Once used in battlefield hospitals and recognized in the America Pharmacopoeia of the 20th century, Calendula officinalis is one of the most powerful natural wound dressings around. It was used to clean surgical wounds and applied to fresh dressings to hasten the healing process. To this day, I use it to keep wounds clean and reduce healing time. Calendula added to creams and salves is exceptional in soothing and repairing dry, rough skin.
