Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Jun 11

6 min read

Calendula is one of my favorites! It's not only beautiful, bright, and happy, it also has amazing healing and nourishing properties for your skin and body. Calendula can be used in the home pharmacy, the first aid kit, the cosmetic counter, the kitchen, and the flower garden.

Printable for Herbal

Calendula officinalis

Family: Asateraceae - sunflower, daisy

Parts used: blossoms

What's in a Name - Calendula officinalis

Calendula means flower of all months (calendar). In warm climates it bears flowers by the calendar, once a month, usually during the new moon.

Latin calendae, means little calendar or little clock, connected to the rising and setting of the sun as the flower opens and closes. This name came from the Romans, meaning “Through the months”.

Officinalis comes from the Latin word officina, in reference to a plant that was grown in monastery gardens or prepared and sold in apothecary shops for the use of healing. These plants were recognized and used as an "official" medicine.

Common Name: Pot Marigold

Marigold was derived from joining two old English words "Mary's" and "gold"

Mary always referenced the Virgin Mary and was used as a name for anything useful or beautiful during the Middle Ages.

Gold is in reference to the blossom’s golden color, which poor people presented to the Virgin Mary instead of gold coins.

Folk Names:

Common, English and garden marigold
Pot marigold (for its use in soups and culinary dishes)
Drunkard
Husbandman’s dial
Marybud, Mary’s gold
Prophetic marigold
Summer’s bride, bride of the sun, sun bride, spouse of the sun
Golds – old English poets use of the name marigold
The sun follower
Bull’s eye
Poor mans saffron

History

Originated in Egypt

Native region: South Central Europe & North Africa

Cultivated throughout temperate regions all over the world

Egyptian use for rejuvenation and healing.
Greek and Roman use for culinary and medicine, Romans treated scorpion bites.
Ancient India considered it a sacred herb with flower heads strung as garland and used in temples and weddings.
Arab use as a dye, food coloring, cosmetic and medicine.
12^th Century European use for food and medicine, used to dye butter yellow.
Tudor England it became popular as a garden flower for beauty and culinary use.
Middle Ages found in monastery gardens for healing virtues.
Renaissance housewives cultivated it in gardens to flavor and color foods and use for illness and injury.
Traditionally used in Catholic celebrations concerning the Virgin Mary.
Came to America with English settlers.
Used in the Civil War to stop bleeding and help with wound healing.

Actions

Analgesic

Antibacterial

Antifungal

Anti-inflammatory

Antimicrobial

Antiseptic

Antispasmodic

Antiviral

Antitumor

Gentle astringent

Cholagogue

Demulcent

Detoxifying

Diaphoretic

Emmenagogue

Emollient Hemostatic

Hepatic

Lymphatic

Menstrual regulator

Tonic

Vulnerary

Energetics/Body Systems Affected

Gently cooling, while also warming

Drying

Bitter

Pungent

Digestive

Female system

Liver

Lymph

Mucus membranes

Skin

Clears stagnation

Constituents/Nutrients

Carotenoids

Enzymes

Flavonoids

Glycosides

Mucilage

Resin

Rutin

Saponins

Salicylates

Sterol

Triterpenes

Volatile oil

Uses

Skin care; cleansing, moisturizing, damaged skin, acne, chapping, scars, sunburn, etc.
Stimulates production of collagen for skin care, wrinkles and maturing skin
Baby care; skin care, diaper rash, cradle, cap, thrush, etc.
Eczema and psoriasis (note this is an aid while the root cause of these conditions are being addressed internally)
First aid; wounds, bruises, cuts, sores abrasions, slow healing wounds, burns, rashes, bug bites and stings, itching, sprains, etc.
Skin ulcers, blisters, abscesses, infection, etc.
Tissue regeneration
After birth healing, perineal tears, postpartum, control bleeding
Post operative healing
Illness, cold and flu, fever, infection, impetigo
Sore throat, oral inflammation, cankers, mouth sores, cold sores, etc.
Toothache, gum disease, mouth issues of all kinds
Conjunctivitis, sore eyes, eye infection and inflammation
Earache and infection
Measles, chicken pox, shingle, skin eruptions (helps to sooth pain and inflammation)
Mild topical pain reliever
Fungal infections; thrush, athlete's foot
Vaginal infection and discharge
Stomach issues, colic
Gut support, digestive health, bowel inflammation, etc.
Heartburn and ulcers
Stagnate liver and sluggish digestion
Gallbladder, liver and kidney support
Lymph congestion, swollen glands, mucus (alongside exercise and stretching to keep lymph moving)
Mild purifying, cleansing effect on the blood
Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, thread veins, etc.
Inflamed and ulcerated conditions both inside and out of the body
Nervousness, anxiety, depression

Herb Preparations

Tea, drinks
Bath, foot soak, washes, compress, steam
Oil, salve, cream, lotion
Tincture, extract, liniment, culinary vinegar
Syrup, honey
Powder, capsules, sprinkles
Poultice, paste
Gargle, mouthwash
Personal care products, cosmetics
Food: add petals to salads, soups, omelets, butter, ghee, etc.
Dye for food, cloth and hair rinse

Care/Harvesting

Calendula is a self seeding, annual, meaning if seeds are left on the plant they will drop and sprout up the next spring. It grows in clumps rather than spreading by roots and will bloom from early summer until the first or even second frost kills. it.

Sow seeds directly in the ground in the spring about 10" apart or you can find it at the local nursery.
Plant in full sun, light to moderate water
Dead head for non-stop blooming but allow some to go to seed in the fall so it can self seed.
Harvest blossoms when fully open during a dry, sunny day. They will be sticky from the resin.
The roots aid soils, enriching it with lost nutrients. This makes it a wonderful cover crop.
The plant will attract pollinators and friendly bugs while trapping harmful pests which aids and protects plants growing next to it in the garden.

Dosage/Safety

Safe for infants and children (3-4 tsp of weak tea)

Use a consistent application day by day for skin care and wound healing.

Supports the medicinal action of other herbs making it a good formula herb.

Safe for pets (apply salve to cuts and wounds)

Not for internal use during pregnancy.

Part of ragweed family so check for allergies.

Symbolism

Symbolic of Christ as it is the first to bloom and the last to be taken by frost (The First and the Last). The Virgin Mary was the mother of Christ, the gold, truly it is Mary's Gold. It is a soothing, healing balm and heals most ailments just as Christ is the ultimate healer. It could also represent followers of Christ as it follows the sun (The Son).

Other Symbolism:

Emblem of the sun
Prediction
Health and longevity
Fidelity

Emotional Energy:

Cheerfulness
Uplifts the spirits
Joy
Affection
Grace
Counters grief, despair, mourning
Strengthens and comforts the emotional heart and spirit
Clears the head

Myth/Folklore

Folklore was deeply connected to plants and herbs during the Dark Ages when superstition ruled the heart and mind. Through the myths and legends I like to look for the symbolism in these historic beliefs, all pointing to Christlike attributes of light, protection, healing, and the spirit. Some though are just silly.

Dedicated to and associated with the Virgin Mary in Middle Ages (see the name Marigold)
Used to predict the future, like your lover or the weather, petals under the pillow would show you in dreams your lover.
Many believed it held powerful magic.
Herb of the Sun under Leo (Culpepper, 1653)
The flowers were an emblem of love and a symbol of good luck.
Petals sprinkled under the pillow made dreams come true.
Garland was hung over doorways and throughout villages as protection from evil, witches and darkness, enabled one to see fairies. (Light overpowering darkness)