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Calendula
Calendula
Cautions: Women who are pregnant should not take Calendula as it is a uterine stimulant.
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Compositae family Language and mythology Also known as Pot marigold, the ancient Romans named this plant after they saw it bloom the first day or "calends" of every month. For centuries this plant was associated with the sun and believed to open with the sunrise and close with the sunset. Description Calendula has erect angular branched stems with fine hairs. Flowers are rays in solitary terminal heads 1.5 to 4 inches across, yellow to orange in color and close up at night. Leaves have grey-green margins and are alternate, spatulate or oblanceolate with smooth to widely spaced teeth. Leaves are also hairy and are 2.75 inches long. The fruit are achenes. Plant type and hardiness Hardy annual; hardiness zone 3-9. Height and width Height 18 - 20 inches; width 10 inches. Light and soil Full sun; average, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Pests and disease Slugs, snails, aphids, whiteflies, nematodes, beetles, thrips, leafhoppers, caterpillars; mildew,leaf blight, stem rot, smut, blister . Cultivation Sow seeds in spring, plant 12-18 inches apart. Deadhead for continuous flowering. Calendula will self seed. Propagation method Seeds. Bloom time and color June - Sept.; yellow to orange. Harvesting Pick flowers when open and dry at low temperatures to preserve color, or macerate the petals in oil. Pick leaves when young. Dry petals on paper and in the shade to prevent sticking. Herbal uses Medicinal, culinary, decorative, cosmetic.
Culinary: Flowers can be dried and ground and used as a good substitute for the color saffron provides in soups, stews, and poultry. Flowers can also be used for a culinary dye in butters and custards. Decorative: Dry flowers can be used in arrangements. Calendula also makes a pale yellow dye for fabrics. Cosmetic: Add to skin cream and also use in herbal bath mix to stimulates the body. Calendula is said to have some medicinal uses. Avoid use during pregnancy.
Pot Marigold
(Calendula officinalis)
These bright yellow and orange flowers are a familiar sight in cottage and country gardens. The plant is a native of southern Europe but flourishes in cool, temperate climates. The petals have a pungent, spicy flavor and the leaves have a bitter aftertaste. It is used more for medicinal than culinary purposes. This hardy annual grows to a height of about 9-20 inches and has a long flowering period.
Cultivation
Seeds may be sown directly in the bed, border, or flower box throughout spring and summer. The plant prefers a rich, light soil and a sunny location. Add compost to the soil if necessary, then sidedress with additional compost when the plants are well extablished. Water deeply during dry spells. It will seed itself readily.
Culinary Uses
The petals, with their slight aromatic bitterness are used in fish and meat soups, rice dishes, salads, and as a coloring for cheese and butter. The whole flower was used as a garnish in medieval times.
Marigold Wine 2 quarts marigolds (use Calendula officinalis only) 1 gallon boiling water 1 campden tablet, crushed (sterilizer) thinly pared peel and juice of 3 tangerines or other soft citrus fruit thinly pared peel juice of 1 lemon 5½ cups sugar 1¼ cups white raisins, finely chopped wine yeast yeast nutrient Wash the flowers and put into a large container. Add the boiling water and stir in the Campden tablet. Leave for 24 hours. Draw off 1 cup of the liquid, add citrus peel and heat to just on the point of boiling. Add the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Cool to body temperature, then pour back into the original container. Add raisins, citrus juice, yeast, and nutrient. Cover and leave 5 days to ferment, stirring twice each day. Strain through a double thickness of muslin. Pour into a fermenting jar fitted with a fermentation lock and leave to continue fermenting. Rack the wine as it begins to clear. When completely clear, store in a cool, dark, dry place for six months to mature.
Medicinal Use
Calendula heals wounds as well as internal and external ulcers. It is an antiseptic, and improves blood flow to the affected area. As an antifungal agent, it can be used to treat athlete's foot, ringworm, and candida. The tincture applied neat to cold sores encourages healing . Calendula cream is good for acne and diaper rash. An infusion is good for digestion and relieves colitis and symptoms of menopause.
Other Uses
An infusion of the petals can be used as a rinse to lighten and brighten hair. The petals also make a nourishing cream for the skin. Pot marigold makes an attractive cut flower and can be grown in the vegetable garden to help with insect control.
Creamy Marigold Cleanser 4 tablespoons olive or almond oil 2 tablespoons dried pot marigold flowers few drops of violet, orange blossom or rose water Warm the oil in a bowl placed over a saucepan of hot water. Stir in the dried flowers and continue to heat gently for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool, and stir in the flower water.
Calendula
Other names: Calendula officinalis, garden marigold, holligold, marigold, Mary bud, pot marigold
Parts Used: Flower heads.
Culinary uses: The fresh flowers may be used in salads.
Other uses: An infusion of the flowers can be used for such gastrointestinal problems as ulcers, stomach cramps, colitis, and diarrhea.
Taken either internally or externally, Calendula is good for healing wounds. Externally, Calendula is an all purpose skin healing herb used to stop bleeding, wash wounds, abscesses, rashes, boils, chapped skin, eczema, helps speed the healing of cuts and wounds and is good for burns.
It relieves muscle cramps, painful swellings, hemorrhoids, and insect bites. Use in a foot bath on swollen feet and as an eyewash on sore, tired eyes.
A hair rinse reduces dandruff.
Used as an oil, it is helpful for earaches. It is from the same family of herbs as arnica, however Calendula is not toxic like arnica. Therefore Calendula may be taken internally.
Taken internally it is used to treat gastritis and duodenal ulcers, break fevers and reduce menstrual cramps.
Cautions: Women who are pregnant should not take Calendula as it is a uterine stimulant.
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