Calendula Flowers

Calendula Flowers Calendula officinalis

Calendula Flowers are often called the Poor Man’s Saffron for their color and their flavor. Their flavor can range for spicy to bitter, tangy to peppery but its over sharp taste resembles that of saffron. Calendula Flowers in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are considered energetically neutral and drying. It is used to treat sore throats or wounds in the mouth, menstrual cramps, cancer and stomach and duodenal ulcers. North American Indigenous Cultures has also used Calendula Flowers for upset stomachs. The flowers are rich in flavonoids shown to exhibit anti inflammatory, anti thrombogenic, anti diabetic, anti cancer and neuro protective activities in ongoing research. Calendula flowers also contain triterpene saponins and triterpene alcohols.

I used Calendula Flowers in my Spring Trio for their color and their kick. They balance the sweet flavors beautifully and the anti inflammatory properties are beneficial system wide.