Home Herbal Remedies: Calendula Gardening & Cultivating

In treating conditions ranging from athlete's foot to abscesses, many individuals are turning to natural healing processes. With herbal remedies at the forefront of most allopathic medicine approaches, American consumers are becoming more intrigued by the healing properties without traditional medicine intervention.

One such herbal remedy, calendula, is making a name for itself among herbalist and American consumers who seek a natural form of treatment. Historically, calendula was most commonly used as an herbal remedy for wound healing, including burns, scrapes and even gangrene. More recently, however, calendula has been used in the most basic of complications, including diarrhea, eczema, and acne and even to relieve, to some degree, toothache pain.

So, what is calendula? From a gardening perspective, calendula is known as the garden marigold. Native to Asia, calendulas open their bright yellow flowers in the early morning and then close the flowering bud in the hours of dusk.

Grown in the United States, calendula is found many home gardens and landscapes and may even be right in your very own backyard! Because the plant grows best in the hot sun, and is easily re-seeded year after year, there is a proliferate growth of calendula in all areas of the United States.

To cultivate your own calendula herbal therapy, it is quite simple. Growing calendula, or garden marigold, in your own yard, simply wait for the morning bloom to occur. Once this happens, wait for the dew and moisture to dry. Pick the flowers and place them in a room that is breezy and away from direct sunlight with a temperature around 70 degrees. Be sure the room has adequate airflow as the calendula carry a very potent scent.

Once the calendulas are dried, pull the center blossom out and throw it away. The remaining florets, the flowering part of the calendula, can then be used for their medicinal properties. When not used, the calendula will remain potent for up to 12 months if they are stored in an air tight container in a dark area, such as a pantry or closet.