Soothing, Safe & Powerful: The Calendula Guide for Everyday Healing

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If you’ve ever found yourself browsing the aisles of a natural health store or explored herbal remedies online, you’ve probably come across Calendula; a vibrant golden flower revered throughout the ages for its incredible healing properties.

Also more commonly known as pot marigold, Calendula isn’t just beautiful, it may just be one of the most useful herbs you’ll ever bring home.

Illustration of vibrant calendula flowers with text highlighting skincare benefits - including soothing inflammation, boosting collagen, moisturizing dry skin, and protecting against environmental damage. Represents natural skincare and herbal healing.

The Crown Jewel of Herbal Skincare

This bright flower is super special, helping to soothe a huge range range of skin concerns from stubborn rashes, minor burns, itchy bug bites, and even scarring!

Calendula has been used for thousands of years and has truly earned its reputation as a genuine “cure-all.” I even remember my Oma rubbing it on my multiple nettle stings and my grazes when I was little.

The beauty of natural products made with this plant, is that they’re completely safe for everyone! From little babies to super sensitive elderly skin types, and everyone in between.

Best of all, if you cannot be bothered to make your own, it’s widely available in any health food store, just make sure you check the ingredients to make sure there aren’t any hidden nasties! Amazon has some great options like this one from Ora’s Amazing Herbal Store as an all-purpose salve for life’s little dry patches.

Homemade soothing calendula salve in glass jars with bright orange calendula flowers on a rustic wooden table. Natural healing balm rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties for dry, irritated, or sensitive skin.

DIY Calendula Lotion: A Healing Blend

You can easily integrate this flower’s soothing benefits into your daily skincare routine with this simple homemade calendula lotion. Perfect for applying daily after your shower, this lotion will nourish and soothe your skin naturally.

All-Natural Calendula Lotion Recipe:

For the Calendula-Infused Oil:
- 1/2 cup dried calendula flowers
- 1/2 cup sunflower oil
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup shea butter
For Calendula Tea:
- 1/2 cup dried calendula flowers
- 2 cups water

Instructions:

Make the Calendula-Infused Oil:
- Melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Add sunflower oil and calendula flowers, stirring gently.
- Simmer the mixture for at least 30 minutes to infuse thoroughly.
- Strain out the petals with a sieve or cheesecloth and pour the oil into a glass bowl. Place it in the freezer until it hardens up.

Illustrated step-by-step guide showing how to make calendula oil at home using dried calendula petals, a carrier oil like jojoba or almond, and a glass jar. A natural skincare remedy for soothing, hydrating, and healing the skin.

Make Calendula Tea:
- Combine calendula flowers and water in a small saucepan.
- Warm gently over medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Strain out the petals, reserving the tea.

Glass cup filled with freshly brewed calendula tea made from dried calendula flowers. A natural herbal infusion known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin-nourishing benefits.

Blend & Store:
- Spoon hardened calendula-infused oil into a blender.
- Turn blender on high and slowly drizzle in the calendula tea.
- Blend until the oil and tea start to emulsify into a creamy lotion.
- Pour into bottles and store in the refrigerator.

Calendula Tea for Your Period

If you fancy trying this flower tea, expect a mild and earthy, slightly floral flavor with a hint of sweetness. A perfect soothing cuppa to sip warm or chilled.

For us women, it’s particularly valued for its ability to ease menstrual cramps and support hormonal balance. This tea also naturally reduces inflammation thanks to its natural flavonoids and antioxidants.

Did I mention it also promotes healthy, glowing skin from within? As well as supporting gentle liver detoxification helping the body process hormones and toxins more efficiently.

White dog sitting among calendula flowers, representing natural pet care using calendula to soothe itchy or inflamed skin, heal minor wounds, relieve hot spots, and moisturize cracked paws.

Healthy Healing for Your Pets

This punchy flower isn’t just beneficial for humans – pets adore its soothing properties too! It’s an excellent natural solution for furry friends with itchy skin, minor wounds, or hotspots. If you are looking for a good brand, Ziggy Marley’s Organic Paw Balm is great for paws and more!

If you prefer to take care of things in a more DIY way. Simply brew a weak calendula tea and allow it to cool completely. Then you can pop it in a spray bottle and use it to spray the affected areas on your pet whenever needed.

This will help to reduce inflammation, speed healing, and provide gentle relief without irritation. Before using this rinse, it may be a good idea to give your pet a naturally soothing oat bath (link to my other blog post). Another excellent way to help relieve common skin problems in our furry friends to prep and calm their skin.

Bright orange calendula flowers on yellow background with dog

Around Your Home

Beyond skincare and pet care, this colorful flower has loads of other practical purposes around the home:

Natural Air Freshener: Dried petals or flowerheads placed in bowls around your home offer a subtle, refreshing scent, keeping spaces smelling fresh without chemicals.

Dried calendula flowers in wooden bowl for herbal skincare

Soothing Bath Soak/Soap: Add dried calendula flowers to your bathwater for a skincare treat! Or you can make your own calendula soap for a luxurious soak. Calming irritated skin and relaxing your senses after a stressful day.

Natural handmade calendula soap bars decorated with bright orange calendula flowers on a rustic wooden surface. Gentle herbal skincare soap known for calming irritated, dry, or sensitive skin naturally.

Pest Repellent: Planting calendula in your garden naturally repels pests like aphids, helping you protect your vegetables and herbs without harsh insecticides and adding a splash of colour.

All of these natural benefits and all the while the flowers still support the helpful pollinators like our bees and butterflies, so you’re also doing your local eco-system a favor!

Orange calendula flowers growing in garden

Protection Throughout The Ages

In medieval European folklore, this flower wasn’t just admired for its beauty or soothing qualities. Interestingly enough, it was also considered a powerful protector against dark magic.

Many used to believe that calendula could strip a witch of her will, making it a popular choice in charms and rituals meant to ward off evil.

Its vibrant golden petals were thought to embody the purifying power of the sun, bringing light, protection, and healing to those who used it.

Close-up of a single calendula flower in bloom, symbolizing its traditional use in folklore to ward off evil spirits and bring protection. Represents calendula’s historical and spiritual significance as well as its modern-day healing benefits.

What’s your favorite thing to make from Calendula? Share your recipes, comments and experiences in the comments section below!

Bottle of calendula infused oil with dried flowers on wooden table

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