3 Simple Uses for Calendula Leaves
- 1. Salad I had a little nibble of the leaves today as I was gardening. They go really well mixed into a salad.
- 2. Cooked Green A common name for calendula is pot marigold, because people used to throw the the leaves in the cooking pot as a spinach alternative. ...
- 3. Poultice
How to make homemade Calendula healing salve?
The method for preparing calendula healing salve is simple:
- Decide on the amount of salve you wish to prepare. ...
- Measure and weigh your oil and beeswax and add to the double boiler.
- Warm gently until the beeswax has fully melted and is fully mixed with the oil. ...
- At this point you can add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture. ...
How to make Calendula extract at home?
- Upon harvesting the flowers, bring them indoors — away from direct sunlight.
- Do NOT wash the flower heads.
- Pack your glass jar full of flower heads.
- Pour vodka to cover plant material entirely. ...
- Place in a warm (not hot), sunny location for at least 14 days. ...
What is Calendula used for?
I frequently use calendula in:
- homemade lotion
- homemade lotion bars
- healing salve
- baby care recipes like diaper cream and baby powder
- homemade shampoo and conditioner
- calendula tea (used topically, internally, or as a mouthwash)
- sprinkled on a salad (calendula is high in beta-carotene and flavonoids!)
- in soap (to soothe irritated skin)
- to get rid of stretch marks
- as a natural food dye
What are the medical uses of Calendula officinalis?
- The tea made from Calendula stimulates the bile movements from bladder.
- Its tea helps in the detoxification of free radicals.
- The tea promotes urination.
See more
What can I do with fresh calendula?
They're distinctly different, and not nearly as medicinal in nature. Sprinkle fresh or dried calendula blossom petals on top of salads (or any dish really) as a cheerful pop of color! They also make a beautiful and tasty addition to scrambled eggs, frittata, summer salsa, or even in soup!
Can you eat fresh calendula?
Calendula flowers or just the petals can be used for culinary purposes. The leaves and petals of this plant are edible. The leaves are typically bitter and often are added to leafy salads. The fresh petals are used as a garnish, seasoning, or a traditional yellow cheese colorant.
Can you use the whole calendula flower?
In addition to using whole petals, Calendula flowers can be ground into powder or made into oils, creams, and ointments.
How do you use calendula from the garden?
Calendula infused oil can be massaged directly onto dry, irritated skin or used as an ingredient in recipes for salves, diaper balm, lotions, creams, soaps, and lotion bars. Shelf life of strained, infused oil is around 1 year.
Can I use fresh calendula for tea?
To make a tea that soothes internal mucous membranes, add calendula flowers to water in a ratio of a tablespoon of fresh or two teaspoons of dried flowers to a cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer or allow to steep for 10 minutes.
Can you drink calendula as a tea?
Calendula, a flowering plant also known as pot marigold, can be served as a tea or used as an ingredient in various herbal formulations. While the tea is made by steeping the flowers in boiling water, the extract is derived from both the flowers and the leaves ( 1 ).
Which part of calendula is medicinal?
dried petalsThe dried petals of the calendula plant are used in tinctures, ointments, and washes to treat burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause. Calendula also has been shown to help prevent dermatitis or skin inflammation in people with breast cancer during radiation therapy.
Who shouldnt use calendula?
Avoid calendula if you're allergic to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Don't use calendula if you're pregnant or breastfeeding — not enough is known to be sure it is safe. Avoid taking calendula orally at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery, since it can cause drowsiness.
Who should not take calendula?
If you're allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, you shouldn't use calendula. You also should not use calendula if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do you wash calendula before drying?
Put the blossoms still attached to their stems and leaves into a large bowl filled with clean cold water. Swish, let the dirt settle, lift up the calendula, and empty the water. Repeat this step at least one more time or until the water runs clean. Place the calendula on a towel to dry.
How do you prepare calendula?
Pour olive oil over the calendula petals, making sure to cover the petals by at least 1 inch. Secure the lid and allow the petals to infuse at room temperature for 4- 6 weeks. Shake or stir the jar daily. After 4-6 weeks, strain the petals from the oil.
How long does calendula last as a cut flower?
*Spring sowings will take 10 – 12 weeks to flower. In the vase calendula will last about a week… try it with Cornflowers 'Blue Ball'…'Black Ball' Cosmos 'purity' & Ammi Majus…all these work really well…but on the whole you will find Art Shades a really versatile addition to your cut flower garden.
Are calendula stems edible?
Calendula Basics Harvest the flowers when they're at full bloom to keep the plant blooming until the season is over. You can use the flowers and leaves for culinary and medicinal purposes, and consume them fresh or dried.
Are calendula marigolds edible?
There are several edible marigold varieties, including pot marigolds (Calendula officinalis), French marigolds (Tagetes patula), African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), Mexican mint marigolds (Tagetes Lucida), and lemon marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia).
What part of calendula is medicinal?
dried petalsThe dried petals of the calendula plant are used in tinctures, ointments, and washes to treat burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause. Calendula also has been shown to help prevent dermatitis or skin inflammation in people with breast cancer during radiation therapy.
Does calendula have side effects?
Calendula might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking calendula with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Elderberry Calendula Cold and Flu Elixir
The changing of seasons, right around late summer, is the perfect time of year to prepare one of our favorite cold and flu recipes using both calendula and elderberry.
A Simple Calendula Tea
Drinking tea made from calendula can help in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Additionally, the healing and anti-inflammatory properties of the herb make it very soothing on the throat. Simply use your calendula tea as a gargle when your throat feels sore.
Homemade Sugar Scrub
You can use this herbal sugar scrub every time you shower, or you can alternate it with soap as often as you’d like. Gently massaging it into your skin feels great and the oils will leave your skin soft, nourished, and glowing.
Herbal Deodorant
If you too have been struggling with finding the perfect natural deodorant that keeps you from stinking, here it is.
Calendula Infused Facial Toner
This homemade toner is not only hydrating to the skin, but slightly astringent, anti-inflammatory, and promotes healing of skin thanks to the calendula.
Calendula Soap
Jan, author of Cold Process Soap Basics and Recipes and blogger over at The Nerdy Farm Wife shares with us two great recipes using calendula! This is a mild, unscented calendula soap bar that is gentle enough to use on almost everyone from babies to grandmothers.
A Natural Remedy for Irritated Eyes
This is another one of The Nerdy Farm Wife’s recipes, a great natural remedy for irritated eyes caused by: allergies, pool water, dryness, dust, wind, eye strain and even pink eye. Of course, be sure to read the caveats and precautions at the end of her post before going ahead with the remedy!
Learn about the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits
Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist.
What Is Calendula Used For?
Calendula has been used to treat a variety of ailments affecting the skin as well as infections and fungus. Research suggests that calendula may be effective in treating diaper rash, wounds, vaginal yeast infections, and other skin conditions. Calendula has also been used as a pain reducer and inflammation reducer.
Possible Side Effects
You should not use calendula if you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Doing so could cause an allergic reaction.
Dosage and Preparation
It is hard to come up with a generic dosage of calendula considering it is not approved by the FDA. Depending on the form, and what you are using it for, the dose of calendula will be different. Before starting any new supplement be sure to ask your physician or healthcare provider.
What to Look for
Companies that claim calendula to be an effective treatment for certain health issues will need to follow up with a disclaimer that states, "these statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration." The FDA has not approved therapeutic claims for calendula.
Other Questions
Yes, the petals of the calendula flower are edible. Some people like to use them as garnish. The flavor profile is thought to be mildly sweet and peppery.
Growing & Harvesting Calendula
Growing calendula from seed is easy-peasy, even for the brownest of thumbs. Sow the prehistoric-looking seeds directly in the ground in mid-spring; germination takes five to fourteen days. Thin to 12 inches (0.3 m) apart. Alternately, if your spring weather is chilly, plant seeds out in trays and transplant the starts when the days warm up.
Edible Flowers: Calendula In the Kitchen
Soon after giving birth to my daughter—in the middle of winter—I received a meal from an herbalist friend—a nourishing quiche crafted from homegrown veggies, speckled with the orange and yellow of calendula petals. Such a small touch made a large impression: I felt the warmth and sunshine of summer in every bite.
Medicinal Benefits of Calendula
Parts Used: Whole flowers (as mentioned before, be sure to use the entire flower head, including the green base, rather than the petals alone)
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JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany.
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Calendula Flower
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a member of the Compositae family. Many plants in this family have health benefits, like chamomile, dandelion, arnica, goldenrod, and sunflowers . Lettuce and endive are also from this botanical family. The key feature of this family are flowers with ray petals.
Calendula is easy to grow
Calendula is a hardy cool weather annual. Plant the seeds in the ground about 2 weeks before your last frost date, they will begin peaking out as soon as the ground warms. Starts will begin to bloom about 8 weeks later and continue to give you flowers to harvest for a few weeks after frost.
Harvesting Calendula flowers
It’s the flowers that make calendula so special and the part that you want to preserve. Pick them in the morning, as soon as the dew has dried from the petals. It is best to pick the flowers as they open, but you can harvest any time during flowering. Just be sure to pick before the seeds begin to set.
Saving Calendula Seed
Calendula seeds need several weeks to mature on the plant and dry down before harvesting, so save the earlier flowers on the plants for seed, if you have a shorter season. I am in zone 3 and I can get a reliable, viable seed harvest from calendula in all but the harshest summers.
Preserving the Goodness of Calendula Flowers
There are several ways to preserve the goodness of calendula blossoms. Drying the blossoms is the easiest way, but dried flowers will preserve the goodness of calendula for only a year. By preserving it in other ways, you can extend this shelf life from a year to up to 5 years.
How to Dry Calendula Flowers
Calendula flowers are high in moisture and oil content. I find that in order to dry them at room temperature, in the high humidity of my usual summer weather, I need to put them in an airy container, like a wicker basket, and put them somewhere with strong airflow.
Make an Herbal Tea with Calendula Flowers
Another name for herbal tea is tisane, which is an herbal tea made without tea leaves. Both dried and fresh calendula blossoms can be used to make a tisane.
1. Salad
I had a little nibble of the leaves today as I was gardening. They go really well mixed into a salad.
2. Cooked Green
A common name for calendula is pot marigold, because people used to throw the the leaves in the cooking pot as a spinach alternative.
About the Author
MORAG GAMBLE Blog is an award-winning Australian permaculture designer, speaker, author, blogger, film-maker and teacher.
What is tincture?
Tincture in herbal medicine means an extract of the plant in various ethanol concentrations (20 - 90%) that you make by soaking herbs in alcohol for several weeks.
Herbal tincture has many advantages
fast onset of action - ethanol helps faster absorption of active substances into the blood and into the whole body
How to make a tincture?
Making your own tincture is very easy and all you need are two ingredients:
Uses of Calendula tincture
for gargling to reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and sore throat. (1)
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Facial Mask with calendula to treat acne
This homemade natural facial mask designed specifically for acne helps to block the flow of sebum and treat the acne bacteria that provoke the formation of acne lesions with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents.
Calendula Honey salve recipe
This healing calendula salve does not only moisturize your skin but also create a barrier that protects your hands against the cold wet conditions and leave them smooth and silky.
A few notes before we begin
1. If your calendula flowers are fresh, you’ll need to dry them before making most of these recipes. To do so, spread the flower heads out in a single layer on paper towels or clean dish towels and let them air dry for several days.
1. Calendula Flower Infused Oil
Calendula infused oil can be massaged directly onto dry, irritated skin or used as an ingredient in recipes for salves, lotions, creams, soaps, and lotion bars. Shelf life of strained, infused oil is around 1 year.
2. Calendula Flower Salve
This recipe uses the infused oil we made above. It’s perfect for including in your first aid kit since it helps soothe many minor skin ailments such as scratches, dry spots, diaper rash, razor burn, minor scrapes, insect bites and more. Calendula salve can be used on pets and farm animals too!
4. Calendula Lotion Bars
Lotion bars are the best thing ever for dry, cracked skin. They’re really easy to throw together and make wonderful gifts too!
5. Calendula Bar Soap
This is a mild, unscented calendula soap bar that’s very gentle. It’s made with calendula infused oil and calendula tea.
6. Calendula Liquid Soap
This soap is made using a crock pot and potassium hydroxide, to form a soap paste that you can dilute and use as liquid soap.
7. Calendula Oatmeal Soak
This bath soak is specially designed for sensitive or itchy skin types. Ground oats soothe irritated skin while calendula flowers calm inflammation. If desired, you can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a light relaxing scent.
