Calendula

Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis

Family: Asteraceae

Other Names: Pot Marigold, Golden Marigold, Gold-Bloom, Holigold.

Parts Used: Flowering tops

Energetics: Bitter, Drying and Cooling

Herbal Actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmotic, astringent, anti-septic, anti-fungal, lymphatic, anti-viral, emmenagogue, diaphoretic

What do we use Calendula for?

Calendula has been used successfully for many types of skin issues, especially when inflammation is involved. It has a minor liver detoxifying effect as it stimulates the production of bile, so it treats skin conditions internally as well as externally. It is best used when conditions are hot in nature and because it's a diaphoretic, it will promote the cooling of the body when fever is present. I like to use it when the fever is caused by an inflamed condition like an infected wound as opposed to a virus, although it can be used successfully this way as well. Because of it's anti-fungal qualities, you can use calendula flowers for ring worm or athletes foot and also for yeast infections, be that in the vagina or thrush in the mouth of babes.

This plant promotes a healthy menstrual cycle by gently effecting hormone regulation and promoting bleeding. Calendula is also a lymphatic and can be taken to help release a clogged lymphatic system, along with activity. This is one of my must have plants when it comes to first aid. It can be used on many minor wounds, for inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), chapped skin, diaper rash (I have had huge success with this), scrapes, and even treating chicken pox externally.

Calendula is wonderful for use with children. It is gentle on the system but very effective. As I said before, I have used it for diaper rash and it can be safely used in the mouth of even the smallest of infants who have contracted thrush.

Indigo helping mama harvest calendula flowers.

I am also a fan of using calendula cosmetically, it promotes elasticity and healing of the skin so it's great for stretch marks and scars. It also has detoxifying and hormone regulating effects and so it's used well for acne or other skin break outs.

How do we use Calendula?

Calendula is most often found infused in oils and made into a salve. It works so well this way because it is easy to spread on an effected area, the oil extracts a lot of the medicine and you get the added benefits of the carrier oil used. This is especially good when treating rashes or dryer inflamed conditions. Calendula is the main herbal ingredient in most general healing salves including my own "The Balm", which I use for all rashes concerning my family.

Calendula officinalis

This plant is also used as a tea, internally and externally and whole fresh flowers are used as a poultice directly on the skin. You can use this tea as a rinse for irritated eyes or as a mouth or vaginal wash (externally, I do not recommend douching) when there is an overgrowth of yeast. Calendula also makes a nice steam cosmetically for the face or for the vagina when wishing to treat something a bit more deeply. You can also add an infusion to your bath if you have a condition which effects the whole body, like chicken pox.

While less popular, you can also make a alcohol tincture of the the plant which is best when used internally for it's anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmotic, hormonal and diaphoretic effects.

Though I have no experience with this so far, I have heard of calendula being used as a yellow-orange dye and the petals of this lovely flower are also edible.

Who should use Calendula?

Anyone with acne or other skin issues, anyone experimenting with herbal cosmetics and everyone as a first aid plant.

Who should not use Calendula? Contraindications. 

As calendula effects the hormones and stimulates bleeding, it is not recommended for internal use in women who are pregnant or excessively in nursing women.

Cultivation, Harvest and Wildcrafting:


Calendula grows quickly from seed and will proliferate in your garden. It attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, but beware as it also attracts vegetable eating insects and so either use as a trap crop or with caution in a vegetable garden.

You can harvest throughout the blooming period which is pretty much all of summer and fall by clipping the flowering tops and drying or putting in oil. If left alone, the flowers will produce many seeds you can collect or allow to drop naturally in your garden.

Calendula is mainly cultivated and not wildcrafted though it can be found wild in warm climates, mostly in Europe.

In Conclusion:

As I said before, calendula makes a great first aid herb and I would not be without it in my kit. I hope that you will take this info and make a calendula creation of your own. Also try growing some this spring, in your garden or in a pot. :) Share your thoughts, ideas, recipes and questions in the comments below. Bless!

Can't wait to make your calendula oil? Here is where I get my bulk herbs!

The Spirit of the Natives

In this post I am not talking about the native indigenous peoples (though I am certain we have much to learn from them), what I wish to speak about is the spirit of our native outdoors and the plants that thrive there. There are so many plants that I have found helpful from around the world and indeed some that are particular in their healing where others have failed. Though I have little experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have used and appreciate many Ayurvedic herbs and consider many of them favorites. Also, many of the herbs used today in Western Herbalism are indigenous to Europe. Though I will continue to learn about and use these herbs, I wish to express to you my desire to understand and use of the native plants around me and how important I feel it is for everyone to get to know the wild spirits that dwell close by.

Yerba de la Negrita 

I live in the southwest and I am surrounded by native american and hispanic traditions and lore as well as it's folk medicine. The mountains turn pink in the majestic sunsets, the land is home to so much wildlife that I have come to love; coyotes, owls, roadrunners, mountain lions, bears, wolves, elk, deer, rabbits and so many others. I have the joy of residing in a desert that is full of life and color, cactus flowers and granite rocks and the privilege of also residing in the forested mountain lands of New Mexico where the ponderosa pines grow tall and the undergrowth is rich with life.

Here I am surrounded by plants of many families with a great history in folk indigenous medicine of the native and hispanic americans. These plants have been here long before us and carry within them the wisdom of our ancestors and an understanding of the human body in some ways greater than ours. I love the feel and smell the plants create together in the landscapes here and being in my native nature feels like home. I'm sure it is like this for everyone in their native wilds and indeed I love to experience the natural environments of all climates and places, but being raised here, I have a kinship with the land and also with the plants.

During the beginnings of my herbal education, I spent time learning about plants that were popular in medicinal use and mentioned widely in herbal texts. Certainly not a bad idea as some of the most popular plants can be some of the most power medicines. This is not always the case however and oftentimes there is a treasure trove of strong medicine under our noses that has not even been documented by contemporary herbal texts. Much of it's understanding lies in the indigenous cultures of the area and even more so, within the plant itself.

I have recently turned my focus to my homeland, striving the learn the names and spirits of the plants and animals wild around me. Because of this, after the calendula post, I will be writing herb profiles about native plants for a while. This doesn't mean that I wont return to the more well known herbs or that you will be completely unfamiliar with some of the ones I post. I simply feel I owe tribute to the medicine that surrounds me and I am called to it. I believe that it is one of the greatest steps we can take as healers and caretakers of this land, to get to know and understand the wildlife in our homelands. Not only do I believe this will benefit our further connection to Spirit and the the rest of the healers of the world but I think that these plants have a way of healing that is particular to the area in which they grow. There is much more exploring to do on this subject and I will continue to write about it as I delve deeper into it but my intention in writing this now is to encourage herbalists, plant lovers, earth lovers, healers and lightworkers that have an interest in the power of plants to set aside your books and mentors for a little while and step out into your forests, deserts, groves and meadows, to feel the powers that surround you. If you wish to learn about plants it is a wonderful thing to read, teach and take classes but the ones who can tell you the most are the plants themselves. Gratitude for the Earth and our Plant Elders.

Nourishing Infusions

Nourishing Infusions are my absolute favorite way to add herbs to your everyday life. A nourishing herbal infusion is one of the simplest of herbal remedies out there and yet it can be as complicated as our own bodies.

Freshly poured infusions for me and the honey.

This is an easy and natural way you can nourish the body, restore health, uplift your spirits and beautify your physical temple all in one daily quart size jar! You could always take a multi-vitamin, but the truth of the matter is that our bodies are not naturally accustomed to absorbing nutrients that have been heavily processed into pill form. These infusions are made up of herbs that are in the nourishing category, these herbs are often used as food, are safe in larger amounts and are high in vitamins and minerals. The nutrients in these herbs are infused using hot water that is steeped for a longer period of time than your average cup of tea. This is how the water soluble constituents (vitamins and minerals) in the herbs are extracted in the final result. You can choose your herbs depending on your current health condition or your personal body constitution. You can mix and match nourishing herbs and add smaller amounts of medicinal herbs or flavoring herbs. Nourishing infusions also make great Simples(a remedy with only one herb) and in fact I find that is the best way to start, until you find which herb or herbs your body wants and how they effect you.

How to make a nourishing infusion:

What you'll need:

• 1 oz freshly dried herb matter
• 1 quart size jar
• approx. 1 quart of water

As I said before, nourishing infusions are super simple! They are one of the quickest and easiest remedies to make and a necessary foundation of herbal medicine.

First start your water boiling and find your 1 oz of freshly dried herbs. You can get this out of your garden, wildcrafted, from your local herb store or other reputable herb dealer.

Next, add herbs to your quart size mason jar (you can also use a french press), pour water over herbs to the top and cover with lid. It is very important to cover your infusions as to not lose the water soluble constituents or volatile oils in the steam.

Let your infusion steep for at least four hours or over night. Depending on my day, I'll either wake up and make an infusion to drink in the afternoon or make one the night before to have in the morning. It's up to you.

Once infused, strain off the herbs and squeeze all the moisture you can out of them. You can also drink the infusion through a mate straw or bombilla. Drink as is or add some ice, compost your used herb matter.

You can make these daily, every other day or as often as you can. I recommend doing them daily if you can, especially if you are just starting out. This way you can see the effects of the herbs on your body within a couple of weeks.

Infusion iced and ready to enjoy!

The Herbs:

Raspberry Leaf

Nourishing herbs: 

There are many herbs that are classified as nourishing and while these plants can vary widely in how they grow, look or effect our bodies they have a few key things in common. 1- they are generally safe to take in larger amounts for most people. 2- They are often treated as or called food grade, relating to number 1. 3- They are high in vitamins and minerals. Here we'll take a quick look at some of the most common herbs used in nourishing infusions. Keep in mind, this is a simple overview of the herb's affinities and I'll be naming only the vitamins and minerals that are highest in the plant. Also, this is the tip of the ice berg, and there are many other plants not mentioned in this article.

Nettle: 

Nettles are probably the most common herb used for infusions. It is great for most everyone and is high in Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Iron. Nettle infusions are great for people wanting to restore vitality, increase energy levels and pregnant and nursing moms. Because of the high calcium and magnesium levels, anyone wanting to support the skeletal system would benefit from using nettle. Nettles can be very drying to the constitution, if you find this is an issue, you can add a pinch of slippery elm or mallow to your infusion.

Energetics: cooling, dry and slightly bitter

Actions: nutritive, diuretic, adaptogen, astringent, hemostatic

Parts Used: freshly dried young leaves.


Oatstraw: 

Oatstraw is a highly nutritive herb great for adding moisture to the body and supporting the nervous system. It is high in Silicon, Calcium, Magnesium and Chromium. Oatstraw infusions are good for people who wish to support their nerves, bones and those who suffer from inflammation and/or wish to lower cholesterol.

Energetics: neutral and moistening

Actions: nutritive, adaptogen, emollient, nervine, diuretic, cardiac, anti-inflammatory anti-spasmodic, anti-cholesteremic

Parts Used: straw and milky oat tops

Raspberry Leaf:

Raspberry makes a wonderful tonic for the reproductive system. Known for it's uterine toning qualities, raspberry leaf also aids in toning the male reproductive system. Very high in Iron, Manganese and Niacin. Use this in infusions if you need reproductive toning or are low in iron. An infusion of raspberry mixed with nettle makes the perfect pre and post menstrual potion. Also great for pregnant and nursing mothers.

Energetics: neutral and drying

Actions: nutritive, astringent, adaptogen, diuretic, anti-spasmotic, febrifuge

Parts Used: Leaves

Red Clover:

Regular use of Red Clover herb will increase overall health, nourish hormonal imbalances and assist with skin conditions. High in Chromium and many other nutrients, red clover is also anti-cancer and has been renowned for it's positive effects on those with various cancers. I often recommend this herb for women going through menopause, those with chronic skin disorders or certain cancers. Red clover is not appropriate for anyone taking blood thinning pharmaceuticals or for pregnant women.

Energetics: cooling and dry, sweet and salty

Actions: nutritive, alterative, expectorant, antitumor, anticoagulant, diuretic

Parts used: flowers and young leaves

Burdock:

Burdock is used as a tonic for liver and kidneys and is considered a blood purifier. High in Iron, Thiamine, Magnesium and Chromium. Regular Burdock infusions are helpful for those who wish to cleanse the body without detoxing, those with cancer or those with hot skin disorders. Burdock can also be helpful for those with blood sugar disorders as the nutrients present help to regulate the blood sugar. Not appropriate for those with low blood pressure.

Energetics: cool and dry, sweet and bitter

Actions: nutritive, alterative, diuretic, antitumor, demulcent

Parts used: root

Hawthorn:

Hawthorn for the heart is what I think anytime hawthorn is mentioned. It acts as a circulatory stimulant and has a great affinity for the blood pressure. Hawthorn is the plant I use most often as an example in plant wisdom, it knows if your blood pressure is low to bring it up or if it's high to bring it down… tell me a pill that can do that. Not only does it help with circulatory disorders but is used as a regular cardiac tonic, improving heart function. Hawthorn is also a relaxing nervine, so is helpful for stress and anxiety.

Energetics: dry and cool

Actions: Cardiac tonic, astringent, relaxing nervine, diuretic, digestant 

Parts used: leaves, flowers and berries

Comfrey:

Comfrey is a great ally against conditions involving sprains, bruising, breaks or other superficial or internal wounds. As a cell proliferant, comfrey is helpful in restoring strength and repairing tissues in all body systems. Comfrey is very high in calcium and so is helpful for those who suffer bone loss or have any bone disorders. People who suffer from ulcers or other internal wounds would find comfrey helpful, as well as those with lung or bronchial issues. There are alkaloids present in comfrey that can pose potential danger to the liver if taken in large amounts and so is contraindicated for those who are pregnant, have liver disease, young children or those with a history of alcohol abuse.  (scientific research on this was not done working with the whole plant but singular constituents and herbalists were not consulted, so conclusions drawn about the effects of using whole plant comfrey is debatable but caution should still be taken)

Energetics: neutral and moist

Actions: demulcent, expectorant, cell proliferant, nutritive

Parts used: leaves

Additional Herbs:

Once you have your nourishing infusion, you can add additional herbs that can help to balance out the energetics of the herbs or to help with flavor. You can add ginger, clove or cinnamon if the infusion is too cooling for your constitution or in the winter months. Peppermint will cool a warming infusion as well as add a pleasant flavor. Herbs like slippery elm or herbs in the mallow family will add moisture to a drying infusion. A little bit of honey is a fine thing to add but I like to keep in mind that the bitterness in the herbs is there to work with our bodies and that action starts with the taste, so when you mask the bitterness, you mask it's action in your digestive system as well.

Warming spices

Medicinal Herbal Assistance:

There are many ways we as herbalists administer herbs or recommend administering them. There are teas, tinctures, salves, cooked in food, eaten raw, etc… A nice way to take some medicines is to add the correct amount to your daily nourishing infusion. For example, if you are already drinking a nettle and oatstraw infusion everyday and you get a cold. Instead of making a separate tea or taking a tincture (which is totally acceptable), you could add some ginger and elderberries or some yerba mansa to your daily infusion until the cold has subsided.

Putting it together:

So now you know about nourishing infusions and how to make them, so it's time to start experimenting!!! My recommendation, as I said before, is that you start with simples. Pick one herb that you would like to start infusing and give it at least a week by itself. You may not exactly enjoy the taste right away as a strongly infused herb can be rather intense, but give it some time and allow your body to develop a relationship with the plant. (All the plants have different tastes and I happen to enjoy most of them) I recommend you do this even before you add herbs like peppermint or ginger to flavor. After you've developed your relationship with the plant and understand how it reacts in your body, you can start altering the recipe. You can make nettle and raspberry leaf infusions for pregnancy or before, during and after your moon cycle. Burdock mixed with red clover make an excellent team against cancer. You can mix and match any of these herbs together. Just remember the 1oz. herb matter to 1qt. water. 

Nourishing infusions are to be treated as a food. They are a regular addition to your diet and lifestyle to enhance your health and make you feel wonderful! It's nice to make them every day but understanding that life doesn't always allow for that, make them as often as you can. I always feel a difference after drinking just one infusion but to see results in how you feel day to day or with chronic conditions, it's important to drink the infusions often. Good thing they're so yummy!!!! If you can manage every other day, I think you'll be feeling really good.

Have FUN!!!

Ok, I've jabbered on about nourishing infusions, about how much I obviously love them and that they are my favorite but you wont understand that unless you go make one, two, three!!! Let me know about the ones you like most or any special things you've done with your infusions. Bless!!!

Nourishing Oats

Oats!

Botanical Name: Avena sativa    Family: Graminaeae

Other names: Milky oats, Oatmeal, Oatstraw

Parts used: Everything but the roots. Herbalists use the milky oat tops and the oatstraw, the ripened seed is used as food.

Energetics: Avena sativa is moistening and neutral in the body.

Herbal Actions: nutritive, adaptogen, emollient, nervine, diuretic, cardiac, anti-inflammatory anti-spasmodic, anti-cholesteremic.

What do we use oats for?

Dried oatstraw and tops

Oats is an herb/plant/food to be loved and appreciated in all it's forms. Many are unaware of the medicinal properties of oats or of oats as herbs. Most of you however are likely familiar with oats as a food. Even as a food, oats are a medicinally powerful plant but that magic isn't confined to the seed and what we commonly know as oatmeal. Herbalists use the milky oat tops, which is the unripened green seed at it's milky stage and the fresh or freshly dried oatstraw. 

Oatmeal when eaten eases inflammation in the GI tract. The moistening qualities present in the entire plant serve to line the stomach and intestines when irritation occurs. When eaten or used regularly oats have the ability to dramatically lower blood cholesterol levels and act as a cardiac tonic. Nursing mothers who consume oats, either in seed form or herb form, increase the production and quality of breast milk. It's also a great herb/food for diabetics as it helps to lower blood sugar. The nourishing qualities of this herb are amazing! Oats are very high in silicon, which is necessary for the growth and health of hair, skin and nails. Also being high in Calcium, oats are an excellent tonic for the skeletal system. Other nutrients oats are high in are chromium, magnesium, niacin and Vitamin A.

Oat tops ripe for the picking

Many people use oats as a relaxing nervine, as they act as a restorative to the nervous system. This is one of my favorite uses for oatstraw. As an herbal practitioner, the number one thing that comes up with my clients is stress and issues brought on by a taxed nervous system. Because of this, I find myself recommending a lot of nervines. I like oats because I feel as though they have a more subtle and gentle approach, more so than other herbal nervines and can therefore be used for most people. This can be helpful for people who have mild difficulty sleeping or processing the day's activity or if they are overcoming a past stressful situation. This is by no means the strongest nervine but it is one of the most delicate and effective. As a tonic, it can support the nervous system long term allowing it to react to stresses more efficiently.

mmmm….

Oats can be used to increase sexual desire, as they relieve stress, help to regulate hormones(notably estrogen) and bring moisture into the body. For this reason they are also helpful for women in their menopausal years who experience symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and overworked adrenals. When used for this purpose, oats are often combined with other herbs, such as red clover, motherwort and/or vitex.

Externally, oats are used as an emollient for the skin and can help relieve the symptoms of conditions such as eczema or severe dry skin. They are used in many cosmetic applications and herbal baths.

Overall, I believe the best use of oats is as a regular addition to diet and as an herbal adaptogen (body system tonic), as it supports the skeletal, cardiac, reproductive and nervous systems.

How do we use oats?

Obviously we use the cultivated oat as food. Oatmeal in the mornings makes a great start to the day, aiding digestion and providing the body with all those lovely nutrients. You can also make oatmeal cookies (love the lactation cookies), use oat flower or homemade granola.

You can tincture oat tops and seed for use as a nervine and uterine tonic but this is not at all my preference. When it is extracted in alcohol, you are missing out on all the amazing nutritive properties and it's anti-inflammatory effects. The best preparation in my opinion is the nourishing infusion of the oatstraw and milky oat tops. That's 1oz of herb matter (oatstraw or combination) to 1qt of water. Let steep for 4 hours or overnight. Strain and drink! This could become a daily enjoyable beverage… as it is for me.

Oatstraw Nourishing Infusion

You can also make oatmeal into herbal baths, face scrubs, facial masks and in soaps!

Who should be using oats?

Everyone!!! Really though, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from adding oats to their diet or daily infusion. There are however, people who can use the power of oats more than others… these people include…

• Pregnant or nursing women: Oats can be very helpful to these women because of it's nourishing and stress reducing qualities. For nursing women it is helpful in milk production and quality as well as raising libido and helping with dryness that can be associated with the hormones produced while nursing.
• Menopausal and Post Menopausal women: Women who use oats on a daily basis can find relief from symptoms associated with hormone fluctuations during menopause. It is overall moistening to the system and when used in combination with a companion herb or herbs, oatstraw helps to balance the hormones. It is also nourishing to the bones and the nervous system, two things that can be quite taxed at this time.
• Overweight individuals: Oats aid in digestion, lower cholesterol levels and support the heart.
• Those with dry skin, eczema or other itchy skin issues.

Who should not use oats? Contraindications.

I cannot think of any contraindications for oats and indeed, herbs that are also considered food rarely have contraindications. It is still debated about whether oats contain gluten or not, so those who are gluten intolerant should take care and investigate further.

Cultivation, Harvest and Wildcrafting:

Oats are a cultivated plant and while they can still be found volunteering in fields, wildcrafting oats is not common practice. I think that everyone should grow oats! It is easy, does well in most soils, and you can grow it in small patches or sizable fields. It is also easy to harvest. Harvest oat tops when they are in their milky stage, harvest the straw but cutting the grasses down and drying.

Part of my little oat patch

Harvested oatstraw and milky oat tops

I hope I have inspired you to get to know this plant a little better and I hope you'll try making an oatstraw nourishing infusion or some other lovely oat creation. Share your adventures, thoughts and questions in the comments below! Blessings!

Buy bulk oatstraw and tops here!

Indigo Herbalism… in the Beginning

Welcome to the site!! I am so excited to be starting this blog and to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you interested readers! I hope to get us a little warmed up by talking a little bit about myself, some of the content on the site, as well as what I will be blogging about.

I live in a lovely little casita with my partner and our baby girl Indigo. They are my everything. We are lucky enough to have found a place in the South Valley of Albuquerque where we can live in a community setting, moving towards sustainability. The community property/project is named appropriately, Indigo Gardens. Named after my little Indigo, who lights up the lives of everyone she meets, most especially the beautiful people we live with.

I love plants! I can hardly walk or even drive by a plant without trying to identify it or naming the medicinal properties I can remember in my head. This love affair started early, I would say it started by making mud pies or potions in my parent's backyard. What an amazing feeling it is to walk in that backyard and to name the plants I once played with. To know the Wild Mustard growing everywhere that I put in my "soups" is actually edible, or discovering the magickal mallow patch that grows in my mom's yard every year. I began to study herbs at a very young age, slowly at first. I read a few books and advised my pregnant family members with the information I gleaned (pregnancy was and still is one of my favorite subjects herbally and otherwise). Over the past few years my interest has gone from herbal hobbiest to full blown herbal student/practitioner. I have my partner to partially thank for that as he encouraged me to take some of my first official herbal classes.

Wild Mustard flower

As an herbalist, I provide many services to my community. I love to talk and teach about herbs, it is one of the huge motivators of this website. That and providing myself with some organization for some of my experiments. I offer many workshops and will be adding e-books as they come, as well as providing the free content available in the blog.

I also aim to make health attainable at home and in your garden. For this, I do personal consultations. Right now I am working on case studies and have a full client list, but by next year I will be expanding to help others not just in my community circle.

As I said before, this blog is here to both provide me with a sense of organization as well as to share and converse about knowledge and experiences I have. This would be technically an herbal blog, as I will be mostly talking about medicinal plants, but we will find as more posts come that we cover other topics like beekeeping, natural parenting, food or anything I feel is somewhat relevant.

For those of you who are visiting for the herbal content, I intend on writing one but possibly two herbs of the month to be archived conveniently for you here. In addition to that I will include, recipes, experiments, herbal actions, treating specific conditions and misc. herbal fun. I hope to have the e-book content available for purchase soon as well.

I encourage polite conversation in the comments section of my blog and I welcome constructive ideas about content or suggestions about blog topics. This will be a fun adventure and I look forward to connecting with many different virtual faces and hopefully actual faces over the course of this journey.

Green Blessings,
Kate