Calendula

Calendula or calendula officinalis L. comes from the Asterceae family, also known as the daisy family. Calendula is very similar to a Marigold and is sometimes called the garden Marigold or the pot Marigold. There are a number of different varieties of the calendula plant but the most common has bright yellow and orange flowers. The calendula does tend to vary in shape and color from one species to another.

Calendula is believed to have first been discovered in Egypt but can now be found growing in plenty of areas throughout the world. It is often wrongly assumed that it is the flower petals of the calendula plant that are used medicinally but instead it is the florets of the plant. The calendula plant can be traced back as far as the 12^th century when it was to be found growing in plentiful supply in European gardens. The florets were taken from the plant and made into extracts and tinctures and applied to the skin in order to decrease inflammation and to promote the healing of wounds.

Calendula is an herb that is still widely used today for a variety of different health problems. It has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulating properties. When taken by mouth, calendula is useful in the treatment of some types of Cancer. It has also been shown to help reduce fevers as well as to decrease dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods).  Calendula has a pungent odor and when combined with vegetable plants it works well as a pesticide.

The number one ailment that calendula is used for is cuts, bruises, bites, burns (including sunburns) and abrasions of the skin. It has also shown some usefulness for soothing sore throats and calming peptic ulcers. Research is ongoing in these areas. Other possible problems calendula helps to treat include Eczema, conjunctivitis/blepharitis and applied topics it helps soothe sore nipples in women who are breastfeeding.