The Many Benefits of Calendula: Different Methods for Tea and Topical Use

Calendula is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the genus Calendula in the Asteraceae family, also known as pot marigold or perennial marigold. Its flowers are mostly golden yellow or orange-yellow, with a round shape resembling a small cup, and it is highly ornamental. It adapts well, is relatively cold-tolerant and easy to cultivate, and is commonly seen in flower beds and courtyards. Besides its ornamental value, its flowers also have a long history of traditional use.

Based on traditional experience, calendula is often used to brew herbal tea. The tea has a faint delicate fragrance and a slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste, and many people believe it helps clear heat and moisten dryness and soothe throat discomfort. The petals contain flavonoids, carotenoids and other compounds, and in folk practice calendula is also decocted in water, cooled, and applied topically to care for minor skin conditions such as dryness and redness.

There is also a folk saying that calendula is good for the eyes, which is related to the carotenoids in the petals, and some people are accustomed to drinking calendula tea as an auxiliary daily beverage for eye care. In addition, calendula extract is fairly common in skincare products, mostly used in soothing and moisturizing products. It should be noted that these mostly fall within the scope of traditional usage and daily health care, and actual effects vary from person to person.

When using calendula in daily life, note that it cannot replace medication, and if you feel unwell you should seek medical attention promptly. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and people allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family should drink it with caution, and the concentration and amount used for brewing tea should not be too high or too much. When buying calendula tea, choose dried flowers with intact blossoms and natural color, and store them sealed, away from light and moisture, to prevent dampness and deterioration from affecting quality.