Family:

Asteraceae

 

Part Used:

flowering heads

 

Energetics & Taste:

 Drying, bitter, salty.

 

Habitat:

Native to Southern Europe, but will grow in temperate climates.

 

Key Benefits:

Calendula is renowned as a powerful wound healer. It treats many issues, including burns, eruptive skin conditions, cracked lips, diaper rash, abrasions, rashes, and bug bites. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, in her book Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth, highlights calendula’s remarkable ability to address wounds that are slow to heal.

Calendula is helpful as an antifungal for treating ringworm, athlete's foot, and thrush. Its antibacterial and mildly styptic properties further enhance its effectiveness in promoting healing. In beauty routines, calendula helps reduce redness and inflammation while offering antioxidant protection to the skin against free radicals, which can cause premature aging and collagen breakdown.

 

Contraindications:

Internally, it is contraindicated during pregnancy.