25-Oct-2009

Scrapes and Scratches

Calendula Officinalis

The Marigold that goes to bed wi' the sun
And with him rises weeping
                   Wm. Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale

The first 18 years of my life I lived in London, in a certain gray house, on a certain gray street, where the two lower windows acted as beacons of light to the whole neighborhood by sending out rays of joy and happiness. Inside the windows, lighting them up, were enormous garlands of flowers and golden orbs of Marigold, also known as calendula officinalis.

Whereas arnica is applied in contusions, sprains and even fractures (where the skin is unbroken), calendula is applied to cuts, abrasions, clean or dirty wounds, even ulcers and abscesses. However, its primary use is as an anti-septic, even though calendula is not an antiseptic in the true meaning of the word. True antiseptics are so potent they kill not only the micro-organisms in and around a scrape or cut, but also the surrounding healthy cells, including some intended for immune defense. Applying calendula, on the other hand, creates a space in which germs cannot thrive. It inhibits their growth, while stimulating immune response like the growth of new epithelial cells. You can strengthen its action by giving it internally as well, Calendula 6, 12, 30 in repeated doses, until healing has taken place.

One client of mine was an 80-year-old woman who had fallen out of bed and injured her nose. She also had a constant oozing from the lower lip. I applied calendula to the bridge of the nose and lower lip. The bleeding stopped instantaneously and within twelve hours the jagged cut on her nose had healed over and the swollen lower lip had returned to its normal size. This shows the power of calendula, since in a woman of eighty years, the immune system is naturally slowed down.

      Remember Calendula for:
    Open wounds
    Scrapes
    Cuts and cracks
    Bleeding gums
    Dental work
    Hemorrhage after circumcision
    Burns
    Diaper rash

Another quick tip: for the ragged, stinging edges around fingernails, apply calendula and watch them heal almost overnight!

Avghi Constantinides, DHom HMC MA
Homeopathy For Life
For inspiration in the use of Homepathy,
Impossible Cure: The Promise of Homeopathy by Amy L. Lansky.