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Calendula: The Cheerful Bloom That Packs a Healing Punch
- Jodi McKee
- Apr 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: May 8
Calendula officinalis
You’ve probably seen Calendula before — it’s the sunshine-hued flower that looks like it’s smiling at you from the garden bed. But behind that golden glow is a serious herbal powerhouse. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) isn’t just pretty; it’s practical. Like, fix-a-bug-bite, soothe-your-digestion, balance-your-cycle kind of sensible.
So let’s dive into what makes Calendula a must-grow, must-know herb — from the garden to the medicine cabinet.
First, the science stuff......
Common Name
Calendula, bride of the sun, bull flower, butterwort, common marigold, drunkard, English marigold, field marigold, garden marigold, golding, gold bloom, golds, hen and chickens, holligold, husbandman's dial, mally gowl, marigold, marybud, marygold, mary's gold, poet's marigold, poor man's saffron, pot marigold.
Botanical Description
Calendula is a short-lived perennial that is often grown as an annual. The plant has a sticky texture due to its resin content. Calendula reaches up to 24 inches in height, with its stalk supporting many branching stems and oblong leaves that are 3-6 inches long. The orange or yellow flower heads are 1-3 inches across and have a central cluster of tubular flowers surrounded by several rows of ray florets.
Growing Calendula: Sunshine & Sass Required
Light: Calendula likes full sun but doesn’t do drama (a.k.a. heatwaves). It prefers cooler seasons, such as spring and fall. Think sweater weather, not summer scorch.
Water: Keep it lightly moist but not soggy. If your plant starts drooping or sprouting to seed, it’s probably thirsty or stressed, like the rest of us in August.
Soil: It’ll grow in average soil, but if you give it a rich, organic buffet, it’ll bloom its heart out. Just don’t overdo the nitrogen, or you’ll get lush leaves and no flowers.
Spacing & Planting: Space seeds about 5 inches apart. Sow ½" deep, water lightly, and give them sunshine. They’re not fussy, just a bit particular.
Pro tip: Calendula may slow down in summer but will likely pick back up once fall cools things off — if you keep deadheading the old blooms and give it a sip now and then.
Harvesting Calendula Like a Pro (or a Slightly Obsessed Herbalist)
Calendula blooms non-stop from spring through fall, and the more you pick, the more it gives — truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Harvest every 2–3 days, once the dew has dried and the blooms look perky.
Your fingers will get sticky — that's the resinous bracts at the base of the flower head (aka, the medicine).
Dry your flowers in a warm, airy spot using screens or baskets. The petals should be crispy, and the green base should be slightly bendy but dry. If in doubt, over-dry mold is not medicinal.
Calendula Confusion: Not All Marigolds Are Created Equal
Calendula is often called “pot marigold,” which can lead to mix-ups with Tagetes, the ornamental marigold commonly found lining driveways and repelling pests. Cute? Yes. Medicinal? Nope.
Use only true Calendula officinalis for herbal medicine. Look for full flower heads with sticky green bases — not just petals in a jar. (Petals-only = pretty but weak medicine.)
So What Does Calendula Do, Anyway?
Short answer: a lot. Long answer: let’s break it down.
Internal Support: Digestion, Immunity & Hormone Harmony
A gentle digestive ally: Calendula soothes gut inflammation, supports bile flow (hello, cholagogue action), and can even support treatment for H. pylori and peptic ulcers.
A lymphatic stimulant: It helps your body drain gunk, support swollen lymph nodes, and reduce inflammation during colds, tonsillitis, and beyond.
A menstrual mover: Known for regulating cycles, easing cramps, and tonifying the uterus. Herbalist David Hoffmann called it “a normalizer of the menstrual process.” Same, David. Same.
Topical Hero: Skin, Wounds & Beyond
Calendula is one of the best vulneraries (wound healers) in the herbal world — and it’s been doing the job since before the Civil War. Literally.
It’s:
Anti-inflammatory
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Astringent (without the burn)
Soothing to burns, rashes, bites, cuts, scrapes, diaper rash, athlete’s foot, sunburns, yeast, and more.
Used in oils, creams, poultices, and salves — it’s basically the Beyoncé of herbal skincare.
Beyond the Skin: Joints, Heart, and Traditional Uses
Calendula’s anti-inflammatory magic may also help with:
Joint pain (one study showed relief in rheumatoid arthritis patients using a topical prep)
Circulatory support (hemorrhoids, varicose veins)
Traditional use in heart support and Lung/Liver meridians in Chinese Medicine
Bonus fun fact: Nicholas Culpeper (a 17th-century herbalist and part-time sass master) said Calendula “strengthens the heart.” We like his style.
How to Use Calendula
Here are some favorite forms of use — whether you’re treating a rash, sipping for cramps, or making your own salve:
Infused oil
Tea or tincture
Compress or poultice
Mouthwash or gargle
Sitz bath
Infused vinegar
Lotion
Added to soups or salads (yes, it’s edible!)
Safety Stuff (Because Herbs Are Powerful)
Calendula is not recommended during pregnancy — it's a uterine stimulant and traditional emmenagogue. It may also cause allergic reactions in folks sensitive to the Asteraceae family (think daisies, ragweed, chamomile). Animal studies suggest it could enhance sedative or hypotensive medications, so check with your provider if you’re taking those.
And most importantly, clean wounds thoroughly before applying Calendula, or it might seal in what should be removed.
Final Thoughts
Calendula isn’t just a bright, cheery flower — it’s a first-aid kit, hormone helper, and digestive support system in bloom. Whether you sip it, slather it, or admire it in your garden, this herb has earned a permanent place in the home herbalist’s lineup.
And bonus — it’s gorgeous, generous, and impossible not to love. Like your favorite garden guest who shows up uninvited, brings snacks, and ends up being the life of the party.
Want to learn how to grow more healing herbs like Calendula?
Grab my ebook Harvest & Herb: A Modern Medicinal Garden and start building your backyard apothecary today.
Want to try a high-quality Calendula Herbal Oil? It's available on my Fullscript store. It's free to join and sign up!
Get a copy of our FREE Calendula Salve Recipe Here.
References:
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