Shop

Calendula: A Timeless Herbal Ally

Calendula officinalis, commonly known as calendula or pot marigold, is an annual herb celebrated for its bright orange or yellow daisy-like blossoms. These edible flowers are prized by herbalists for their soothing and versatile properties. Naturalized across much of the world, calendula flowers can be infused into oils for use in lotions, creams, and balms, while also adding a cheerful touch to tea blends and culinary creations.

Native to Southern Europe, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, as well as the region stretching from the Canary Islands to Iran, calendula is now widely cultivated in gardens worldwide. It thrives in sunny climates and has been grown extensively in Mediterranean countries, the Balkans, eastern Europe, Germany, India, and Hungary. Smaller quantities are grown in North America, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. Harvesting is best done on warm summer days when resins are at their peak, ensuring vibrant, high-quality blooms that retain their color when dried at low temperatures.

Historically, calendula has served a multitude of purposes. In medieval Europe, it was known as “poor man’s saffron,” used to flavor and color foods, including soups, and as a natural dye for hair and butter. Believed to have been cultivated by St. Hildegard of Bingen in 11th-century Germany, calendula has been a mainstay in European herbal traditions. English botanist Henry Lyte described its unique behavior in his 1578 herbal: “The flowers close at sunset and open again at sunrise,” a trait that inspired associations with the sun.

Notable herbalists like Nicholas Culpeper in the 17th century praised calendula for its heart-comforting properties, recommending its juice mixed with vinegar for skin and scalp care. In magical traditions, calendula was considered a flower of the sun, believed to offer protection, enhance clairvoyance, and assist in legal matters. Wreaths of calendula flowers were hung above doorways to keep out negativity, and placing them under one’s bed was said to ensure a peaceful sleep.

Calendula’s historical uses extend to ancient India, where it was incorporated into Ayurvedic practices for its cooling and balancing effects, and to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is recognized as jin zhan ju and used to support healthy skin. Indigenous North American cultures also employed calendula to soothe occasional digestive discomfort.

Today, calendula remains a cherished herb, its traditional applications mirroring its modern uses for skin health and overall well-being.

Precautions
Individuals allergic to members of the Asteraceae family (such as chamomile, echinacea, or feverfew) should use calendula with caution, as cross-reactivity is possible. As always, consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.