Focus On: Calendula

A while back I wrote about natural remedies for sunburn. It surprised me that aloe was not the first-choice recommendation from our Jamison Starbuck, ND (see Daily Health News, July 15, 2004) -- rather it was the marigold-based remedy, calendula. After using it this past summer, I know why. It worked great at easing my sunburn (there was one day at the beach where the sunscreen missed some spots on my back) and at maintaining the "healthy" tan built-up from summer activities -- and it wasn't gooey like aloe. With potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial abilities, I now turn to it to treat assorted cuts, scrapes and burns that occur in my house. Not only does it promote healing, calendula also helps prevent infection.

FIRST AID FOR SKIN PROBLEMS AND MORE

For further insight into this soothing botanical skin saver, I consulted registered herbalist (RH) David Winston, founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and coauthor of Herbal Therapy and Supplements: A Scientific and Traditional Approach (Lippincott). He told me that calendula is packed with healing compounds such as antioxidant flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenes, chlorogenic acid and calendulosides. These potent components act synergistically to battle various kinds of skin irritation and inflammation.

Winston's favorite uses for topical calendula are as...

• A top first-aid treatment for minor burns.
• 
  A healing booster and infection fighter for
  minor scratches, cuts and scrapes.
• 
  A soothing reliever of swelling and itching
  associated with insect bites and stings.
• 
  A helpful treatment for bruises, bedsores and shingles.
• 
  A remedy for athlete's foot (as calendula possesses antifungal abilities).
• 
  Less commonly, calendula is used internally for indigestion, digestive inflammation and ulcers.

Winston also recommends using the cooled tea made from dried flowers and leaves as a mouthwash to combat periodontal disease or canker sores, or as a gargle for sore throat. He adds that a calendula and lavender sitz bath can help heal episiotomies.

CALENDULA VS. ALOE

Freshly expressed aloe is useful as a first remedy for first- and second-degree burns. Aloe taken internally has a cathartic effect producing soap-like saponins in the large intestines. Aloe contains allantoin, which speeds the healing of bruises, much like comfrey. Winston recommends calendula topically for skin irritation and inflammation, minor scratches, wounds and burns, bedsores, bruises, insect bites, athlete's foot and shingles. Internally, the tea can soothe irritation and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

HOW TO USE

Calendula is widely available and easy to use...

It is a common ingredient in many high-quality lotions, ointments, gels and salves that you can purchase in your local health-food store. Watch out, however, because as with aloe, different products contain calendula in higher or lower concentration. Some of the best are from Eclectic Institute, Herb Pharm and Burt's Bees. Apply generously to affected areas up to three times daily.

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE

Calendula is an extremely safe remedy with no known side effects, says Winston. He considers even internal use safe for extended periods. Although I haven't had occasion to try the tea, I keep topical calendula in my kitchen so it is handy to soothe minor cooking burns as well as the everyday scrapes and bruises of an active family.

Be well, Carole Jackson - Bottom Line's Daily Health News

Sources:

Rubman on Digestion

Andrew L. Rubman, ND, adjunct professor of clinical medicine, Florida College of Integrative Medicine, Orlando, and director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut.
Focus On: Calendula

David Winston, RH, and founding member of the American Herbalists Guild, www.americanherbalistguild.com . He is coauthor of Herbal Therapy and Supplements: A Scientific and Traditional Approach (Lippincott).