When the days feel heavy or your skin needs a little extra love, few herbs offer as much warmth and gentle healing as calendula. Bright as a summer afternoon and soft as velvet petals, calendula (Calendula officinalis) has long been cherished in herbal traditions across the world—for both its beauty and its profound healing gifts.

Often called the “sunshine herb,” calendula blossoms with golden light, opening its petals with the sunrise and closing again as the sun sets. English herbalists saw this solar rhythm as a sign of calendula’s vitality and alignment with the energy of joy and clarity. A 12th-century herbal even claimed that just gazing at calendula could lift the spirits and brighten one’s outlook. We don’t know about you, but we love the idea of a flower so powerful it can heal simply by being witnessed.

An Ancient Ally for Skin & Spirit

Calendula is most famous for its affinity with the skin. It soothes, mends, and softens like few others. Whether you’re dealing with acne, irritation, redness, or minor wounds, calendula offers comfort and clarity. It encourages circulation, stimulates cellular regeneration, and supports the body in gently releasing inflammation. It’s often compared to arnica in its ability to quicken healing, but calendula adds a layer of tender nourishment that arnica lacks.

But calendula’s gifts don’t end at the surface. Internally, it’s known to:

• Support digestive health and calm the GI tract

• Gently regulate menstruation and ease menstrual discomfort

• Aid the lymphatic system, helping the body clear stagnation

• Offer mild antimicrobial effects, helping the body resist infection

And yes, traditional herbalists like Nicholas Culpeper believed calendula was ruled by the constellation Leo—ever radiant, confident, and heart-centered. He described it as a “comforter of the heart and spirits,” and we couldn’t agree more.

Experiencing Calendula: A Personal Note

Calendula has been a dear companion in our own formulations for years—particularly in skincare. One of the simplest ways to connect with this plant is through a calendula tea. A gentle infusion of the dried flowers creates a golden brew that nourishes from the inside out.

A personal observation:
After sipping a calendula tea steeped for about 20 minutes, we notice a warm, calming presence settle in. Our thoughts felt more spacious and grounded, and our digestion noticeably soothed. It felt like clarity wrapped in comfort.

We also crafted a simple facial toner—a blend of rose petals, calendula, chickweed, a touch of organic alcohol, and fresh water. Used morning and night, it visibly toned our skin, eased inflammation, and smoothed out unevenness and blemishes. It’s now a staple in our herbal skincare ritual.

Calendula in the Kitchen & Beyond

Calendula petals, sometimes called “poor man’s saffron,” have historically been used to color and flavor food—adding sunshine to soups, rice, custards, and butters. Its use in cuisine is not only beautiful but also medicinal, gently supporting digestion with each bite.

The flowers have also been steeped into oils, turned into tinctures and salves, and used ritually for protection, clarity, and joy. Calendula is an herb of the sun, and its presence uplifts the spaces it touches—inside and out.

Materia Medica: Calendula officinalis

• Family: Asteraceae

• Parts used: Flowers

• Energetics: Cooling, drying, slightly bitter

• Actions: Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary (wound-healing), lymphagogue, emmenagogue, antimicrobial, carminative, antifungal, cholagogue, diaphoretic

Preparations & Dosage:

• Tea: 4–8 oz, 2–3 times daily

• Tincture: 20–40 drops, 2–3 times daily

• Infused oil or salve: Apply topically as needed

• Flower essence: For grief, emotional stagnation, and blocked self-expression

Common Uses:

• Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and sensitive skin

• Cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises, and diaper rash

• Lymphatic stagnation and swollen glands

• Menstrual irregularities and uterine inflammation

• GI inflammation, ulcers, and sluggish digestion

Calendula also shows antibacterial and antifungal properties, with some modern studies suggesting its ability to inhibit E. coli, Staphylococcus, and certain protozoa. (7, 8)

Cautions:

Avoid internal use during pregnancy unless under the guidance of a trained herbalist.

Working with Calendula

Calendula reminds us that healing can be gentle, golden, and full of grace. It’s the flower we turn to when the world feels rough on the edges or when our skin—and our spirits—need a soft place to land.

Try making a small jar of calendula-infused oil, or steep the petals into your next bath or tea. You’ll be surprised how something so simple can feel like such a profound act of self-care.

References:

1. Edwards, Gail Faith. Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs. Woodstock, NY: Ash Tree Pub., 2000. Print.
2. Kaminski, Patricia, and Richard Katz. Flower Essence Repertory: A Comprehensive Guide to North American and English Flower Essences for Emotional and Spiritual Well-being. Nevada City, CA: Flower Essence Society, 1994. Print.
3. Mars, Brigitte. The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine: The Ultimate Multidisciplinary Reference to the Amazing Realm of Healing Plants, in a Quick-study, One-stop Guide. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Pub., 2007. Print.
4. Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico, 2003. Print.
5. PDR for Herbal Medicine. Montvale, NJ: Thompson Healthcare, n.d. Print.
6.Tierra, Michael, and David Frawley. Planetary Herbology: An Integration of Western Herbs into the Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic Systems. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus, 1988. Print.
7. Herbarium Monograph: https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monograph/calendula
8. Corbett, Sarah, Nelson, Sabrina. (2023). Calendula Monograph. Rowan + Sage Herbaria Membership. Retrieved from https://community.rowanandsage.com/c/materiamedica/calendula