Calendula Officinalis

Calendula Officinalis grows as a common garden plant throughout North America and Europe. The golden-orange or yellow flowers of Calendula have been used as medicine for centuries. The part of this plant used medicinally are the flowers. Calendula flowers were believed to be useful in reducing inflammation, wound healing, and as an antiseptic.

Historically, Calendula was used to treat various skin diseases, ranging from skin ulcerations to eczema. Calendula Officinalis soothes, cools, relieves sunburn, windburn, burns, cuts, wounds & abrasions, chapped lips, and skin irritations.

Calendula is nature's remedy for many of life's little accidents: sunburns, bruises, and scratches, to name a few. In years past, the herb was used to treat wide-ranging ailments, such as fever, cancer, and skin infections. Contemporary herbalists now focus primarily on its topical uses, namely, for treating boils, rashes, sunburns, chapped hands, insect bites, and other instances of inflamed or damaged skin. Lotions and other topical calendula preparations (tinctures, ointments, creams, gargles) are still widely used in Europe, particularly for slow-healing skin problems.

The herb's primary active compounds include triterpenoids (they are anti-inflammatory) and flavonoids. Modern laboratory and animal studies indicate that calendula petals do indeed have anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antiseptic (antibacterial and antiviral) properties, and may even offer immune-stimulating actions. The benefits of calendula in healing burns and wounds have also been demonstrated in research studies.

Specifically, calendula used topically may help to:

Heal burns and soothe sunburns. Because it reduces inflammation and has antiseptic and gentle astringent actions, calendula may help burns to heal more rapidly. Some herbalists contend that it is the single most effective herb for use in the treatment of first-degree burns. Since sunburn is a first-degree burn, it's no surprise that a number of sunburn products contain calendula.
Relieve athlete's foot. In laboratory studies, calendula has demonstrated anti-fungal effects. Since athlete's foot is caused by a fungus, treating the ailment with a calendula-containing product may be worthwhile.
Ease the itch of insect bites and stings. Calendula can reduce the swelling and itching associated with insect bites and may even help to prevent infection due to its antimicrobial actions. Astringent actions promote healing.

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