Your Dog's Skin Can Benefit From This Soothing Healing Herb, Calendula

 Your dog's skin can benefit from this soothing, cleansing herb.  

★ 3 min read

Calendula (calendula officinalis) is a common sun-loving flower with impressive healing properties. Calendula flower petals have antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic, antiseptic healing properties. Calendula has a calming affect and nourishes skin.

Topical use of a calendula infusion or cooled tea can help naturally treat:

• Acne, common in puppies and younger dogs.
• Acute dermatitis.
• Food dermatitis.
• Eye infections.
• Insect bites and stings.
• Skin infections.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Wounds.

Calendula infusion or cooled tea makes a simple topical: 
🌼 Chin and muzzle cleanse after mealtime. 
🌼 Full body soak or rinse. 
🌼 Paw soak. 
🌼 Sitz bath. 
🌼 Underbelly soak or rinse.

Steeped cool tea bags or loose petals make a soothing, healing compress.

When to Choose Infusion or Tea
Calendula tea is a good choice if you need to treat an issues right away. Calendula infusion must steep for two hours up to eight hours. Infusing calendula increases its healing properties. 

To Make Calendula Tea
You'll need:

• 1 calendula tea bag for every 8-ounces of water or;
• 1 tsp loose calendula petals for every 8-ounces of water. 
• 1 tea infuser if using loose calendula petals.
• Kettle
• Tea pot or sauce pot with lid.

Preparation

• Place the calendula tea bag into a tea pot or sauce pot.
• If using loose petals:
• Put the petals in a tea infuser and then into the kettle or sauce pot or;
• Place the loose petals directly in the kettle or sauce pot.
• Boil the water.
• Pour the boiled water into the tea pot or sauce pot.
• Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
• When finished steeping, remove the tea bags or tea infuser, or strain the loose petals from the tea.
• You can keep the steeped, cooled tea bags or petals to use as a compress.
• Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
• The tea is ready for use.
• If you aren't using the tea right away, store the tea in the refrigerator.
• For optimal healing properties use the tea (or tea bag compress) within 24 to 48 hours.

To Make a Calendula Infusion
You'll need:

• 2 tablespoons of dry loose petal or fresh petals for every 8 ounces of water or;
• 5 to 6 calendula tea bags for every 8 ounces of water.
• Kettle
• Tea pot or sauce pot with lid.

Preparation

• Place the calendula tea bag into a tea pot or sauce pot.
• If using loose petals:
• Put the petals in a tea infuser and then into the kettle or sauce pot or;
• Place the loose petals directly in the kettle or sauce pot.
• Boil the water.
• Pour the boiled water into the tea pot or sauce pot.
• Cover and steep for 12-hours up to 8-hours.
• When finished steeping, remove the tea bags or tea infuser, or strain the loose petals from the liquid infusion.
• You can keep the steeped, cooled tea bags or petals to use as a compress.
• Allow the infusion to cool to room temperature.
• The infusion is ready for use.
• If you aren't using the tea right away, store the tea in the refrigerator.
• For optimal healing properties use the tea (or tea bag compress) within 24 to 48 hours.

How To Use Calendula Infusion or Tea

Calendula Chin and Muzzle Cleanse 🧽

• Spray application:
• Pour the infusion or tea into a spray bottle.
• Gently spray your dogs muzzle and chin, then pat dry.
• Wipe Application
• Pour or dip a little calendula infusion or tea onto a soft clean cloth.
• Wring out excess liquid, and use the cloth to gently wipe chin and muzzle.

Calendula Full Body Soak or Rinse 🛁

• Add calendula infusion or tea to your dog's bath water for a calming, cleansing healing soak or rinse.

Calendula Paw Soak 🐾

Use calendula infusion or tea to soak your dog's paws. Or add calendula infusion to Himalayan salt paw soak. Make sure to soak your dog's paws for at least 30 seconds.

A calendula paw soak can:

• Help protect cut paws from infection and help speed healing.
• Cleanse toxic road salt from your dog's paws.
• Allergy support to cleanse pollen and other allergens from your dog's paws.
• Candida overgrowth support, help soothe and treat inflamed, irritated paws.

Insect Bites and Stings 🐝🦟

Insect bites and stings can cause skin irritation, swelling, rashes, pain and infection.
To help reduce inflammation, irritation and infection apply calendula infusion or tea. You can also use the steeped tea bags as a compress. Apply the compress for at least 30 seconds to the bite or sting-site.

Underbelly Spray, Rinse or Soak 🚿

Use calendula infusion or tea to:

• Prevent environmental contact toxins from entering your dog's blood stream.
• Rinse road salt from your dog's underside. 
• Rinse pollen, other environmental allergens and contaminates from your dog's underside.
• Rinse your dog's vulva with calendula infusion or tea, two to three times per day to help reduce discomfort from urinary tract infections and reduce risk of re-infection.
  

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld