Calendula - Calendula officinalis

---

Calendula officinalis, which is also known as Pot Marigold, is widely considered a wonderful herb to use for skin care and muscle blends.  When I found a bottle of steam distilled Calendula Essential Oil, I was quite surprised because Calendula is NOT commonly found as an essential oil.  In fact, most companies that sell Calendula Oil are selling a fixed oil which has been infused with Calendula herb. 

The technicals:  Calendula EO is orange (though it looks yellow on the paper towel in the picture).  The color indicates that it's rich in carotenoids and flavonoids.  The liquid tends to be a bit thicker than most EOs like peppermint, but not nearly as thick as the resinous EOs like myrrh.  The aroma is an interesting mix of earthy, musky, pungent, sweet, and fruity-floral.  Steam-distillation, enfleurage and CO2 extraction are the methods used to extract Calendula EO from the petals.  According to my research, it’s comprised of about 25% alpha-cadinol, flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenes, and phytosterols.

Calendula Essential Oil exhibits similar therapeutic benefits as the herb, including: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, hypotensive, sedative, and vulnerary.  The biggest difference between the two falls in methods of application.  While the herb may be used topically and internally, the essential oil should only be used topically.  

Calendula EO would be a great addition to a blend for a minor burn, cut, scrape, bite, sting, or any skin irritation because it would help with disinfecting the wound and speeding up the healing process.  I would caution though, don't use it on an infected wound or a deep puncture since it could seal in the infection.  

Until now, my primary use of Calendula has been for muscle relief.  I love to include the infused oil in my personal blends for muscle aches and spasms, for my fibromyalgia, sore muscles, and minor sprains and strains (like when I roll my ankles).  The infused oil is also part of my BBG Butter, and I’ve seen that seal minor scrapes and scratches overnight. 
 
There really is very little information on the EO, so I think I’ll start running some experiments with it – both as a solo EO in different carriers and as part of different blends for different purposes.  (Hmmm, I've been trying to come up with a blend to knock out my keratosis spots - I'll have to try Calendula EO in the next blend.)

The primary cautions I see with this essential oil are:
* Do NOT use it if you are pregnant.
* Use topically only.
* Make sure you look closely at what you're buying.  It is more common to see Calendula infused oil.  Infused means the dried herb was soaked in a carrier oil for a period of weeks.  The therapeutic properties of the infused oil will be less powerful than those of the essential oil.