CURING THE COMMON CONTUSION

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Calendula, or marigold, is a common annual found in many backyard flower gardens. But even those familiar with this plant may not know of its age-old reputation as a healing agent for bruises. In fact, its use among Native Americans dates back several centuries.

Like arnica, calendula is intended for external use only and should not be swallowed. It can be used in various forms as a fluid extract, tea bath, oil or ointment. Each form has its advantages, depending on the type of bruise or injury and your preferred mode of administration.

You can make a homemade fluid extract of calendula by using six ounces of dried marigold flower petals to eight ounces of 180-proof grain alcohol. Follow the same procedure described for the arnica fluid extract.

A calendula tea bath can also be made in similar fashion to the arnica tea bath and applied as a warm solution to bruises as needed.

The ointment and oil forms can be purchased from herbal stores. Calendula ointment has the advantage of being easy to apply. Plus, not only does it take the soreness out of bruises, it also penetrates through skin layers to start the healing process.

While calendula oil similarly possesses healing emollients, it doesn't always have the staying power of the ointment, which tends to stick to the skin better. However, you can use calendula oil as a topical skin treatment just as you would the ointment. And because it is a liquid, you can pour it into cuts that can't handle the rubbing friction that necessarily comes with applying an ointment. Some of the commercially made preparations use a combination base that includes mineral oil.

Dr. Dickson is the author of the book,
Investigations in Pharmaceutical and Biological Chemistry (CRC Press, 1998).

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