Called 'herb of the sun' by the ancients, Calendula is an annual plant from 1 to
3 feet in height and native to the Mediterranean regions and North Africa.

Calendula - Herb of the Year 2008

Safety precautions and warnings

None noted - but people that have an allergic reaction to certain plants should
first do a skin patch test.

• If ALLERGIC TO RAGWEED, there is the possibility of allergy to Calendula since
they share the same family!

Called 'herb of the sun' by the ancients, Calendula is an annual plant from 1 to
3 feet in height and native to the Mediterranean regions and North Africa.

External use

It is used to treat conjunctivitis, eczema, yeast infections, herpes,
gingivitis, ringworm, athlete's foot, varicose veins, and other minor injuries
and skin problems. Calendula is beneficial in the treatment of nappy rash and
cradle cap in babies, and sore nipples in nursing mothers. In cases of
slow-healing wounds, as well as burns, eczema, hemorrhoids and dry skin, it is
most effective. It is ideal in for dry, dehydrated, irritated and delicate skin
as the saponins and mucilage has humectant properties.

Due to the presence of carotenoids in its chemical composition, it has great
re-epithelizing properties – making it ideal for general healing, wound healing,
eczemas as well as fighting the signs of aging.

The presence of essential oil and salicylic acid gives it an antimicrobial and
anti-oxidizing action, which results in an antiseptic action great for any
infections, including acne.

Aromatherapy and essential oil use

Aromatherapists use calendula oil for its skin healing properties. The oil is
normally obtained by making an infused oil, by steeping the petals in a base oil
- such as almond or apricot kernel oil.  The flowers are harvested after the dew has dried, between morning and noon.  They can be pressed and boiled in oil for 1 -2 hours, then the oil pressed through cheese cloth to obtain the 'calendula oil' used in soap making, etc.  Or you can also dry the flower petals and use them to make tea, add dried to soaps, etc.