An immune-boosting, gut-healing, skin-soothing herb for Fall

My favorite herb of all time is Calendula. This superhero of the plant world does it all. You know it’s got official superpowers when it has “officianalis” in its Latin name.

I drink it mostly in tea blends as an immune booster and gut healer. Try sipping on some Calendula tea when you’re feeling a little ragged digestively speaking.

For the same reason it helps soothe irritable digestion, it can also soothe the skin. You’ll often find Calendula in the list of ingredients for salves and natural skin cremes.

It’s perfect for Fall when we can use a little preventive immune medicine and our skin starts to feel the effect of cooler drier days.

You can find dried Calendula flowers at your natural grocery store, or where loose-leaf herbs are sold. I love buying local when I can, and Foster Farm Botanicals grows some lovely Calendula in Vermont.

It’s also a lovely herb to grow in your garden. The plants produce abundant flowers that are bright and sunny and make me smile.

To make Calendula tea, steep 1 Tbsp of dried Calendula flowers in a cup of hot water for 5-20 minutes. Calendula gives a very mild flavor to the tea, so it’s nice to combine with other herbs, such as mint, lemon balm, or anise hyssop.