The Glow of the Garden: Calendula’s Bright Benefits

Bright, golden, and deeply soothing, calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a beloved staple in herbalism. Also known as pot marigold, this gentle yet powerful flower has been used to support skin health, ease minor irritation, and bring a touch of sunshine to wellness rituals. It can be infused into oils, brewed into teas, or incorporated into culinary creations, offering incredible versatility and vibrant healing energy.

If you’re looking to add a cheerful, beneficial herb to your home apothecary, calendula is a must-have. Below, we explore its key benefits and provide four easy recipes for you to try out.

Benefits of Calendula Flowers

1. Skin-Soothing Properties

Calendula is renowned for supporting healthy skin. Its natural compounds, such as flavonoids and triterpenoids, offer gentle calming and moisturizing effects. It’s often used topically to soothe dry, irritated, or stressed skin.

2. Supports Healthy Wound Recovery

From minor cuts to scrapes, calendula has traditionally been used to promote the skin’s natural healing process. It’s a common ingredient in salves, balms, and skin creams.

3. Antioxidant Support

Calendula’s high levels of antioxidants help support the body’s natural response to oxidative stress. This makes it a valuable herb for daily wellness routines.

4. Gentle Digestive Support 

Calendula tea has long been used to calm the digestive system and support healthy gastrointestinal function.

5. Energetic & Emotional Support

With its uplifting aroma and bright petals, calendula is considered energetically warming and heart-supportive. It promotes emotional balance and brings a little joy into your day.

 

4 Versatile Calendula Recipes

1. Homemade Calendula Herbal Infusion

This infusion is ideal for supporting gentle digestive comfort and promoting healthy, calm skin- whether sipped warm or applied topically.

Supplies & Ingredients:

• • 1 tablespoon Dried Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)

• • 8 ounces (1 cup) Hot water

• • Heat-safe ceramic or glass mug or teapot

• • Lid or small plate (to cover during steeping)

• • Strainer or mesh infuser

• • Optional: Clean jar with lid for storing if not used immediately

Instructions:

Place the dried calendula flowers in a heat-safe ceramic or glass mug or teapot. Pour 8 ounces of hot water over the herbs and cover immediately to preserve the medicinal volatile compounds. Allow the infusion to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out the flowers and compost or discard them. Pour the liquid into a glass and allow it to cool to a safe temperature until it's ready to be consumed.

Calendula infusions can be sipped warm for internal use, or allowed to cool and applied topically to the skin. If storing for later use (topical rinses, compresses, or mouth rinses), refrigerate and use within 24 hours.

2. Calendula Skin-Support Snacks 

Eat three to four of these snacks each day to support recovery from minor skin irritations.

Supplies & Ingredients:

• • ¼ cup Calendula powder (Calendula officinalis) 

  • ¼ cup Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) powder

  • ¼ cup Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) powder

  • ¼ cup Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) powder

  • ¼ cup Flaxseed oil or other seed oil

  • ¼ cup Sesame seeds (whole)

  • ½ cup Dried fruit of your choice

  • ½ cup Honey

  • Nut butter as needed to achieve cookie dough consistency

  • 8x8-inch pan

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend thoroughly. Add a little more honey and nut butter if the mixture is too stiff and dry, or a little more licorice powder if it is too sticky. 

Use hands to press the mixture into an 8x8-inch pan and chill for several hours or overnight. Use a knife or spatula to cut into one-inch squares, remove them from the pan, and store them in tightly sealed containers. 

3. Bright & Comforting Calendula Tea Blend

A lovely, golden herbal tea that supports digestion and overall wellness.

Ingredients:

• • 1 tbsp Dried Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) 

  • 1 tsp Dried German Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)

  • 1 tsp Dried Lemon balm leaf (Melissa officinalis)

  • 1 cup Hot water

Instructions:

Add the herbs to a tea infuser or heat-safe mug. Pour hot water over the blend and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and enjoy warm.

4. Calming Calendula Balm

Apply a small amount of this balm to clean, dry skin and massage gently until absorbed. Apply as needed to dry patches, chapped lips, cuticles, minor skin irritations, or areas that need extra nourishment. 

Supplies & Ingredients:

• • 2 pounds Fresh Calendula flowers and leaves (Calendula officinalis)

  • 1 ½ pounds Anhydrous lanolin

  • 1-2 ounces Beeswax

  • Muslin for straining

  • Clean jar with lid for storing

  • Optional: 4 ½ teaspoons Calendula (Calendula officinalis) infused oil

  • Optional: 1 ½ teaspoons Calendula (Calendula officinalis) tincture

Instructions:

Melt the lanolin in a double boiler or in a small pot over a saucepan of boiling water. Add the calendula flowers and leaves, then simmer gently for an hour or until the color is extracted into the lanolin.

Strain the hot lanolin and herb mixture through muslin, squeezing the herb to extract all the lanolin into a second double boiler or saucepan. Add the beeswax, tincture, and oil to the strained liquid. Stir well until all ingredients are melted together and pour into sterile jars. Leave to settle, then top up jars again. Allow to cool before putting on the lid.

Learn more ways to incorporate herbs in your daily life with HERB 101 Foundations of Herbal Studies offered by American College of Healthcare Sciences. 

 

Sources:

1. Alnuqaydan, A. M., Lenehan, C. E., Hughes, R. R., & Sanderson, B. J. (2015). Extracts from Calendula officinalis offer in vitro protection against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress cell killing of human skin cells. Phytotherapy Research, 29(1), 120–124. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5236

2. Braga, P. C., Dal Sasso, M., Culici, M., Spallino, A., Falchi, M., Bertelli, A., Morelli, R., & Lo Scalzo, R. (2009). Antioxidant activity of Calendula officinalis extract: inhibitory effects on chemiluminescence of human neutrophil bursts and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Pharmacology, 83(6), 348–355. https://doi.org/10.1159/000217583

3. Milenković, L., Ilić, Z. S., Stanojević, L., et al. (2025). Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of pot marigold Calendula officinalis: The impact of light modification. Plants, 14(22), 3512. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223512