“Homeopathically, Calendula is most highly prized for its healing and antiseptic properties and can be used either internally as a potentised remedy or externally as a tincture, ointment or cream.”

Calendula Officinalis (Marigold or Pot marigold) is a hardy annual flowering plant with beautiful deep orange flowers which open and close with the rising and setting of the sun. It happily self-seeds throughout the garden and once planted is rarely in short supply providing leaves and flower heads for use in salads and botanic teas. When topically applied, Calendula is particularly effective in cleaning wounds where it helps prevent suppuration and disfiguring scars. Always keep a bottle of Calendula tincture in your first aid cabinet and dilute when required (10 drops of tincture in ¼ litre of boiled, cooled water) to apply as a wash or compress to treat any of the complaints listed below. Calendula is used in the formulation of many different skin creams and lotions. Check in the glossary to make sure that these do not also contain other undesirable ingredients. Calendula essential oil in a coconut oil base makes a useful healing balm.