I’m growing Calendula in my herb garden this year, and I couldn’t be more excited. This beautiful plant graces my herb garden like no other with it’s lovely, bold colored and abundant flowers.
Calendula Solis Sponsa is a cultivar of calendula officianalis. Its flowers are the parts of the plant that are used for medicine, and the leaves can be eaten (though I don’t know that they would taste that great). Calendula is said to be a premier antiseptic and healing agent.
Every few days I snip off a few more flowers when I pass the herb garden. They are so lovely, I hate to prune them back this way, but the calendula are blooming so heavily right now that others quickly replace the flowers that I remove.
There are many uses for calendula, mostly medicinal, but there are others.
~wound healing by promoting the formation of granulation tissue
~inhibits inflammation~fights viruses~fights bacteria~it is antiseptic, used to treat many skin conditions from ulcerations to eczema~flowers can be made into salve, succus (juice), tincture, or can be masticated (chewed or freshly ground) and applied to the injury
~bright yellow dye (obtained by boiling flowers)
Calendula is mostly used topically today.
~dermatitis
~ear infection
My family has been using a salve which has calendula as one of its primary ingredients, and it has worked so well to relieve the inflammation and the sting from every scratch or skin irritation we have used it on. It’s the first thing I run for these days whenever there is a scratch, cut or rash to be doctored.
To harvest and dry calendula:
~Cut off the flower heads at the stem, at the first set of leaves; do not wash
~Dry in a dehydrator at 90-95 degrees; or air dry on a towel or screen, turning often to encourage even drying
~Once dry, pluck the petals and store in a jar (petals should feel crispy and very dry)
~If you would like to store the heads intact, make sure the whole head is crispy and dry before storing to prevent rotting and mold
Calendula Wash
~Put a couple of teaspoons of calendula petals in an infuser and pour a cup of boiling water over it. Allow to steep for at least 10 minutes.
~Pour into a squeeze bottle and use to wash minor wounds.
Sources:
HorizonHerbs.com
GardenofCures.com
HerbSociety.Org
A Modern Herbal
Love to Know Herbs
I’m planting some in my garden too this year and I’ll try drying out some of the blossoms. I didn’t know about the antiseptic wash you could make with it – great idea.
I’m making some today! It will be nice to be able to spray a cooling wash on summer scratches!
Mixed with green tea, a touch of anise hyssop, cooled. Makes a wonderful iced tea too! Great post.
you. are. awesome.
Awww shucks. *embarrassed* Thanks friend. I happen to think you are awesome as well.
they are not only pretty but also useful! Such great info, I love your new series of “learn along with me”! Thanks for sharing with Farm Fresh Friday!
Thanks for the invite, Lisa!
Hi Kristi! I’m visiting from Farmgirl Friday and just started following you! I used to have over 100 herbs but only enjoyed ‘looking’ at them. I have recently started rebuilding my collection of herbs and am looking forward to learning along with you!
I do have calendula that reseeds itself in my garden every year. I have been making salve and using it for so many things, too! My oldest daughter really likes it for diaper rash on her little ones. I use it for just about everything, like you! Thanks for starting your series on herbs!
Blessings!
I went looking for these last week and couldn’t find them. I need to start checking seed catalogs, I guess?
I love calendula. I planted a bunch this year and am looking forward to using it in many ways. I enjoyed stopping by your blog too!
Hey there, Lady Farmer! Don’t you just love to be able to grow and use the things you need? It’s so freeing!
Thanks for the visit and the comment!
Thanks Sarah! This is my first year growing calendula, and wow, I feel like I hit the jackpot with it! I’m looking forward to all the ways I can use it too!
Thanks for linking up this week Kristi I always so enjoy your posts and I love calendula! One of my favorite flowers!
Thanks KarenLynn, and thanks for the visit!
I love calendula and use it in some of the teas I mix and sell.
Didn’t grow it last year though; maybe this one we will do that again. Such pretty flowers too.
They sure are! Thanks for stopping by REInvestor!
Thanks so much for this post on Calendula…I’ve been growing this herb for a long time and can’t imagine a garden without it! Great info!!
Awesome, Nancy, I’m glad you liked it. I can’t imagine my garden without it either! Thanks for stopping by!
I love calendula too! The last of my plants froze in January but I am ready to plant again!
Hi Bellavista! I’m surprised mine hasn’t, as we’ve have plenty of freezes this year, which is odd here. Thankfully it’s really easy to grow! Thanks for stopping by!
Great info Kristi! I love Calendula
Thanks for sharing this on Wildcrafting Wednesday!