Herbs - Calendula

🌼 Calendula – The Golden Healer of the Garden

Calendula – A Sun-Coloured Tradition in Herbalism
Latin Name: Calendula officinalis
Also Known As: Pot Marigold, English Marigold (not to be confused with ornamental tagetes marigolds)

🌿 Botanical Source

Calendula is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s known for its bright yellow to deep orange blooms with soft, resinous petals. The entire flower head is often harvested, but premium herbal quality emphasizes the petals only—as these are richest in resins and carotenoids.

Calendula thrives in temperate climates, and while it’s cultivated worldwide, our organic variety is carefully harvested and dried to retain its colour, aroma, and potency.

📖 History & Traditional Uses

Calendula has been cultivated for more than 700 years for its ornamental beauty and usefulness in gardens—but even more so for its prominent role in folk medicine. From ancient Roman salves to medieval monastery apothecaries, it was a mainstay in topical remedies, teas, and tinctures.

• In Europe, it was traditionally used for its calming properties and often included in teas and balms.

• In Ayurvedic medicine, Calendula is cooling and soothing, often used in compresses or infused oils.

• North American herbalism uses it as a key ingredient in skin salves, baby care products, and teas to "gently move the lymph."

For deeper insight into Calendula’s ethnobotanical history, refer to:
Escop Monographs (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy)
Grieve’s Modern Herbal, 1931

✨ Modern Uses

Calendula’s bright petals have moved far beyond the garden—they’re found in:

• Herbal Teas & Infusions

Calendula petals make a gentle, slightly bitter tea with honey-like undertones. Commonly included in “detox” and “women’s balance” blends.

• Culinary Applications

Calendula petals are edible and often called “poor man’s saffron.” Add them to salads, rice, or cheese for colour and light flavor.

• Topical Skincare

Infused in oils, salves, and lotions to soothe dry, irritated, or delicate skin. Calendula is often the go-to herb in natural baby care products due to its gentle nature.

• Natural Dye

Petals yield a vibrant yellow-orange dye—safe for food, fabric, and crafts.

🧪 Nutritional & Functional Snapshot

Calendula petals contain:

• Flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin)

• Carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein)

• Triterpenoids and resins, especially in sticky flower bases

• Saponins, which help emulsify oils in infusions

Health Canada does not allow general claims without an NPN, but Calendula’s traditional use is widely documented in topical herbal medicine and gentle internal preparations.

🔧 How to Use Calendula Flowers

🧑🍳 Culinary Recipes Using Calendula

1. Calendula Petal Rice

A vibrant, saffron-style dish with a subtle earthy-floral note.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice

• 2 cups water or broth

• 2 tbsp dried Calendula petals

• 1 tsp turmeric (for colour and warmth)

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice and set aside.

2. In a pot, warm oil and add turmeric and Calendula petals. Stir for 30 seconds.

3. Add rice and liquid, bring to a boil.

4. Reduce to low, cover, and simmer 15–20 minutes. Fluff before serving.

2. Calendula Lemon Scones

Beautiful for brunch or herbal tea pairing.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup cold butter

• 2 tsp lemon zest

• 2 tbsp dried Calendula petals

• 1/2 cup milk (or plant milk)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter.

3. Stir in lemon zest and Calendula. Add milk slowly to form a soft dough.

4. Shape, cut, and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.

3. Herbal Butter (Calendula + Chive)

For spreading on sourdough or melting over vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

• 1 tbsp dried Calendula petals

• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives

• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together and form into a log or press into a ramekin.

2. Chill for at least 1 hour before using.

3. Keeps 1 week refrigerated or 3 months frozen.

🍵 Tea & Infusion Recipes

1. Simple Calendula Petal Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried petals

• 1 cup hot water

Instructions:

1. Steep petals in covered mug for 10–15 minutes.

2. Strain and enjoy warm or chilled.

3. Add honey and lemon if desired.

2. Skin-Soothing Tea Bath

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried Calendula petals

• 1/4 cup dried chamomile

• 1/4 cup dried lavender

• Muslin bag or reusable tea sachet

Instructions:

1. Fill bag with herbs and tie shut.

2. Hang under hot running water as the tub fills.

3. Soak for 20–30 minutes. Ideal for dry, itchy, or sensitive skin.

🧴 Topical & Skincare Recipes

1. Calendula-Infused Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried Calendula petals

• 1 cup olive oil, sweet almond oil, or sunflower oil

• Clean glass jar with lid

Instructions:

1. Fill jar with petals and cover completely with oil.

2. Seal and place in a sunny windowsill for 2–4 weeks, shaking gently daily.

3. Strain through cheesecloth, store in dark bottle.

👉 Use directly on skin or as a base for salves and creams.

2. Basic Calendula Salve

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Calendula-infused oil

• 1 tbsp beeswax (pellets or grated)

• Optional: a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil

Instructions:

1. Gently warm oil and beeswax together in a double boiler until melted.

2. Remove from heat, stir in essential oil (if using).

3. Pour into small jars or tins and let set.

4. Use on cuts, dry skin, rashes, or lips.

3. Calendula Face Mist

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup strong Calendula infusion (tea)

• 1 tsp witch hazel (alcohol-free)

• Optional: 1 drop lavender or rose essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine and pour into a clean spray bottle.

2. Refrigerate and use within 1 week as a toner or cooling mist.

Tea or Infusion:

• Use 1–2 tsp dried petals per cup of hot water.

• Steep for 10–15 minutes, covered.

• Strain and enjoy warm or chilled.

• Optional: add lemon or chamomile for flavour complexity.

Oil Infusion (for Salves & Skin Care):

• Fill a clean glass jar with dried petals.

• Cover with carrier oil (olive, almond, jojoba).

• Infuse in sunlight for 2–4 weeks or gently heat in a double boiler for 2–3 hours.

• Strain and store in dark glass bottle.

• Use directly on skin or in DIY salves.

Calendula Bath:

• Add a handful of petals to a muslin bag and steep in bath water for a gentle skin-soothing soak.

⚠️ Cautions and Considerations

• Pregnancy: Calendula tea should be used with caution in pregnancy as high doses were traditionally associated with uterine stimulation (though modern herbalists often consider small amounts safe in topical use).

• Allergies: Calendula is part of the Asteraceae family—those allergic to ragweed, daisies, or chamomile may experience mild reactions.

• Topical Use: Always patch-test new salves or oils, especially on sensitive or broken skin.

🌸 Fun Facts & Cultural Notes

• The name Calendula is derived from the Latin calendae (meaning "little calendar") because the plant blooms reliably around the same time every month.

• In traditional wedding lore, Calendula petals were sprinkled to bless the couple with prosperity and warmth.

• In Mexican culture, its close cousin Tagetes (marigold) is used in Day of the Dead celebrations, but Calendula officinalis has a gentler presence in folk medicine.

📚 Suggested Blends & Pairings

• Tea Blends: Mix with lemon balm, chamomile, and rose petals for a floral infusion.

• Skin Balms: Combine with comfrey leaf, plantain, or chickweed for a multi-herb skin salve.

• Culinary Garnish: Mix with chive blossoms and nasturtiums for vibrant edible flower décor.