Calendula - Magical & Medicinal Correspondence

MATERIA MAGICA: CALENDULA 

From Magickal Herbs by Judy Ann Knock:

Calendula is cited in both the Ayurvedic tradition as well as in traditional Chinese medicine. In medieval times, calendula was regarded as a magical herb as well as a medicinal and culinary. Used ritually in the classical Greco-Roman world, calendula is seen in the garlands that adorn deities of the Hindu faith as well as in offerings to ancestors on the Day of the Dead in Central America. For the Romans, calendula was a symbol of joy. The bright yellow flowers of the calendula plant have been used to produce dye, to flavor food, and even to impart an attractive yellow hue to cheese. Calendula is native to southern Europe and takes its name from “calends,” also known as the first of the month in the ancient Roman calendar. The blossoms of Calendula officinalis open in the morning and follow the sun, closing in the late afternoon. Calendula is among the most spiritually significant herbs. Garlands of calendula are used as a protective charm. The blossoms are used for protections against nightmares.

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From ThePracticalHerbalist.com:

While Calendula’s origins are somewhat disputed, there is no question as to how important this garden flower has been in more recent history.

Europeans and early American colonists relied on calendula’s sunny disposition and gentle immune boosting properties for protection against the damp, cold of winter. It was a common pot herb, meaning it was often used in soups and stews, as well as a regular ingredient in daily herbal infusions and beauty treatments.

Calendula has been revered as a magical medicinal for centuries as well.

Ancient Egyptians used calendula to rejuvenate their skin.

In ancient as well as modern India, Calendula is often strung into garlands for weddings and religious rituals.

Powers of protection and prophecy have been attributed to calendula.

Strewing calendula under your bed was said to offer you protection from robbers and thieves and to induce prophetic dreams if you had been robbed, helping you to identify the culprit.

When dealing with legal matters, it was considered wise to carry a bit of calendula in your pocket to ensure a positive outcome.

Bathing in calendula infusion was thought to give one a healthy, sunny glow that would draw admiration and respect from one’s community.

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From GoldenPoppyHerbs.com:

MATERIA MEDICA: CALENDULA 

Latin Name: Calendula officinalis

Common Names: Calendula, Pot Marigold

TCM Name: Jin zhan ju

Botanical Description: The flower heads of calendula are one to three inches across and have a central cluster of tubular flowers surrounded by several rows of ray florets (Foster, 1993). The stalk supports many branching stems and oblong medium green leaves from 3 to 6 inches long (Foster, 1993). The plant grows up to 24 inches tall

Parts Used: Flowers harvested as they open in early summer, dried in the shade. Calendula blooms nearly continuously from spring through fall as long as you continuously pick the blossoms.

Chemical Constituents: Flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, volatile oil, salicylic acid, mucilage and resin (calendulin), mucilage, carotenes

Preparation & Dosing:

• External applications: lotion, salve, or wash as needed

• Tincture: (Fresh Flowers 1:2, Dry Flowers 1:5, 70% alcohol) 5-30 drops, to 4X a day. Dilute with several parts of water for topical use

• Tea: 1 tablespoon for 8oz hot water, allow to steep for 30 minutes.

Energetics: warm and dry, slightly bitter

Parts Affected: skin, liver, gallbladder, lymph

Actions:

• antiseptic

• astringent

• vulnerary

• alterative

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antibacterial

• Immune Stimulant

• Anti-fungal

• Antiviral

• Cholagogue

• Diaphoretic

• Lymphatic

• Antispasmodic

• Emmenagogue

Primary Uses:

• Cleanses wounds, reduces inflammation, promotes healing, stimulates circulation

• Good for almost any ‘accident’, minor cuts, scrapes, burns, acne, rashes, broken bones, considered a heal-all herb

• Also good for fungal infections such as athletes foot and thrush due to it’s anti-microbial properties

• Helpful for diaper rash and sore nipples from breastfeeding

• Can help heal stretch marks after pregnancy

• Considered a cleansing herb, it can help with chronic skin problems such as acne and eczema

• Combines well with Plantain because it has similar actions and complimentary energetics

• Also helps with mild cases of stagnant liver

• Good for leaky gut, can help heal the lesions in the intestine

• Specific for congestion of the lymph in the creases of the pelvis

• Good for sitz baths or vaginal washes (not a douche!!) to cleanse the area

• Will help move the lymph through the body, promoting the removal of waste and illness

Cautions:  

• Do not use calendula oil on wounds that are infected and oozing pus or you could risk sealing in the infection

• A member of the Asteracaea family, it could cause reactions in those sensitive to the plant family

• Should not be used in pregnancy

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SOURCES

• Nock, Judy Ann. The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs (Modern Witchcraft Magic, Spells, Rituals) Adams Media.

• ThePracticalHerbalist.com

• GoldenPoppyHerbs.com (who sourced their article from the following):

  • American Botanical Council, 2000. Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Retrieved on September 30, 2014 from http://cms.herbalgram.org/expandedE/Calendulaflower.html.

  • Bennett, Robin Rose. (2014). The Gift of Healing Herbs.  Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

  • Blankenspoor, Juliet (2012). Calendula – Sunshine Incarnate – an Edible and Medicinal Flower. Retrieved on September 29, 2014 from http://blog.chestnutherbs.com/calendula-sunshine-incarnate-an-edible-and-medicinal-flower.

  • Culpeper, Nicholas (1653). The Complete Herbal. Bibliomania. Retrieved September 2014 from http://www.bibliomania.com/2/1/66/113/21123/1/frameset.html.

  • Edwards, Gail Faith. (2000) Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs. Woodstock, NY: Ash Tree Publishing.

  • Foster, Steven. (1993) Herbal Renaissance. Layton, UT: Peregrine Smith Books

  • Hoffman, David. (2003) Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

  • McIntyre, Anne. (1996) Flower Power. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, Inc.

  • Panahi Y, Sharif MR, et al. (2012). A randomized comparative trial on the therapeutic efficacy of topical aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on diaper dermatitis in children. ScientificWorldJournal. 2012;2012:810234.

  • Stubbe, CE and Valero, M (2013). Complementary strategies for the management of radiation therapy side effects. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2013 Jul;4(4):219-31.