Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

Energetics:  Warming, drying

Major Properties:  Vulnerary (heals wounds), lymphatic, antispasmodic, nervine, hepatic, inflammatory and immune modulating

Examples of Uses: Include in ointments of all kinds to heal skin issues, move lymph congestion, SAD, help with sluggish digestion or inflammation in digestive tract

Parts Used: Flower buds and flowers as coming into bloom. Orange flowered is best. And the stickier, the better. Your hands should be very tacky after picking even just a few blooms.

Preparations:

Tincture - One of my go-to herbs for digestive or lymphatic issues

Oil - I make several quarts each summer to use in skin salves

Dry - add to soups in winter time for extra immune system support

Personal Observations:

Calendula is a go-to herb for many issues. Skin issues - go to calendula. Mild seasonal affective disorder - calendula can add some sunshine to your mood. Stomach issues, such as ulcers, try calendula. Lymph nodes inflamed - calendula can help to get lymph moving and give relief. Sunburn - include with monarda fistulosa for relief and speed healing. Calendula may even help with some skin cancers. Its bitter flavor makes it a nice addition to bitter blends to stimulate digestion. It is gentle enough for diaper rash and effective with thrush, also. It is a gentle plant that works quite powerfully!

This brief overview merely highlights my observations.  There is, of course, a great deal of information that you can find on the Internet or in books.  Or better yet - get together with other herbalists and share your experiences!

Please add your own experiences so that together we can create a more comprehensive overview.

As always, if you have a chronic ailment that is not resolving itself or an acute issue, seek the attention of your physician.