10 Potential Benefits of Calendula Tea

Calendula is a flowering herb in the Aster, or daisy, family that has long been used in herbal medicine to treat skin, mouth, and digestive issues.

Here are 10 potential benefits of calendula tea:

1. Calendula is packed with antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids—more antioxidants, in fact, than most other plants studied. Antioxidants, of course, help counteract the harmful effects of oxidative stress on your body, such as chronic inflammation.
2. Calendula may promote wound healing when used externally, potentially by increasing the amount of collagen available. Calendula extract can be used topically to treat burns, minor wounds, rashes, and even diabetes-related ulcers. Apply the tea to your skin with a cold compress or spray bottle.
3. Calendula may combat certain cancer cells, though more research is needed.
4. Calendula has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties that can help prevent infection when applied externally.
5. Calendula tea may help treat gingivitis, a common oral disease that involves chronic inflammation of the gums, when used as a mouthwash.
6. Gargling with calendula tea may relieve sore throats.
7. Strong calendula tea can be used to treat diaper rash.
8. Calendula tea may relieve menstrual cramps.
9. Calendula may help relieve sore muscles.
10. Calendula might be useful for treating acne-prone skin, thanks to its antimicrobial properties.

Keep These Cautions in Mind Before Using Calendula for Tea

Some people note mild irritation or have an allergic reaction to calendula tea being applied to the skin. We also need more research on how calendula and other medicinal herbs affect those who are pregnant or breastfeeding before considering them safe.

It's best to just avoid calendula tea if you've had a previous reaction to calendula, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you're taking sedatives. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

How to Make Calendula Tea

Calendula tea is super easy to make. If you're harvesting your own blooms, watch this quick video to see the process. The best time to harvest is in the morning, once the dew has dried but while the essential oils are still most concentrated. Look for blooms with all the petals open that haven't started to dry up yet. Bring a colander or, even better, a drying rack out to the garden with you as you gather blooms.

Let the flowers dry for at least one week, until there's no moisture left. Then, pull the petals from the dried flower heads.

To make the tea, follow these three simple steps:

Step One

Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried calendula flowers in a mug and pour 1 cup of simmering hot water over them. (Water is simmering when you notice small bubbles rise from the bottom of the pot. Don't use boiling water, which is when there are lots of large bubbles rising up and breaking the surface. The difference between simmering and boiling often makes a big difference when steeping teas.)

Step Two

Cover the mug with a saucer and steep for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step Three

Strain the tea to remove the petals, which can be tossed into the compost bin. Sip and enjoy!

You can always add lemon, simple syrup, or honey if you find the tea a bit bitter. You can also let it cool and drink it iced.

If you have any leftover tea, you can store it in a closed jar for one to two days in the fridge.

Note:

If you want to make a stronger tea for external medicinal use, use about 1/3 cup of dried calendula flowers in 1 cup water and leave to steep overnight.

Uses for Calendula Tea

There are so many uses for this beneficial tea.

Internal Uses for Calendula Tea

• Gargle with or drink calendula tea when you have a sore throat.
• Drink calendula tea to alleviate stomach ulcers.
• Rinse your mouth with calendula tea to heal blisters and inflamed gums. (You can also use calendula tea for thrush, but obviously consult a doctor if this fungal infection worsens.)

External Uses for Calendula Tea

• Soak clean cloths with calendula and apply to scrapes, scratches, and itchy skin as a compress.
• Apply calendula-soaked cloths to a baby's skin to relieve diaper rash.
• Wash acne-prone areas nightly with calendula tea to help with breakouts.
• Pour calendula tea into bathwater to sooth inflamed or irritated skin.
• Soak your feet in a bath of calendula tea to treat athlete's foot.
• Rinse your hair with calendula tea to relieve an itchy scalp or dandruff.
• Freeze calendula tea in ice cube trays, store cubes in freezer, and rub over children's boo-boos.
• Apply calendula-soaked cloths to your pet's skin when they're suffering from flea bits, scratches, or itchy coats. You can also pour calendula tea into a spray bottle and spritz on a dog's hot spots.

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