Marigold
Calendula Officinalis
Personality:
Marigolds are known for their bright and cheerful yellow-orange flowers, which make them a very popular garden annual. The original ‘cottage’ Marigold is a little chaotic, sometimes flopping under the weight of its’ stems and flowers. It is perfectly
suited to an informal garden and its cheerful flowers are
medicine for the spirit before you even think of harvesting it.
Sources:
If you have the space, it is a very simple herb to grow from seed. If buying the dried herb I recommend that you ask for the petals rather than whole flower heads. Make sure that they have a strong colour and a deep aroma, as they soon degrade if exposed to the light or kept for too long. Calendula is widely available as a dried herb and also in creams and ointments.
Anecdotes:
Sometimes I think ‘if I could only have one herb to use which one would it be’. Marigold is always a top contender because it has such a wide range of uses (and looks great).
Uses:
Will help with most minor skin conditions including fungal infections (for which it is specific). Calendula ointment is a ‘lifesaver’ for women with sore nipples in the early stages of breastfeeding. The nipples almost always adapt and become less painful over time but early on Calendula is extremely helpful. It is also used to treat intestinal infections and irritation, liver problems, toxicity, gum disease, ulcers, conjunctivitis, irregular menstruation and menstrual pain.
Actions:
Astringent, bitter tonic, healing, anti microbial, oestrogenic.
Preparations & Dosage:
Externally use ointment, cream or poultice, internally infusion or tincture; average adult dose 5g dried petals or equivalent per day. Calendula gets its astringent action from its resins, so, if it is this action you require, buy a high alcohol tincture. 90% alcohol is often used to get a good resin extraction. For its other actions a 25% alcohol tincture is sometimes used, as this gives a better extraction of the water-soluble constituents.