Dear Pharmacist: First-aid ointment's roots

Dear Pharmacist: It seems my kids spend the summer getting bumped and bruised. Can you recommend a natural remedy to treat all those boo-boos? -- P.E., Clackamus, Ore. 

I have just the thing. Not too long ago, a friend of mine took a nasty spill while riding her bicycle. She shared the details of what happened with me, and today, I will share her story with you. My friend's next-door neighbor asked politely how she was doing after the minor accident, and she confessed to her neighbor that everything hurt.

"I have just the thing," the neighbor responded and dunked inside her house, emerging a moment later with a jar of calendula cream. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an herb that has been used safely all over the world for centuries, specifically for wound healing.

My friend decided to give her neighbor's cream a try, since she trusted the source. She trusted her because the lady had raised five teenagers who played every sport from soccer to volleyball. If this stuff came with the soccer mom's seal of approval, it had to be effective.

As my friend relayed her story to me, I became excited to write about it, too, since there are no prescription drugs or salves that do all that calendula can. My friend dabbed the cream on her bruises and scrapes, took a nap and woke up significantly better. Within days, she was as good as new.

This inspired me to research calendula. I wish I had known about it when my children were young. A few European studies have concluded calendula helps soothe wounds and improve healing. It has anti-fungal, anti-viral and even anti-tumor properties! I think calendula would be fantastic for cradle cap and diaper rashes -- any rash for that matter.

You can use it on minor burns, sunburn, bedsores, eczema and poison ivy. A small study proved it can ease the pain of radiation-induced dermatitis. Calendula may improve acne, too. Health food stores and online retailers sell calendula in creams, lotions, ointments or tinctures. You'll see various brands and companies selling it.

If you are creating a first-aid cabinet, I highly recommend you include calendula. Put it next to your hydrocortisone and tea tree oil. Calendula extract imparts a beautiful yellow color, so it's used as a natural coloring agent in cuisines around the world. Lately, I've been buying the fresh (and edible version) of flowers from my natural grocer to garnish salads and soups. It makes for a delicious conversation piece at my dinner table. 

Did you know? Folate found in green leafy veggies (and supplements) was just shown to reduce colon cancer risk. 

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure your disease. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. To ask her a question or to learn more about your health, visit DearPharmacist.com.