I’m not sure if it’s the sun finally making an appearance in Buffalo, the songbirds returning north, or the fact that I just wrapped up research on this golden flower for my lymphatic system material—but right now, I’m completely obsessed with Calendula officinalis.
I feel like Calendula (alongside Echinacea and Nettles) is often a gateway herb into herbalism. It’s incredibly versatile, especially in herbal product making. And let’s be real—when we first start down this herbalism path, we want to make all the products. It’s just so tempting! Personally, the first herbal salve I ever made had Calendula as the star of the show. I even sprinkled a few petals on top for that extra bit of pizazz—it was beautiful. Did I sell a single one? Absolutely not. But I adored it for myself!
What I love most about Calendula is that beyond its usefulness in products, it’s also an incredible teacher. It introduces us to the world of vulnerary and alterative herbal actions—terms that might seem foreign at…
