Calendula Tea

Calendula is one of those herbs that has been much valued throughout the ages, for its medicinal properties. The history of calendula has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who used it for healing burns, bruises, wounds, etc. It was also used for treating stomach problems, like indigestion. In some regions, calendula was used for treating smallpox, measles, etc. It was the ancient Romans that named the plant calendula. It is said that this plant was also used during the U.S. Civil War, for healing wounds of the injured soldiers. Calendula is used in various forms like, tea, poultice, tincture, extract, ointment, calendula oil, etc. This article deals with the various aspects of calendula tea.

Calendula Facts

Calendula plants belong to the family Asteraceae and genus Calendula that consists of around 15 to 20 species. The most commonly cultivated species is Calendula officinalis. Calendula plants are native to some parts of Asia and Europe. Calendula, which is otherwise known as marigold or pot marigold, is a plant with many uses. Apart from being grown as a garden plant, for its attractive yellowish orange flowers, calendula flowers are also edible and are used for culinary and medicinal purposes too. However, it has to be noted that there are many other types of marigold, like the commonly found Tagetes species. So, it is very important to confirm that the plant you are using is Calendula officinalis. Studies show that calendula has components like calendulin, beta carotene, sterols, rutin, other carotenoids, etc. It is also rich in polysaccharides. Due to the presence of these beneficial compounds, calendula is said to have numerous benefits. This article deals with the benefits of calendula tea.

Calendula Tea Recipe

Calendula tea is made of fresh or dried flowers of the plant. The fully open flowers are usually hand picked and washed gently with a light spray of water, before the petals are removed. Once removed, the moisture has to be blotted with tissues and then, the petals have to spread evenly on screens that are placed in a warm, dark location that has good ventilation. Make sure to turn the petals frequently, so as to ensure proper drying. Once dried completely, collect them in plastic bags that have to be stored in the refrigerator. You may also use store bought organic calendula tea. In order to prepare a cup of calendula tea, add two teaspoons of calendula petals into a tea infuser and place it in a cup of boiled water. Let it steep for around ten to fifteen minutes and after that, you can use it with or without sweeteners. Now that you know how to make calendula tea, let us take a look at some of the calendula tea benefits.

Benefits of Calendula Tea

As mentioned, calendula has been used by humans for a very long time, in various forms. Calendula tea is one of the popular methods of using this herb. This herbal tea is said to have various health benefits. It is widely used for treating bowel problems like, stomach ulcers, heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, stomach upset, gastritis, etc. It is said that calendula can protect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Calendula tea is also claimed to have detoxifying properties. Gargling with calendula tea is said to be good for relief from sore throat and inflammation of the mouth. It is also beneficial for conjunctivitis or pink eye, as cool calendula tea is used to rinse the eyes. Calendula tea is also said to be effective in regulating menstrual cycles. You might have heard about the use of calendula tea for skin conditions, as it is claimed that this herb can fight infections, arrest bleeding, help in collagen production and sooth skin. So, it is used to treat burns, cuts, wounds, bruises, etc. Some people use it for relief from pain and inflammation caused by bee and wasp stings. Even fever and common cold is said to be treated with calendula tea. Calendula tea is not to be consumed for more than three times a day.

In short, calendula tea is said to improve health in many different ways. However, it should be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Even though calendula is said to be one of the safest herbs, it may cause allergic reactions in people, who have ragweed allergy or those with pollen allergies. It is also suggested that if you want to use calendula tea for treating health problems, consult a qualified herbal practitioner and act as per his instructions.