Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine August 2020 Vol 5 Issue 3

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

Calendula: Sunshine in the Garden

seed, although I always add a few extra seeds in spring to make sure I have enough plants for harvesting. They prefer full sun and appreciate water… although in my gardens here in Kansas, I’m not for watering much in our hot, dry summers and they still preform like a champ. Now, let’s move on to why you would want to grow calendula. First off, this beautiful, edible flower can be used in a variety of foods and beverages. The petals can be added to salads, salsas, eggs and drinks for a fun burst of color and the entire flower can be added to teas, broths and soups for added nutrition. Moving on to its medicinal value… it’s anti- inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties make it an invaluable herb for the skin whether alone or in combination with other herbs. Look for it in herbal products or make your own concentrated tea or infused oil and apply it to skin issues such as cuts, scratches, infections, eczema, bug bites, burns, athlete’s foot and diaper rash. And the best part, it can be used on animals as well! Here’s a secret, next time you have a sunburn, brew up a calendula

tea, cool it down in the refrigerator, then spritz on the area and see what you think! Not only is it good for the skin on the outside, but also for the skin on the inside! Traditionally, this herb has had beneficial effects on those suffering with gastrointestinal issues such as heartburn, ulcers and diarrhea. Additionally, its antifungal properties can also be helpful for those struggling with gut dysbiosis or candida overgrowth. As a mouthwash, it can also be helpful for gum inflammation and infection. Calendula, along with its antiviral properties, encourages lymphocytic activity to maintain a healthy immune system. It also stimulates stagnant lymph congestion to reduce pain and clear the body of waste and toxins that can cause swollen lymph nodes and other tissues. Recently, research has been published showing that calendula can also be beneficial in the prevention, treatment and palliative care of cancer patients. In 2018, the Integrative Cancer Therapies Journal reviewed ten years of studies on calendula extracts and

Calendula is one of my favorite summer herbs, both to grow and to use. The bright yellow flowers put a smile on my face every time I see them. Part of the reason I smile is because this medicinal herb is so easy to grow! I did not grow up gardening, we lived in the city and while my parents enjoyed ‘landscaping’, the thought of a garden, let alone a medicinal herb garden was not on their radar. So, when I decided to plant my first garden, I was under the impression you just toss out seeds, add a little water and boom, you have plants. Fast forward a few years and I now own a medicinal herb farm, so I have had to learn a little about soil fertility. That said, calendula really doesn’t take much more than tossing out some seed and adding water! But as with anything, a little TLC will yield a few more flowers. This plant belongs to the marigold family, but if you are wanting to grow for medicinal purposes, make sure you look for seeds or plants marked ‘calendula officinalis’. They range in color from a light yellow to a deep orange and if you keep picking the flowers, they will bloom almost all summer and even into fall. This beautiful annual will self-

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