A “little sun”, this is how we see each Calendula flower and is one of our favourite flowers. It has been used medicinally for centuries to heal wounds, burns and rashes, internally and externally. The flowers have also been used traditionally to support the immune system and lift the spirits. We, personally love to add the petals to our dishes to add some color.
You can use your dry flowers in making tea, tincture, or infused oil. We love making our own Calendula oil with the dried flowers, perfect against insect bites, small cuts and burns.
 
Tip:
The dried whole flowers of Calendula can be added to soups and stews in the winter as an immune tonic.
 
Precaution
 
Potentially rare allergic reaction with individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae family (such as feverfew, chamomile, or Echinacea species) should exercise caution with calendula.
Do not use if pregnant.
 
How to make Calendula Tea
 
Calendula is one of our favored personal wintertime teas, due to its uplifting effect. Calendula may be called upon for grief and sadness along with other cheering flowers such as rose and lavender.
Place around 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried calendula flowers in a heat proof mug and pour around 1 cup (8 oz/240 ml) simmering hot water over them.
Cover with a saucer and let steep for around 15 to 20 minutes. Done!
 
Here are some more useful things you can do with Calendula Tea
After your tea has been made, cooled and strained,
Use it as a gargle for sore throat.
Use it as a mouth rinse to help relieve blisters, inflamed gums or thrush.
Dip small cloths or clean rags into the tea and apply as a compress to scraped, itchy, scratched or otherwise inflamed skin conditions.
Use with homemade baby wipes to help alleviate diaper rash.
Strain through a coffee filter and use as an eye rinse for itchy eyes due to allergies, dryness and viral pink-eye.
Wash your face with calendula tea nightly, if prone to acne and breakouts.
Pour some in a foot bath, for fungal conditions such as athlete’s foot.
Add some to your regular bath to help soothe and heal inflamed skin or rashes.
Use as a hair rinse, after shampooing, to alleviate itchy scalp conditions.
Pour into a small spray bottle to make a disinfecting wound spray.
Make Calendula Ice. (Freeze tea in ice cube trays. Once frozen, remove from tray and store in single layers in labeled freezer bags. Rub a cube over rashes, scrapes, or other general “bumps” as needed.)
Calendula tea can safely be used on most non-pregnant animals including: dogs, cats, horses, cows, rabbits, goats, chickens and ducks. It can be used as a soothing rinse for flea bites, eczema, scratches, scrapes, itchy coats or to help cleanse and heal minor wounds.
For dogs prone to hot spots or other raw areas, calendula tea can be gently dabbed or spritzed on the area.  
 
* The information contained here are for educational purposes only.
The traditional uses of specific plants as recorded through history, are merely recounted here. Always seek advice from a medical practitioner.
 
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