Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

The common marigold, or calendula as it is often called, is a flowering plant with pale green leaves and golden orange petals.

HEALING

Skin: An ointment made of marigold petals may be used to soothe and moisturise chapped hands. An infusion of the flowers may also be used in a bath to reduce scars and varicose veins. Calendula (marigold) lotion is also useful to heal painful lesions caused by eczema.

Inflammation: Dip a hand towel in a strong marigold tisane combined with apple cider vinegar. Apply this to the inflammation.

Wounds: Marigold is an excellent healing agent. When placed on an open wound, it speeds healing. It has amazing abilities to cause broken skin to heal very quickly. It can also be used after you've had a tooth pulled. Or, taken internally, it can help heal and reduce ulcers.

Insect Stings: Wasp or bee stings can be healed and soothed by rubbing a marigold flower on the affected area. It will relief the pain and irritation and bring any inflammation down.

Fever: An marigold petal infusion or tea can be used to bring down a fever. This will promote perspiration to stop the fever.

CULINARY USES

Marigolds are indeed an edible flower. They can be used as a garnish or as a primary ingredient in a dessert. Whether candied or decorating main dishes, marigolds have a unique, syrupy-sweet flavor. Why not give this recipe for marigold custard a shot?

Marigold Custard

• 2 cups milk

• 1/3 cup unsprayed marigold petals

• 1/4 tsp. salt

• 3 tbsp. sugar

• 1 to 2-inch piece vanilla bean

• 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten

• 1/8 tsp. allspice

• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

• 1/2 tsp. rose water

• Heavy whipped cream

Using a clean mortar and pestle, pound marigold petals or crush them with a fork. Mix the salt, sugar and spices together. Scald milk with the marigolds and the vanilla bean. Remove the vanilla bean and add the slightly beaten yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool.

Top with whipped cream, garnish with fresh marigold petals (optional).

FOLKLORE and HISTORY

The Romans named the flower Calendula after the calendar after realising that the flower bloomed on the first day of each month.

Linnaeus was among the first to recognise that the marigold flower seemed to be open only during a short period of the day, observing that they opened at nine in the morning and closed around three in the afternoon. This same observation is mentioned in Winter's Tale:

The Marigold that goes to bed wi' th' sun, 

And with him rises weeping.

According to Buchman (Herbal Medicine), Henry the VIII used marigolds in his "Medycyne for The Pestilence." This included also sorrel, burnet, feverfew, a bit of rude, and a few snapdragons. He believed that the tea could be taken when symptoms appeared and the person would be healed with "God's Grace."

The flower was also used to color hair yellow in the old times, according to Eleanour Sinclair Rohde's Old English Herbals:

"Of marygold we learn that Summe use to make theyr here yelow with the floure of this herbe, not beyng contet with the naturall colour which God hath geven the."

This yellow dye is extracted from the flowers by boiling. Being an edible flower, the marigold was also used to give cheese a yellow color, and milkmaids churned marigold petals with butter to give it a golden hue.

Magical lore tells that putting marigolds under the matress will induce prophetic dreams. The herb is also said to have the power to make dreams come true. The marigold was also believed to be protective and was used in wreathes to keep a home safe.

Similar to St. John's Wort, it was thought that marigold could strip a witch of her will.