Calendula: Herb Talk Tuesdays

Yay! Flowers! I absolutely love Calendula (aka Marigold). Not only do I enjoy to eat the flower buds in herb salads, but I also practice with it internally in tincture form and topically in lotions and body oils.

Calendula (Calendula Officinalis):
Also known as Marigold, Marybud, Pot Marigold, Garden Marigold and Gold Bloom. The name comes from the Latin word calendae, meaning first day of the month referring to the plant’s continual flowering pattern. Native to the Mediterranean. The flowers are collected when fully open then they are dried. Each flower has a bright yellow or orange corolla with a slightly bitter and salty taste and odor. Contains flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, carotenoids and volatile oils. Relieves inflammation of the digestive tract and promotes the healing of skin tissue. Has anti-microbial properties which help to fight infection, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and other digestive disorders. Treats mouth ulcers. Relieves the symptoms of bleeding gums, gingivitis and sore throat (in a gargle combined with echinacea). Menstrual cycle normalizer for irregular or delayed periods. Helps against painful menstruation. May also be used as a douche to treat some cases of vaginal discharge. Helps relieve vaginal dryness and redness in menopausal women. Helps with sluggish digestion, constipation and bloating. Acts on the liver and gallbladder to improve the quality of bile, and digestive secretion from the liver that helps to break down dietary fats into smaller fragments for digestion. May also help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Helps treat conjunctivitis, blepharitis, eczema, minor burns including sunburns, warts and minor injures such as sprains, coughs and snake bites. Effective for juvenile acne and dry phthiriasis. Is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-haemornhagic, vulnerary and a mild diaphoretic. 

My favorite brand of Calendula tincture is from Herb Pharm.

My favorite brand of Calendula Oil is from Weleda.

Or you can try to make your own!  Just make sure to get organic flowers for your concoctions.

Flower powered,
c

Oil of Oregano: Herb Talk Tuesdays

Herbz are a huge part of my life. Not only do they inspire me artistically, but they hold amazing medicinal powers. These plants are natures gift to us and I turn to them first whenever in need of some healing. I have only taken antibiotics once in the past 5 years after getting a very bad cough that I just couldn’t shake but really wholeheartedly do my best not to take them at all. Here is a good article about antibiotics.

I keep about 6 kinds of herbs around all the time but there are so many amazing ones out there that I have used or am exploring more about. I am going to start “Herb Talk Tuesdays” here on the blog because there are so many different ones and it is hard to take in information about each one all at once. They all deserve their own posts.

Oil of Oregano (Origanum Vulgare) is my go to herb. I have spent a lot of time researching and practicing with it. I love it. Seriously, love it. The following notes were taken from this site.

“Isomeric phenols in Oregano Oil in dilutions as low as 1/50,000 destroys Candida Albicans, the Aspergillus mold, Staphylococcus, Campy Lobacter, Klebsiella, E.Coli, Giardia, Pseudomonas and Proteus. Another phenol constituent, Thymol, boosts the immune system. Those compounds act as free radical scavengers (shield against toxins) thus preventing further tissue damage while encouraging healing. Oregano Oil is antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic. It also has strong antioxidant and anti-flammatory effects and is an ideal product for people who suffer from CFS and/or Fibromyalgia. Been employed to treat indigestion, diarrhea, nervous tension, insect bites, toothache, earache, rheumatism and coughs due to whooping cough and bronchitis (Primarily for its antispasmodic effects). Well known for its ability to slow down food spoilage. Related herbs: Thyme and Marjoram.”

I take Oregano Oil in capsule form from a company called Gaia Herbs. Taking it in capsule form insures you are getting the right dose. Plus, Oregano Oil is pretty spicy. I’ve taken it in essential oil form (one drop in a shot of water), but it burns your mouth a tad. Not the most recommended way to take it but won’t kill you if you are in dire straights. If you are new to taking this herb, you might want to eat something with it. It may make you burp a bit. I take this herb quite often and I very very rarely “catch a cold”.

Always make sure the herbs you buy come from a reputable company. You want them to be organic and you want the extractions to come from the right part of the plant. Gaia Herbs is one of the best companies out there. A bottle of good Oregano Oil will cost you about $22. But I swear to you its worth it.

To the little things,
c

Tomorrow’s Topic: Workin it Out