Guest guest Posted February 9, 2004 Report Share Posted February 9, 2004 At 09:37 AM 2/8/04, you wrote: >Which Calendula Officinalis is better to use? The yellow or the orange >variety? Does it matter? I honestly don't think it matters...you get a richer color from the orange when you infuse them. Your source for superb Essential Oils, Aromatherapy Accessories, Information, Books and more! Visit us at: <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 Good morning! I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to give me a little input about calendula...I want to make a balm that has calendula in it...I actually have a recipe that I'm going to use...my question is...is there a calendula eo, or extract that I can find & use...or should I just infuse some of the dried herb that I have here on hand in olive oil? I tried to find some yesterday at the 2 health food stores that we have & couldn't find anything calendula. I went to the health food store yesterday & was going to buy a Calendula " first aid " cream that they had, but it had parabens in it & I personally don't care to use products with that preservative in it...if there is anyway I can get around it... Thank you so much for any guidance... Hope everyone has a Super Saturday! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 I love calendula and use to grow my own -- very easy and very beautiful by the way. I infused it myself. I didn't use the oil straight -- but did use it in other things. Also also included a bit of the dried petals in bath preparations. Susan H. I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to give me a little input about calendula...I want to make a balm that has calendula in it...I actually have a recipe that I'm going to use...my question is...is there a calendula eo, or extract that I can find & use...or should I just infuse some of the dried herb that I have here on hand in olive oil? I tried to find some yesterday at the 2 health food stores that we have & couldn't find anything calendula. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 I always infuse my herbs in either olive oil or rice bran oil or a mix of both, depending on what I have at the time. There are many places on line to buy herbs in large amounts and smaller amounts. If you are looking for a small I amount, I recommend www.herbalsoapsbyrj.com You can get an ounce or 2 or more. She's great to deal with and ships very fast, only charges actual postage costs and includes a tiny goodie bag with every order. You can used the infused oil to make some salve or non-petroleum jelly. I infuse calendula with a few other healing herbs, add a few drops of Vit. E and make some non-pet. jelly/salve and it works wonders on diaper rash. All 4 of my kids used it on their little ones and you could see a difference in the rash by the next diaper change. We all use it as an all purpose skin salve/balm and it works great. Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away Good morning! I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to give me a little input about calendula...I want to make a balm that has calendula in it...I actually have a recipe that I'm going to use...my question is...is there a calendula eo, or extract that I can find & use...or should I just infuse some of the dried herb that I have here on hand in olive oil? I tried to find some yesterday at the 2 health food stores that we have & couldn't find anything calendula. I went to the health food store yesterday & was going to buy a Calendula " first aid " cream that they had, but it had parabens in it & I personally don't care to use products with that preservative in it...if there is anyway I can get around it... Thank you so much for any guidance... Hope everyone has a Super Saturday! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 Hi Donna, You should be able to buy calendula petals at a health-food store. I’ve used then to color soap, and have been thinking of infusing them into oil. I don’t know how much of the healing virtue would be left in the dried petals, though. Of course you can grow marigolds anywhere, even in a pot on a windowsill. Dave Good morning! I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to give me a little input about calendula...I want to make a balm that has calendula in it... _____ -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release 2/10/2006 -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release 2/10/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 At 01:11 PM 2/11/2006, you wrote: >I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to give me a little input >about calendula...I want to make a balm that has calendula in it...I >actually have a recipe that I'm going to use...my question is...is there a >calendula eo, or extract that I can find & use...or should I just infuse >some of the dried herb that I have here on hand in olive oil? I tried to >find some yesterday at the 2 health food stores that we have & couldn't >find anything calendula. > >I went to the health food store yesterday & was going to buy a Calendula > " first aid " cream that they had, but it had parabens in it & I personally >don't care to use products with that preservative in it...if there is >anyway I can get around it... There are two Calendula CO2 extracts available...a 'select' (thinner and easier to work with) and a " total " that is difficult to work with, but well worth the trouble, since it contains more of the active phytochemicals in the plant. Or you can infuse (I prefer to double infuse) the blossoms that you have. either will work well in a balm. Over 10 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and Videos <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 At 01:11 PM 2/11/2006, you wrote: >Of course you can grow marigolds anywhere, even >in a pot on a windowsill. Heads up... the 'garden marigolds'...both the huge golden ones that used to surround my veggie garden, or the little 'window box' ones are NOT calendula... calendula is commonly known as 'pot marigold' but it has no relationship to the garden marigolds. Over 10 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and Videos <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 I infuse it in olive oil and give a squirt of Vit E for a preservative when I have everything else in that I am going to use. Gayla Roberts Always Enough Ranch Acampo, California http://bouncinghoofs.com/alwaysenough.html A day without Bill Barnhill is like a day without sunshine! goatclearing - " Donna Buchholz " <mizbucky Saturday, February 11, 2006 5:37 AM Re: calendula > Good morning! > > I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to give me a little input > about calendula...I want to make a balm that has calendula in it...I > actually have a recipe that I'm going to use...my question is...is there a > calendula eo, or extract that I can find & use...or should I just infuse > some of the dried herb that I have here on hand in olive oil? I tried to > find some yesterday at the 2 health food stores that we have & couldn't > find anything calendula. > > I went to the health food store yesterday & was going to buy a Calendula > " first aid " cream that they had, but it had parabens in it & I personally > don't care to use products with that preservative in it...if there is > anyway I can get around it... > > Thank you so much for any guidance... > Hope everyone has a Super Saturday! > donna > > Donna Buchholz > Something Different Soap & Things > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Well thank you for the info that calendula is not the " ordinary " marigold!! I will look & see if I can find the right one. I may have to just buy seeds & start them that way... Many thanks to everyone that has shared with me the info on calendula! I'm very anxious to start using it... Have a wonderful evening!!! d donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things - paula coon they aren't the same but they are in the same family Paula .......... in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 I suspected as much, simply because the calendula petals I have bought don’t look like marigold petals. However, I have one herb book that clearly identifies calendula as “garden marigold.” Go figure. Dave calendula is commonly known as 'pot marigold' but it has no relationship to the garden marigolds. _____ -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release 2/10/2006 -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release 2/10/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 In a message dated 2/12/2006 4:04:45 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, writes: However, I have one herb book that clearly identifies calendula as “garden marigold.†Go figure. The calendula used for skin preparations and soaps - considered to be very healing in those cases - is Calendula officinalis, also called Pot Marigold. It resembles a yellow or orange daisy. The plant is shorter and denser than daisy, but that's what the flowers look like. I believe that the marigolds people are more used to seeing in gardens are of the Tagetes family. Some may have seen or used this essential oil. Both of these plants are readily grown from seed. Some garden centers sell the calendula plants. The leaves are smooth and mostly oblong, while the leaves on garden marigolds are cut and sort of fernlike. Completely different plants. Tina _The Essential Herbal Magazine_ (http://www.essentialherbal.com/) _Essential Herbal Blog_ (http://theessentialherbal.blogspot.com/) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 I may have to just buy seeds & start them that way... ======That's how I got mine. Susan H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Just to hop onto this Calendula thread - I planted some Calendula seeds in my tomato garden last year cause I'd heard they were beneficial to each other, and I got only a couple of plants, and a couple of puny flowers from each plant - probably had my tomatoes too dense. I'm going to try them again this year - thinking about putting my garden in the ground instead of containers... But they're definitely not the marigolds you planted as a kid - bigger, longer petals on the flowers, no ruffled petals... Ivy S. Fasko Contemporary Handcrafted Jewelry http://www.ivysfasko.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 At 12:51 PM 2/12/2006, you wrote: >However, I have one herb book that clearly >identifies calendula as “garden marigold.†Go figure. but... Tina... thinking of you and " the circles you move in'... it probably DOES grow in yours, and all of your friends gardens ! but... it's not... honest. I think that the 'garden' marigold is usually referred to as african or french marigold. but this black thumbed gardener can't swear to it. (But I miss the huge golden ones that used to grow around my veggie garden in new england!) Over 10 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and Videos <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 Checking through some of my herb books yesterday, I found only one that distinguishes between calendula and the garden marigold. The rest identify them as the same plant. This is what I mean when I say that many books simply pass on information from other books, and that authors don’t do their own research properly. Having grown marigolds half my life I am very familiar with them, and I can tell by looking at the dried calendula flowers that I bought that they are a different flower. My question is whether they have similar properties. Dave _____ >However, I have one herb book that clearly >identifies calendula as “garden marigold.†Go figure. but... Tina... thinking of you and " the circles you move in'... it probably DOES grow in yours, and all of your friends gardens ! but... it's not... honest. _____ -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release 2/10/2006 -- Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.6/257 - Release 2/10/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 At 06:39 PM 2/13/2006, you wrote: >No Dave, they do not. >They aren't in the same family. I've never used the Garden/French/African >(thanks Marge :-) for herbal skin preparations, but I'm thinking that >someone >here can expound a bit on the properties of the Tagetes essential oil. That >would be the one that ISN'T calendula (Calendula officinalis). >Tina cut and pasted from http://www.naturesgift.com/essential/descriptions-y.htm Tagetes glandulifera France, wild, flowers, steam distilled Flowers of the common French or African Marigold supply this oil. (Don't confuse it with Calendula, another marigold oil with very different properties!) Shirley Price says it is effective against fungal infections of the foot, and against Candida (and that it deters houseflies!) Worwood recommends it for treating corns, calluses and other disorders of the foot. It should not be used in pregnancy or with small children. Because of its high ketone content, it needs to be used with respect. It is also a powerful photosensitizer. ;-) now, does this sound like something you want to put in a face cream, etc? Over 10 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and Videos <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 On Behalf Of Marge Clark Monday, February 13, 2006 6:29 PM Re: calendula cut and pasted from http://www.naturesgift.com/essential/descriptions-y.htm Tagetes glandulifera France, wild, flowers, steam distilled Flowers of the common French or African Marigold supply this oil. (Don't confuse it with Calendula, another marigold oil with very different properties!) Shirley Price says it is effective against fungal infections of the foot, and against Candida (and that it deters houseflies!) Worwood recommends it for treating corns, calluses and other disorders of the foot. It should not be used in pregnancy or with small children. Because of its high ketone content, it needs to be used with respect. It is also a powerful photosensitizer. ;-) now, does this sound like something you want to put in a face cream, etc? Marge, the Tagetes you refer to is actually Tagetes minuta, originally from Mexico and S. America, but now widely distributed throughout the world. I get T. minuta essential oil from Africa, but I also know that the Mexican plant is shipped to Europe (France/Switzerland) for distillation and other extraction processes. I didn't find the glandulifera listed in any of my botany books and when doing a search in online botany databases, it comes up as a synonym for minuta. " Tagetes minuta muster John Henry; muster-john-henry Synonym(s): Tagetes bonariensis; Tagetes glandulifera; Tagetes glandulosa; Tagetes porophylla " Hortiplex Plant Database And, no, certainly not an oil you would want to put on your face. Which certainly shows us how confusing things can get. However, I think we have clarified that Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is commonly " pot marigold " , and is not the usual garden marigold (Tagetes spp.)which could include any of the Tagetes that are steam distilled into essential oils around the world. Many marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are decorative hybrids for the garden, but perhaps could be distilled into essential oil, as well. Also, Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) is not an aromatic plant that is steam distilled to extract an essential oil, but the plant constituents (flowers) are infused into a fixed oil for topical application, as the further discussion leads us to. Those of you seeking the dried flowers to infuse into a fixed oil should make sure you are obtaining Calendula officinalis. Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com " Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from Nigeria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 Hi, I am just catching the end of this discussion. Are you wanting to infuse the calendula petals? I believe you can only infuse the fresh petals to receive any benefit. I grow tagetes and calendula, both are very easy to grow. Plant your calendula in a " dedicated " area since their seeds fall and re-seed every year. You will never have a problem growing them in a nice sunny location. I infuse calendula heads, and St Johns Wort flowers in olive oil for use in soapmaking. Cheers, Karen in France Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 I infuse dry herbs all the time, including calendula Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away Hi, I am just catching the end of this discussion. Are you wanting to infuse the calendula petals? I believe you can only infuse the fresh petals to receive any benefit. I grow tagetes and calendula, both are very easy to grow. Plant your calendula in a " dedicated " area since their seeds fall and re-seed every year. You will never have a problem growing them in a nice sunny location. I infuse calendula heads, and St Johns Wort flowers in olive oil for use in soapmaking. Cheers, Karen in France Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 ________________________________ On Behalf Of Karen Rink Monday, February 13, 2006 10:58 PM Re: Calendula Hi, I am just catching the end of this discussion. Are you wanting to infuse the calendula petals? I believe you can only infuse the fresh petals to receive any benefit. I grow tagetes and calendula, both are very easy to grow. Plant your calendula in a " dedicated " area since their seeds fall and re-seed every year. You will never have a problem growing them in a nice sunny location. I infuse calendula heads, and St Johns Wort flowers in olive oil for use in soapmaking. Cheers, Karen in France Karen, you are right, fresh calendula flowers are the best (as is fresh St. Johns Wort). I do not recommend using dried, but I know several herbal schools here in the U.S. teach using dried flowers, hence I posted a caution to make sure that people were sourcing the right plant. I would agree that the final product using dried flowers will be lacking in efficacy. You can grow them easily . . . And you can source fresh flowers from many herb farms (some organic). If you are purchasing from an herb farm at a distance, have them ship overnight so that you can avoid mildew or mold; separate and spread as soon as you receive them and infuse within a day or two. All fresh plant material should be left to partially dry for 24-48 hours before infusing to alleviate excess water in your infused oil. Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com " Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from Nigeria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 At 05:55 PM 2/14/2006, you wrote: > am just catching the end of this discussion. Are you wanting to infuse >the calendula petals? >I believe you can only infuse the fresh petals to receive any benefit. > >I grow tagetes and calendula, both are very easy to grow. Plant your >calendula in a " dedicated " area since their seeds fall and re-seed every >year. You will never have a problem growing them in a nice sunny location. I was taught to always dry the blossoms first... much less apt to get moisture in, and spoil, the olive oil. It works beautifully with dried blossoms. now, SJW, on the other hand NEEDS fresh blossoms, and hand picked one at a time, so they will be just at the right'point' of development. (and, in my humble opinion, St. Johns Wort infused oil is FAR to valuable a healing/pain relieving agent to put through saponification. It's for rubbing in where it hurts, not for washing off!) in my experience. I have a lot of both... I soap with the calendula,,,but I'd not DREAM of soaping w/ SJW. >I infuse calendula heads, and St Johns Wort flowers in olive oil for use in >soapmaking. Over 10 years online supplying Aromatherapy and Healthcare Professionals Essential Oils, Hydrosols, Accessories, Hard to find Books and Videos <http://www.naturesgift.com> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I waited and waited on mine to bloom last year, I was so excited, then the deer came by one evening and ate them to a nub~ WAHHHHHHH sindy - calendula Calendula is such a happy plant and seems to grow just about anywhere. Here in SE Wisconsin, which is Zone 4/5 and it manages to reseed itself. It is very tolerant of all conditions. Patti in Kenosha Patti's Potions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 , Marge Clark <marge wrote: > > > I was taught to always dry the blossoms first... much less apt to get > moisture in, and spoil, the olive oil. It works beautifully with dried blossoms. I agree with Marge. I have always used dried blossoms (I prefer the whole head-there is a sticky resin that is on the head of the blossom that I believe holds some of the medicinal compounds.) I grow my own but have also purchased the blossoms, but make a point to purchase from a supplier who sells the whole head-further proof in the pudding, so to speak. > > now, SJW, on the other hand NEEDS fresh blossoms, and hand picked one at a > time, so they will be just at the right'point' of development. > > (and, in my humble opinion, St. Johns Wort infused oil is FAR to valuable a > healing/pain relieving agent to put through saponification. It's for > rubbing in where it hurts, not for washing off!) > > in my experience. Totally agree here as well! > > I have a lot of both... I soap with the calendula,,,but I'd not DREAM of > soaping w/ SJW. > I am not a soaper, I am an herbalist and nutritional counselor, but I'd not DREAM of soaping with SJW infused oil either! I'll never forget, when I first started studying as an herbalist, and the subject of Calendula came about. I grew up growing the " French Marigolds " and thought I knew exactly what they were talking about...until I was shown the true Calendula offinalis. I imagine some of the " newbies " are suffering from the same confusion I went thru with all of the talk of " Marigolds. " Trust me, once you see the difference, then you will be able to know what you have. The best way to discriminate amongst the species is to study the leaf structure. In layman's terms, the leaf of the Offinalis is oblong in shape, approx. 1-2 inches in length, sometimes with a slight furry texture whilst the Tagetes leaves are smooth, with " ruffled " type edges along the leaf and the leaves vary in length from 1-5 inches. I would also like to add some of the other medicinal qualities that Calendula has: Character: slightly bitter, pungent, drying, gently cooling TCM: used for stagnant liver Constituents: saponins, flavonoids, mucilage, resin, steroidal compounds Actions: astringent, anti-septic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, menstrual regulator, bitter Used for: wounds, menstrual problems, inflammation, sluggish digestion, mouth ulcers and gum disease, eczema, sore nipples, sunburn, hemorrhoids, and yeast (vaginal and systemic). Calendula makes a wonderful (and beautiful in the cup) tisane, esp. when combined with other soothing herbs such as: chamomile, oat straw, marshmallow, nettle and raspberry leaf. Calendula may be found in a tisane (herbal tea),tincture, cream, oil or essential oil. I hope this information has intrigued you to further explore the wonderful healing benefits that Calendula offinalis offers! Warm regards and continue to be, Lori send an email for more info and pricing on Calendula flowers: info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 This is such a cool topic & I'm learning sooo much!!! Ok, so now let's pretend that I have my 'calendula offinalis' growing wonderfully in pots...they are blooming like crazy & I want to pick them & use them...so I pick them but I'm supposed to let them dry first before I infuse them...what would be the proper way to do this? I don't want to waste not one beautiful petal of my flowers!!! ;o) I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for their patience with those of us new to this exciting new world of using herbs in our products!!! Have a wonderful day!! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things - Lori I agree with Marge. I have always used dried blossoms (I prefer the whole head-there is a sticky resin that is on the head of the blossom that I believe holds some of the medicinal compounds.) I grow my own but have also purchased the blossoms, but make a point to purchase from a supplier who sells the whole head-further proof in the pudding, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 - Karen Rink Monday, February 13, 2006 11:57 PM Re: Calendula Hi Karen, I think that it is perfectly alright to use dried herbs.After all,teas are from dried herbs, and people get benefits from that.Chinese Herbalists use dried herbs and get excellant results...and so on and so on ... " right " ? Colleen Hi, I believe you can only infuse the fresh petals to receive any benefit. Cheers, Karen in France a.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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