests at bay.

Calendula flowers are also an edible flower, so can be added to salads and recipes.

Calendula makes a beautiful herb vinegar, which can also be used for the rinse in the laundry, or as a hair rinse after shampooing.is also good to use after a sunburn.  Here is a link on how to make an infused vinegar.

I close with one more link with more information and recipes for calendula here