Herb of the Year: Calendula

The 2008 International Herb of the year is Calendula officinalis, fam. Asteraceae.
It’s known by various names, Calendula or pot marigold being the most common.  Don’t confuse it with the more common marigold from your garden; that is a different plant from a different family altogether, though they look similar.

This herb has many uses and is one you should have available in your herbal medicine chest in one or another form.  Calendula is known to be anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.  It is very useful in wound healing and in inflammation of mucous membranes.  You can purchase a preparation of it in most health food stores, the gel, cream or the ointment are the most commonly found.

You can make a tea by steeping the flowers or dried flowers in water for 10-15 minutes.  This tea is useful for inflammation of the throat or mouth.  It has also been used to treat ulcers or other inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Calendula is a terrific herb to use for all sorts of wounds or other skin irritations.  I use a Calendula ointment for scrapes, scratches, bruises and insect stings as well as for minor burns.   I make my own ointment (and so can you) or you can purchase it in your local health food store.  Let me know if you would like directions as to how to prepare your own ointment.

You should not use Calendula internally if you are pregnant, as it may stimulate menstrual activity.  You should be cautious in using Calendula if you are allergic to any of the Asteraceae family of plants of which it is a member. 

This really gripes me

Today on the news, there was a report about over the counter cold medicines for adults.  Last week they reported that over the counter medicines should not be used for children under the age of two.

Today’s report began by questioning the usefulness of common over the counter cold and cough remedies.  It’s the winter cold/flu season after all and the companies that manufacture and promote these medicines put a lot of their advertising dollars into promoting them at this time of the year.  The gist of the news report was that many of these remedies have been around for a while and have not been tested with today’s rigorous standards of testing.  However, the reporter noted, many people rely on these medicines because they have used them in the past and indeed they have soothed their sore throats, coughs etc.  This was stated in a manner that assumed that it is good that people rely on past experience to continue buying the cough syrups and other remedies.

Contrast that with the current criticism of many herbal remedies that have not been studied “sufficiently” or “rigorously enough” by the medical and scientific community.  The usefulness of these remedies is often based on centuries of folklore and anecdotal evidence that they work.  In addition, many of the people who promote various herbal remedies have spent years studying and practicing alternative methods of healing.  But “scientific journals” often dismiss the evidence as “merely anecdotal”.

Can you say Double Standard? 

Garlic, the wonder herb

I think that if I had only one herb to choose from all the others, it would be garlic!  If you are uncomfortable with the idea or reality of “garlic breath” then stop here!  But really, what do you have to lose by reading?

Garlic, the ingredient that makes your kitchen smell good to most of us, has a lot of health properties that are now being investigated by the medical establishment.

Let’s start with a few basics.  Garlic, known officially as Allium sativum, is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae).  whew!  It grows well in many climates, and you could probably grow it in your garden if you are so inclined.  Garlic has been used all over the world both in raw or cooked form both for taste and for health and wellness issues.  Many of these issues, are now “officially” being studied.

Garlic is great as an anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant, among other claims.  But don’t put raw garlic directly on your skin, it could burn.  Use it in an ointment, decoction or oil.  Many people who have been told they have high blood pressure have tried using garlic and know of its value in this area.

And I give my dog garlic and yeast tablets — sold in many pet stores — to help ward off fleas (apparently the little buggers don’t like the taste/smell of the dog’s skin when she has ingested garlic!) 

So what should you do?  I recommend that if you are not currently using garlic in your cooking that you try it, put the raw clove through a press and use it in the oil to saute your vegetables or meats.  Or use it in your salad dressing.  If you prefer, you can use garlic supplements that you find in a health food store.  But be sure they are potent.  Some people find that too much raw garlic is hard on their digestive system.  If this is the case, try using it cooked (roasted garlic is excellent) or in supplement tablets.

For garlic breath, chew on a sprig of parsley after your meal, this will freshen your breath.

Opening Blog

Welcome to my herbs and wellness blog.  My objective is to use this space to contribute to a discussion of ways we all can use herbs and other natural methods to increase our health and well-being.  I am not a medical professional but have studied herbs and am still studying many alternative methods of healing.  The more I learn the more I want to know. 

We welcome comments and questions on this site.