Calendula is made from the common garden marigold and has been in use for hundreds of years as both an herbal and homeopathic treatment for a wide variety of symptoms. Calendula tincture is often used to treat skin ailments and the homeopathic form of calendula is primarily used internally for infections and fever. Consult your health practitioner or a homeopath for additional guidelines for use specific to your case.
Internal Treatment for Skin Conditions
Homeopathic calendula has many uses when taken internally. It is indicated for skin ailments, open wounds from injuries or surgical sutures. It helps to heal the skin regardless of the cause of the disease or injury. It is useful for the treatment of herpes and erysipelas and promotes draining in skin boils and other infections to the skin and underlying tissue. Calendula helps to heal burns and promotes healthy healing of the skin with little or no suppuration, or pus formation. Homeopathic calendula is taken orally and is safe for adults and children as long as it is used according to directions and under the supervision of a homeopath or other knowledgeable practitioner.
Fever
Homeopathic calendula is used to treat fevers, especially those associated with infections resulting from bacterial skin conditions and blood poisoning. Internal doses of homeopathic calendula help to cleanse the blood of pathogens, according to homeopath Dr. William Boericke in the "Materia Medica and Repertory." The person needing calendula for fever usually has great sensitivity to open air, shudders from chills, has cold hands and feet even during the heat of the fever, and copious perspiration.
Topical Calendula Uses
In addition to being available as homeopathic pills, calendula is also available as a tincture for topical use from homeopathic pharmacies. The tincture is in an alcohol base and is usually diluted with water. The diluted tincture works well for healing cuts, abrasions and wounds to the skin. In addition, diluted calendula is useful for treating skin and mucus membranes in places "where the sun doesn't shine." Calendula has antiseptic and antibiotic properties, writes James Duke in "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook." A non-alcohol version of the tincture can be mixed with water and applied to creases and folds in the skin to treat a skin rash or itchy yeast infections, used as an eye wash, applied to burned skin or as a vaginal douche. Non-alcoholic calendula can also be used as a mouth wash to relieve inflamed tissues from gum disease or a herpes attack. Do not swallow calendula. If you use it in your mouth take care to spit it out. Do not use calendula tincture in a child's mouth, even if it is mixed with water. It is not poisonous, but can cause stomach upset when consumed in liquid form. Calendula is safe for adults and children when applied to the skin. Consult an herbal specialist for directions for mixing calendula with water and other substances.
Calendula Ointments
Liquid calendula tincture is often mixed with creams, oils and ointments to make soothing applications for skin ailments. You can buy prepared calendula ointments from the health food store or make your own. Generally, calendula is mixed with olive oil, coconut oil or lanolin to prepare a topical cream or ointment. Various recipes are available in herbal books or online. Calendula mixed with lanolin, olive oil and arnica makes an excellent hemorrhoid cream.
Some homeopaths suggest dissolving homeopathic calendula pills in water and applying the solution to the skin for relief of abrasions or other sores. This may work well when using calendula in a low potency. Do not mix the dissolved homeopathic remedy with oils or other ointments because it may lose its potency when doing so.
Other Considerations
Homeopathic calendula is available over-the-counter from health food stores or online without a prescription. Calendula tincture is available from homeopathic pharmacies. If you are unable to find the tincture, you can substitute herbal calendula extract. It, too, must be diluted with water. If you are using either form of calendula and your symptoms persist or worsen, consult a homeopath or other health practitioner for medical advice.
References
- "Materia Medica and Repertory"; William Boericke; 1998
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
- "Homeopathic Drug Pictures"; Dr. Margaret Tyler; 1987
- "Back to Eden"; Jethro Kloss; 2004
- "Medicinal Plants of North America: A Field Guide"; Jim Meuninck; 2008
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