How to Make Calendula Medicine ~ Home Apothecary Series

"In the Middle Ages, many plants were renamed
'Mary's Gold' in honor of the Virgin Mary."

~ The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs

Although the calendula (also known as "pot marigold") is a bright and beautiful flower, it also boasts some bold medicinal benefits! They are a nutrient dense, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-fungal, healing and pain-relieving plant. There are multiple ways to utilize this herb making it quite the fun little flower!

“Here’s flowers for you;
Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram;

The marigold, that goes to bed wi’ the sun,
And with him rises weeping…”

~ William Shakespeare

Externally: "healing chapped skin, wounds, inflammation, diaper rash, fungal infections, bacterial infections, burns, stings, and bites of any kind... antiseptic, antibacterial, hemostatic, emollient (softens skin)..."

Internally: "Because calendula soothes and boosts mucus membranes, it is good for sore throats, digestive upsets, ulcers (in the mouth or elsewhere in the digestive tract), internal swelling, lymph issues, infections, and relieving pain... good at dispelling the fever, moving infections out of the body, keeps the lymph system moving properly on those cold, damp winter nights, helps immune system fight cold and flus..."

~ "Excerpts" from The Herbal Goddess*

{*Note: As with all herbal books, I glean the scientific, medicinal information and do not endorse any new-age, mythological or magical teachings. I am a Christian woman who seeks the Lord for all her healing needs and also seeks wisdom to learn about the healing herbs He created.}

The calendula flower (pot marigold) may be growing in your backyard! In order to properly identify it from the "common marigold", visit this post. You will also find instructions on drying your foraged flowers. If you aren't able to find calendula, you can always purchase some {here} so that you may prepare these simple medicinal projects.

How to Make a Calendula Tincture

One way to preserve the calendula flower for use as a medicine {and with an excellent shelf life} is to prepare a tincture. To learn how to make a tincture and the proper dosages, visit here (alcohol or vinegar based in this case).

This tincture can be used in salves (our recipe is shared below) or applied to bites, itches, stings and/or diluted with water as a sore throat gargle. According to the Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs, calendula tincture can be used as "an effective mouthwash against gum infections and mouth ulcers and also as a topical anti fungal agent for some skin conditions". A soaked dressing in calendula tincture can also be applied to help heal leg ulcers.

For sensitive conditions, dilute a dropperful of tincture (1/4 tsp.) in a cup of water prior to using.

How to Make Calendula Infused Medicinal Oil 

For instructions on making a calendula medicinal oil, visit here. You can apply this herbal oil onto skin rashes, eczema, swollen lymph nodes, cradle cap, cracked nipples from breastfeeding, stretch marks or use as a massage oil. You can also use this oil as a base for balms, lovely lotions, nourishing skin creams and salves (shared below).

Calendula Medicinal Salve DIY

• 1/2 cup of calendula infused oil (see tutorial above to make the infused oil)
• 1/8 cup of grated beeswax (or beeswax pastilles which are very convenient)
• 3 tsp. calendula tincture (omit this tincture for a milder salve for baby)

Directions: In a double boiler, gently heat your calendula infused oil for a few minutes. Add in your beeswax and stir occasionally until melted together. Once melted, slowly add your calendula tincture while stirring in. Continue to stir for one more minute. Remove your mixture from heat. I usually stir for another minute before pouring liquid into salve tins, recycled baby food jars or tiny mason jars. Salve will firm up within the hour or so.

Consistency Tip: You can dip a spoon into the salve in its liquid state and place it in the freezer for a few minutes. If it is too firm for you, reheat and add in more oil. If it is too soft for your liking, reheat and add in more wax.

Variations: Add 5 drops of lavender essential oil for a stronger skin salve or 5 drops of tea tree oil for an anti-fungal salve. Let mixture cool a few minutes before stirring in the essential oils (if you choose to add them) because the oils will evaporate if the mixture is too hot. You can also replace 1/4 to 1/2 of your calendula infused oil with some lavender infused oil. Recipe can be doubled. This can also be made without the tincture for a milder salve.

This healing salve can be used for injured or infected skin concerns such as bites, burns, stings, rashes, cuts, inflammation, chapped skin, wounds, dry skin conditions, leg ulcers, fungal and/or bacterial infections. It should last for six months to one year if stored in a cool, dark location.

Calendula Healing Lip Balm {DIY} for Chapped and Dry Skin Too

To prepare a calendula healing lip balm, visit our simple tutorial here.  This is a gentle and nourishing balm that is quite easy to make and will be a blessing to those dry, chapped lips.

Calendula Cold and Flu Elixir and/or Oxymel Recipe

To learn how to make an effective cold and flu herbal medicine featuring the calendula flower, visit here. This can also be used as a natural immune system booster.

Calendula Floral Salve and Lip Gloss Recipe

To learn how to make lovely, all-purpose feminine skin salve and tinted lip gloss featuring the calendula flower, visit here. 

Prepare a Calendula Tisane (Herbal Tea Blend) with a Variety of Uses

Finally, you can also prepare a calendula based tea. It will help to sooth a sore throat (try gargling with it), aid in digestion and ease menstrual problems by acting as a menstrual regulator. Because it is anti fungal, it is also used for treating candida.

"Calendula tea is also useful both internally and externally (as a wash or poultice) to moderate fever, keeping it from rising too high. The flower’s mild astringent and antiseptic properties are helpful for treating gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers (mixed with marsh mallow root) and cramps (mixed with valerian or cramp bark), indigestion (mixed with peppermint), and diarrhea (alone or mixed with blackberry root)." ~ Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide 

Calendula tea can also be applied to minor cuts and scrapes to clean them and promote healing (source).

Soaking a small piece of cotton in calendula tea can be used as a compress to treat styes. Gently apply warm infusion to affected area until cool. Repeat process several times a day with a fresh compress (until infections subsides).

An infusion of the flowers can be used as a brightening rinse for blond or red hair (source). After shampooing and/or conditioning hair, squeeze out excess water and apply calendula tea infusion liberally. Squeeze out excess liquid, do not rinse (use a dark towel for this as you don't want to stain a light one). Hair that is chemically treated may not give desired results.

Any leftover calendula tea could be added to your bath water for a lovely and healing soak (or tie some flowers into a handkerchief and let the hot water from the tub run through it to produce a nourishing skin bath.

Misc. Musings and Mothering Applications

Sprinkle some calendula petals in a salad for decoration and nourishment. Because it is edible, it will also make a lovely garnish.

Calendula is a safe herb for baby and can help clear cradle cap and diaper rash (try the salve for this) while the tea infusion can help with thrush. I used calendula cream on our daughter's face rash as a baby and had wonderful results.

You can also make a baby and/or body powder with dried calendula. Combine 1 1/2 cups of arrowroot, 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of dried calendula (finely powdered), 1/2 cup of rice flour (or non-GMO cornstarch) in a food processor or blender for about 15 seconds. Slowly stir in 20 drops of either Roman chamomile or lavender essential oil. Blend for another 15 seconds. Store in an airtight container for 3 days to allow the herbs to permeate the mixture. Apply as you would any body powder. This should keep for approx. one year. Recipe adapted from Organic Body Care Recipes.

{Note: Pregnant and/or nursing women should not take calendula internally though it is safe externally.}

Calendula Link Up

Do you have any recipes, gardening tips or herbal information on calendula usage? We would love for you to share with us! We are currently hosting an all about calendula link up and hope you will join in!

Printable Information Sheets for Your Herbal {Our Printable Herbal is Here}:

Calendula Fact Sheet by W.J. Beal Botanical Garden
Calendula (Herbal Information Sheet) by Annie's Place to Learn

Further Reading and Recipes:

14 Uses for Calendula by Herbal Academy of New England
Things to Do with Calendula by The Nerdy Farm Wife
Calendula Foot Soak Recipe by Vintage Remedies

Don't know where to find calendula flowers? I purchase my supplies here {affiliate links}:

                                               

This article is a part of our Create Your Own Home Pharmacy Series.

Disclaimer: I am not a certified herbalist but a homemaker interested in the arts of natural healing. The information I have learned has been gleaned through study of some of the following favorite books; Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, Grow Your Own Drugs by James Wong, and The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest and websites of herbalists (such as the Bulk Herb Store Blog).

I am not a doctor. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use, remember that using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is approved by the FDA or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on this blog are my opinion or the opinion of others. Also, if you have a medical condition, are taking pharmaceutical drugs, or are pregnant, please consult your physician prior to taking herbs.

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Shabbilicious Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post contains affiliate links.