Calendula is excellent in the treatment of cuts, wounds and various inflammatory conditions.  Above all, Calendula is an extremely effective remedy for most minor skin irritations and problems.  It can be utilised to treat minor burns, sunburn, acne, rashes and fungal conditions such as tinea (athlete’s foot and ringworm) and thrush.  It is widely used today to successfully treat nappy (diaper) rash.  It is also very effective in the treatment of eczema, and more often than not, an important ingredient in herbal medications for eczema and psoriasis.

Calendula can be taken internally as an infusion or tea for digestive disorders such as gastritis, peptic ulcers and colitis.  It is useful as a detoxifying herb for the underlying causes of many fevers and infections and considered cleansing for the liver and gallbladder.

 Parts Used Medicinally

·      Flower petals and flower heads

Insight or lesson Calendula shares:

From time immemorial the sun and fire have been considered means of purification. Calendula represents purification and is often part of sacred fire ritual. Picked at noon when the sun is at full potency, the flowers will bring strength and comfort to the heart and the ability to see the inner light.

Calendula has the ability to bring attunement to inner purpose and connect people together. 

Recipe for Homemade Infused Calendula Cream

Calendula is very easy to grow and the flower heads can be made into a cream that is extremely usefull for treating all of the above mentioned conditions. Dried Calendula can also be purchased loose in most good Health Food Stores.

 Ingredients and Supplies:

• ½ cup well dried Calendula petals (this can be done in a dehydrator or in the sun)
• 1 cup of extra virgin olive or coconut oil
• ¼ cup grated beeswax or beeswax pebbles
• ½ teaspoon pure lavendar essential oil (or more if desired)
• ½ teaspoon teatree oil
• ¼ teaspoon Vitamin E oil
• Cheesecloth
• Double boiler pot
• Mason Jar
• Small containers to dispense finished Calendula cream

Pour your DRIED Calendula petals (make sure they are well dried as moisture creates bacteria!) into a mason jar and then cover them with either olive or coconut oil (your preference).

Sit jar out in the sun and allow the sun to work it’s magic! Shake the jar every so often to mix the ingredients well. Two days out in the sun is generally sufficient but a week or two will make the medicinal properties stronger.

After steeping, pour very slowly through cheese cloth to filter out the oil from the flowers, taking care to squeeze all the good stuff out as well.

Then:

In a double boiler (or a pyrex glass measuring cup inside of a pan that has about an inch of water in it simmering) melt the beeswax and then add ¾ cup of the Calendula infused oil, stirring until melted. Remove from heat.

Stir in the tea tree oil, lavender oil and vitamin E. Pour your mixture into reserved containers and allow to cool/harden before use.

If stored in a cool dark place, this ointment should keep for at least 6 months. Use a small amount on wounds and infected areas!

For more information on Calendula or to purchase the book and card set go to: carolinew26.sg-host.com. The book is now available as a ebook through this website.