Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a flowering herb treasured for its medicinal properties since the 12th century. Petals and buds of calendula make a bitter-sweet tonic tea that protects throat and mouth health by healing wounds, soothing irritated mucosal membranes, and clearing out bacteria and viruses. Calendula stimulates immunity and banishes stubborn colds by activating the lymphatic system. When the lymph nodes are swollen, it’s time for a cup of NutraDefence tea! NutraDefence boosts immunity with a blend of Calendula, Licorice, Astragalus, Ginger, Mullein, Thyme, and Eucalyptus. Calendula also improves digestion by increasing gastric juices, soothing the gastrointestinal tract lining, and supporting liver detoxification. Plus, its antioxidants lower inflammation.
Calendula contains:
- Flavonoids
- Triterpene saponins
- Essential oils
- Polysaccharides
- Carotenoids
- Coumarins
- Vitamin A and C
Throat and Mouth and Calendula
Calendula’s mucilage soothes and moistens mucus membranes in the throat and mouth. This is helpful when the throat is raw from coughing and when there are canker sores inside the mouth. The herb’s antibacterial properties banish harmful pathogens from the mouth and throat. Its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing properties are powerfully helpful in such cases; in fact, calendula tea makes a trusty cold and flu gargle throughout the day. Simply drinking a few cups of the tea throughout the day does the trick, too. NutraDefence is a safe tea to drink multiple times every day. Calendula is an integral part of the tea blend, and will protect your mouth and throat from irritation and infection.
Calendula Stimulates the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system balances fluid levels and protects the body from infections. Lymphatic tissue, organs, and glands all drain a watery fluid called lymph from throughout the body. Calendula supports this drainage of waste and toxins. It thins mucus and reduces fluid stagnation, particularly swelling in the lymph nodes. When the lymph nodes are swollen, it indicates the body is congested from fighting off infection and needs extra support detoxifying.
Calendula achieves this effect thanks to its polysaccharides, which endow the plant with mucilage, a thick, gluey substance. Mucilage keeps the lymph moving. It’s also bacteriostatic, catching harmful bacteria and flushing it out before it can spread. Traditional herbalists added calendula flowers to healing soups to speed up recovery. Finally, all bitter tonics, calendula tea included, stimulate the liver. Calendula supports the liver’s detoxifying role, which speeds up recovery from infection.
Digestion and Calendula
Petals of calendula taste sweet, but the entire flower head has bitter resins that are an important part of Calendula’s medicinal value. Tasting something bitter increases secretion of bile from the gallbladder, improving the digestive process. This prevents diarrhea and increases nutrient absorption, supporting you on the road to full recovery. Also, calendula’s mucilage soothes the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, its flavonoids and carotenoids reduce GI tract inflammation.
More about Calendula
Calendula is an annual plant in the Asteraceae family. Its beautiful yellow-orange, discoidal flowers bloom from early Spring til Frost. The name ‘Calendula’ derives from the saying that the herb blooms throughout the “calends,” which is the root of the word calendar. It’s native to southern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean countries. When you pluck a flower, two more will soon replace it! It thrives in almost any soil, though it does not grow in the wild. Don’t confuse it with the closely-related marigold, which is fluffier and taller with none of calendula’s medicinal qualities. Topical use of calendula is very common; it appears in the formula of almost every healing herbal skin cream. Topical creams made from dried calendula petals help wounds heal faster, and protects cuts, bruises, and burns from infection. Calendula used topically even helps prevent skin inflammation in people with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy.