Calendula officinalis.

Calendula is a cooling, anti-inflammatory, and lymphatic-stimulating herb, traditionally used in European herbal medicine for wound healing, skin conditions, and digestive support. It is highly effective for eczema, dermatitis, ulcers, and slow-healing wounds, while also aiding lymphatic drainage, immune function, and tissue repair. Calendula’s gentle yet potent action supports gut inflammation, leaky gut, and gastric ulcers, making it a valuable herb for skin, gut, and immune health.

Traditional Use

Used historically in European herbalism for wound care, skin eruptions, mucosal inflammation, and inflammatory conditions; regarded as a safe, restorative herb for topical and internal applications to support skin integrity and tissue repair.

Actions

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, wound healing, vulnerary, cholagogue

Indications

• Enlarged or inflamed lymph nodes, sore throats and tonsillitis.
• Inflammation and ulceration of the digestive tract.
• Female reproductive system problems such as irregular menstruation, menstrual cramps, breast lumps, vaginal dryness, fibroids, cervical eversion, cervicitis, endometriosis, excessive menstrual flow and pelvic infections.
• Topically for skin problems including for skin inflammations, acne, rashes, itchy skin, minor wounds and cuts, boils, nappy rash, burns, insect bites, eczema, mouth ulcers, sprains and bruises, leg ulcers, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and fungal skin infections.

Energetics

Bitter, pungent, cooling

Use in Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information available to assess safety.

Contraindications & Cautions

People who are sensitive or allergic to foods or plants from the Asteraceae (previously Compositae) family should use calendula with caution.

Drug Interactions

None known

Dietary Information

Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free.

Substitutes

Sarsaparilla, Echinacea, Yellow Dock, Poke Root, Burdock, Clivers, Red Clover