Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Lesson Question

[Lisabeth SeverinStudent]

I just finished watching the monograph on Calendula and I have to give compliments to the good Doctor for the monograph and the downloadable PDF for the monograph. It answered a lot of questions I had on Calendula that I had from reading the Herbal Quickview. It even has a formula for Colon Diverticulae that includes Calendula that I didn’t see when I read the lessons on the lower digestion system.

I still have a question:

1 – Does it matter what color the Calendula blossoms are? ie: are bright orange and bright yellow flowers going to be more medicinal than creamy/pastel colors? The calendula flower variety I grow, called “Pacific Beauty Mix”, has all sorts of colors, including brilliant orange and yellow. Somewhere I got the idea that the bright orange and yellow flowers are more medicinal, so I just grow the pastel ones for variety, not medicine. However, if its like yarrow (Achillea millefolium), which Doc Jones mentioned its remarkably similar in uses in the video, it doesn’t matter what color the flower is.

I think it was from Stephen Harrod Buhner’s comment on making a tincture from Calendula officinalis: “Tincture, fresh flower, 1:2; dried flower (must be brilliant orange/yellow), 1:5, 70 percent alcohol.” (page 367 of Herbal Antibiotics, 2nd Edition) I think maybe I misread that as the best flowers for medicine are brilliant orange/yellow not pastels, but he probably meant the dried flowers must still be bright to make good medicine? I’m not sure.

I know there are people who even grow the pink version of calendula and use it for medicine.

Thanks

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Sydnia Ginger Anady

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I wouldn’t guess there’s a huge difference in the strength of the various colors. If I were buying Calendula to plant/grow, I’d buy the orange/yellow variety. If I needed some and all I had was cute pink ones in my garden, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them.

I have seed I just harvested if anyone needs some.

Calendula Seed (Calendula officinalis)

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Lisabeth Severin

[Author]

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