Calendula ~ Calendula officinalis

Calendula

Latin name: Calendula officinalis

Family: Asteraceae

Part used: Flowers prior to fully opening

Habitat: temperate climates

Main constituents: essential oil, flavonol glycosides, saponins, sterols, triterpene alcohols, polysaccharides, tannins, chlorogenic acid

Energetics: drying, bitter, salty

Main herbal actions: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, vulnerary

Minor herbal actions: choleretic, lymphagogue, spasmolytic

Main medicinal uses: wounds, burns, bruises, boils, rashes, sore nipples, infectious diseases, tumors

Minor medicinal uses: lymphatic congestion, gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, dysmenorrhea

Preparations: tincture: 1-4 ml tid; teaor soup: 30 grams dry herb weight (Khalsa), poultice (topical)

Contraindications: pregnancy (possible)

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations