Plant Profiles
Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a gorgeous addition to a garden, boasting flowers that look like miniature suns. For all their cheerfulness, however, these little flowers aren't just decorative. They also have a lot of great health benefits.
Physical Description
Calendula has bright yellow flowers that bloom year-round in mild climates. The plant's leaves are green and the stem can range from 4 to 10 inches tall and grows from a basal rosette of leaves. Calendulas originated in Eurasia and North Africa but can now be found worldwide in temperate climates.
Which Parts to Use
The petals of the calendula flower are often dried and used in teas and tinctures. If you're drying your own flowers, be sure to do so when they are fully open and facing upward, as the petals close a bit after the flower wilts. The dried petals can then be kept at room temperature for up to a year; be sure to store them in an airtight container.
Uses of Calendula
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is a common garden flower with many culinary and medicinal uses. Its bright yellow petals are edible and spicy, similar to saffron with hints of pepper. They can be used in soups and teas or chopped finely and sprinkled on salads for color and flavor—some people like it in its own tea for an afternoon pick-me-up or to soothe digestive issues. You can use it as a dye, too—the flowers produce a yellow dye that's often used as a food coloring in products such as butter, cheese, candy, and bread.
It also has many medicinal uses: it may help relieve symptoms of spider bites, bee stings, earaches, wounds, ulcers, indigestion, insomnia, muscle aches, and pains due to colds or flu. The leaves can be made into poultices to place on the skin to relieve inflammation. The plant extract is also commonly used in ointments and creams for dry skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Calendula also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies too! So plant some in your herb and vegetable gardens—they provide nectar for pollinators while keeping pests at bay with their sticky leaves.
Growing and Harvesting Tips
Calendula prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Plant in spring once the last frost has passed. Space plants about six inches apart to avoid overcrowding.
You can also grow them in large containers by themselves if you'd like to move them indoors during the winter.
Calendula prefers well-drained soil and regular watering, although it has low-water needs once established. If you're growing it in a container, use a peat moss-based potting mix with some compost mixed in with nutrient-rich organic fertilizers.
If you're transplanting seedlings, use a potting mix that drains well and is kept lightly moist until they have established themselves.
Calendula seeds germinate quickly and are easy to grow from seed. The flowers are edible, so either give your plants a quick snip or pick them at their peak when they're full of bright yellow blossoms.
Precautions and Possible Interactions
Always consult your physician before using any plants for culinary or medicinal purposes.
If you have a history of allergy to marigolds, avoid calendula.
Avoid using calendula if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Calendula may have a diuretic effect, so it should not be used in conjunction with other diuretic herbs or medicines.
It also has anti-coagulant properties and may increase bleeding in people taking blood thinners.
Some people are sensitive to Calendula and may experience skin irritation when coming into contact with the plant
Take caution when using Calendula in conjunction with any medications that are broken down by the liver and certain antidepressants.
History and Folklore
Calendula is a perennial herb that has been in cultivation since ancient times. The name "calendula" comes from the Latin word calendae and people would traditionally make offerings at temples. In Roman mythology, Jupiter's wife Juno had an altar on which she kept her personal calendar; known as a "calendarium." The Romans used the flowers in festivals as symbols of purity and rebirth.
Calendula is a flower of the sun. It was often used to decorate altars, and was thought to bring blessings upon those who wore or carried them. Calendula has been associated with many deities in different cultures throughout history. The Romans sent them as offerings to Venus, while the Germans dedicated them to Freya, a fertility goddess and goddess of love. In Greece, it symbolizes youthfulness and purity; there are even legends that say Aphrodite herself created calendula flowers from her own blood!
In medieval times, people believed that this plant could drive away evil spirits—if you were feeling sad or depressed, these flowers were considered good luck charms.
Given its many uses, calendula is an ideal herb for any garden. It can be used to treat both internal and external ailments and is particularly well-suited for people with sensitive skin. Calendula also boasts antioxidant properties that help combat free radicals, making it useful in preventing aging or signs of aging like wrinkles.
Additional Resources
If you're interested in learning more about calendula, here are a few resources to get you started: