One of my major problems with compiling books from blog articles is that they will never be complete. There is always something more to learn, and the very coolest new topics to research appear as soon as that book is published. I’ve somewhat accepted it as my lot in life and tell myself I can just write in the new information in the margins, but still….
Anyway, here we are with more information on calendula and making a useful tincture with it. Calendula is one of my favorite herbs, because it is so dang easy to grow. As a self-seeding annual, all you have to do is sow the seeds once, and the flowers produce that year and every year thereafter, forever. But just to be safe, you may want to save some seeds each season. You’ll have your own backup, and you’ll have some to share with friends when they inquire as to why you are so healthy and they are not. ;)
Calendula pairs quite nicely with other herbs for enhanced benefits. For soothing irritated skin, consider combining with chamomile, turmeric, or aloe vera. For improving immune function, combine with echinacea, elderberry, or oregano tinctures.
For most calendula preparations we use only the petals. However, when preparing a tincture, we want the complete flower head, including the green base of the flower (the sepal). Harvest the fully opened fresh flowers. Chop them up to increase the surface area so that the active constituents are more easily extracted by the alcohol.
Fresh Calendula Tincture
1 1/3 cups fresh calendula, chopped
Everclear (151 proof)
Place the calendula in a pint canning jar. Add Everclear to cover the calendula completely. Replace the lid. Vacuum seal, if possible, to prevent alcohol evaporation. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place where you will see it every day. Shake daily for 4-6 weeks.
At the end of 4-6 weeks, line a funnel with a coffee filter or cheesecloth and strain the tincture into a clean jar. Transfer the finished tincture into amber glass bottles. Store in a cool, dark cabinet. Label with name, date, and dosage.
Dried Calendula Tincture
1 cup dried calendula, chopped
Vodka
Place the calendula in a pint canning jar. Add vodka to cover the calendula completely. Proceed as for the fresh calendula tincture, above.
Calendula Liniment
Follow the instructions for making a fresh or a dried calendula tincture above; however, instead use 50% rubbing alcohol in place of the vodka. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.
USAGE
In general, for internal use, take one dropperful of tincture up to three times per day. For external use, dilute liniment or tincture in a 1:2 ratio with clean water.
· Dental/oral
o Gingivitis
§ Tincture, internal usage, diluted in a 1:3 (2 ml tincture:6 ml distilled water) ratio and swished in mouth[1]
· Gastrointestinal (tincture, internal usage)
o Stomach upset
o Ulcers[2]
· Respiratory (tincture, internal usage)
o Common cold
o Cough
o Ear infections
o Influenza
o Laryngitis
o Sore throat
o Tonsillitis
· Skin (liniment or tincture, or tincture added to salve, topical application for the following)
o Abrasions
o Burns
§ Oral consumption of tincture significantly hastened healing of 2nd degree burns[3]
o Cutaneous leishmaniasis
§ Tincture[4]
o Fungal infections
o Inflammation
o Lacerations
o Venous leg ulcers[5]
o Wounds
§ Application of tincture in a salve accelerated wound healing[6]
· Urogenital
o HIV[7]
o Menstrual pain[8]
o Trichomonas[9]
o Vaginal yeast infection
§ Tincture, internal usage
§ Tincture, external usage, 1 tablespoon in ¼ cup water
· Other
o In dogs
§ Wounds and irritated skin
· Dilute tincture in a 1:2 ratio with water and spray on affected areas[10]
§ Inflammation
· Sprinkle tincture on food[11]
§ Urinary tract infections
· Sprinkle tincture on food[12]
Most modern research and references to using calendula for wound treatment suggest its use for minor issues. However, it was quite commonly used during the American Civil War and the First World War for treating wounded soldiers. And most of those wounds were anything but minor.[13]
Effects: Anti-inflammatory[14], antifungal (comparable to nystatin).[15]
Caution. Calendula should be probably be avoided by those with severe allergies to ragweeds. Other than that, there are no contraindications for usage and no known drug interactions.[16]
Links to related posts:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917203/
[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13596-015-0195-5
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9827526/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24969522/
[5] https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/jowc.2016.25.12.732
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9359387/
[7] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/calendula
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/calendula
[9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/calendula
[10] https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/calendula-great-herb-dogs/
[11] https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/calendula-great-herb-dogs/
[12] https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/calendula-great-herb-dogs/
[13] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/calendula
[14] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7809203/
[15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3768360/
[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917203/
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