Friday, August 7, 2009

Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold or Poet's Marigold)

If you don't have this wonderful herb growing in your garden, I highly advise you plant some seeds in your garden next year. It tolerates poor soil and will come back every year because it reseeds like crazy. The petals and stems are edible; they make a pretty garnish to a salad but taste a tad bitter. We grow calendula not because it's edible but because of its medicinal value. Herbalists use it for many ailments, too many to list here, but my favorite use of calendula is for the skin. You can use it as a local topical application to boost the healing rate and prevent infection on a wound or other skin conditions. Calendula is also fantastic for chapped and dry skin.



How to make a calendula infusion:
Fauna, my little apprentice, made this calendula infusion. She "popped the tops" from the calendula plants in the garden, put them in a glass jar, and poured grapeseed oil in the jar until all of the tops were submerged. Should you not have grapeseed oil on hand, almond, sesame and olive oil are all good carriers for infusions.


She locked up the lid and admired her calendula infusion. Now to let it steep for 1-2 weeks. Give it a shake periodically; when it starts getting really cloudy it is time to strain out the flowers.



After straining Fauna will have a wonderful healing oil ready to do its healing magic . She can mix the oil with lotion for dry skin or make an ointment or salve using beeswax.


From Shakespeare's Winter's Tale:
'The Marigold that goes to bed wi' th' sun,
And with him rises weeping.'

18 comments:

Sherry Gann said...

I've bookmarked this one and am really going to try to remember to plant some next year. :)

Maria said...

Ahhh, Lovely Calendula... I actually thought of naming my son Calen, after Calendula!! Not just wonderful for the skin and wound healing, but great for the lymph too.. helps to cool down and move out that hot, read infection, inside and out!

And that beautiful flower just can't be beat! I planted some on my roof last year and it's reseeded all over the yard!! YAY!

Stephanie said...

I have some petals drying for medicines! :)

renee @ FIMBY said...

Love this post and love calendula. I too make calendula oil for salves. I throw in yarrow and other herbs for fun also.

kyndale said...

We have tons of calendula that re-seed everywhere in our garden. I think Solomon would love to do this since he's my potion guy! We will try tomorrow..Love this!

Smiles, Kyndale

Shady Lady said...

I must remember to plant some of this next year. We use calendula gel around here. I used it on my sunburn a while back. Great stuff!

nettlejuice said...

So wonderful that your girls are making medicine. I feel like we are retrieving treasures from the ancient past when we teach children about the healing plants.

Pussnae said...

O.k, I'll have to plant some next year. It sure must be fun living in your house!

Cupcake Mama said...

I love making soap with calendula! Although I don't think I have that kind growing??

gardening gal said...

Oh we are a calendula loving family too! Each of the kids having their own plants in the garden.
Your pictures are just beautiful!

therese said...

lovely, lovely flowers..

Anonymous said...

awesome post... thanx for the tips!!

Marina said...

This is fantastic, thank you for posting the instructions! I was just wondering how to do a homemade Calendula salve... is mind reading another of your amazing skills???

Thanks again :)

Kelly said...

We love calendula here too! We grow it each year and prepare calendula oil each year too. It is such a warming, healing oil. And the scent of the oil, lovely.

Leanne said...

Oh yes a garden must have...love the new header too Lisa!

Angela said...

i showed this post to my oldest daughter, who is very interested in in fusions, salves, etc (after having made a beeswax "magic potion" salve at Waldorf Camp this summer). she loved the idea, and we're going to try it together.

beautiful photos.

Julie said...

Thanks for sharing this. Calendula is definately something I need to be growing.

Amanda said...

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