Herb Spotlight: Calendula Officinalis (Pot Marigold)
by Kristie Nackord (Spirit Horse Herbals)
OUCH! Do you have a cut, burn, scrape or any other weird unidentifiable skin ailment? Or, are you seeking a burst of red, orange, or yellow color in your garden this season? Perhaps Calendula is for you then!
Herb Spotlight: Calendula Officinalis
Calendula Officinalis, also known as Pot Marigold, is the medicinal variety of marigolds. (Side note: when you see the word officinalis, it generally means that the plant is ‘used in the practice of medicine”.) Calendula is one of the best allies for our skin. Topically it has many healing applications and helps soften, soothe, and rejuvenate the skin. It is often brewed into wound salves, balms, and body and facial oils. Calendula is exceptional for those with sensitive, traumatized, or over-worked skin. Calendula is supportive for eczema, cuts, burns, chapped or chaffed skin, has incredible anti-bacterial and wound healing capabilities and is safe for animals and children! Internally calendula may be used as a tincture, steeped into tea or even sprinkled atop your wild salad. The petals are vibrant and beautiful! Additionally, calendula is a wonderful ally to women and supports amenorrhea (delayed menstruation) and painful menstruation and helps relieve any congestion in the digestive tract.
Growing Calendula:
As an annual, calendula is a hardy and vigorous plant offering many blooms throughout the spring and summer. Germination is spotty, so if starting from seed, sow heavily…REAL heavy! Seed packets indicate a 40% germination rate.
Calendula is also a wonderful companion plant in the garden. Plant calendula near tomatoes and roses to detour the aphids. The aphids will go to the calendula so if you want to grow calendula medicinally, you may want to plant it AWAY from those particular plants. You don’t want disease infested herbs!
Calendula is attractive in borders or planted in the odd corner of a bed or pot. Or, do as I do and plant a whole bed of calendula for an abundant harvest! Okay, I grow a lot more than just a bed, but you get the idea~!
Harvesting Calendula:
Parts used: flower.
Pick the whole flower tops or just the petals before the flowers open fully throughout the summer and fall. Lay flat on a screen or on a paper bag in a low-humidity room out of direct sunlight. Treat calendula like wine, once harvested keep her in a cool, dry, location!
~Good growing to you!
If you have any questions regarding calendula or would like to offer your own contribution on how you use calendula, please feel free to post a comment or send me an email! I truly enjoy "plant talk".
Tags
calendula, pot marigold, companion plant, aphids, wound salve, healing herb
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