Made from the marigold plant, calendula is an essential homeopathic first-aid remedy to have in your bathroom cabinet, suitcase, handbag or car. It is the homeopathic antiseptic, suitable for treating any wound or injury to the skin: not only does it take away local pain and reduce inflammation, it can be used to cleanse those kiddie scrapes where they’ve got half the playground gouged into their knee.

Sold widely as cream, ointment, tincture or tablets, for maximum effect it’s best to apply calendula directly to wounds at the same time as taking tablets. If all you’ve got is tablets, simply dissolve a few in warm water to create a tincture to soothe, bathe and cleanse the skin.

When to use…

  • To clean and heal wounds even when skin is broken
  • On cuts, scrapes, chafing, rashes, minor burns and sunburn
  • For suppurating wounds – it was even used to save limbs after gunshot wounds in the American Civil War!
  • To heal stitches
  • After birth – I recommend a compress soaked in calendula after an episiotomy, or on stitches, tears & piles…
  • For babies’ skin, a gentle natural healing agent for all topical issues, from nappy rash to eczema to irritated, sore skin.
  • After surgery. Calendula is invaluable when you go into hospital: after surgery it speeds recovery, helps the site heal better and even guards against your succumbing to hospital bugs (you need a higher dose than is sold in chemists, available from homeopaths only).
  • After dental work it speed healing and acts as an antiseptic.

Sue Leach, homeopath

We stock calendula tablets, cream and spray at The Hub

 

Posted in Homeopathy