Saturday 4 February 2012

Calendula

Calendula officinalis or pot marigold is a favourite herb for many reasons. It is a hardy spring annual and flowers constantly and profusely, It has daisy like flower that range in colour from soft yellow to deep dark orange. It is related to the element of fire.
Calendula originated in southern Europe and now grows world wide. Easy to grow from seed, it's quick growth and sunny blooms bring joy to the gardener.
The other bonus is if you want to share seeds, let the blooms go to seed on the plant and harvest once they are ready. A lovely gift.
Greeks and Romans used circles of "golds" in ceremonies and it is used in India to decorate Hindu deities for decades.
The name Pot Marigold comes from it's culinary uses in soup pot and beyond. It was used in German, Mediterranean and middle Eastern countries to impart flavour and colour in food. I use it in rice for colour in place of expensive saffron, and when I'm energetic and shake cream into butter, a few petals add colour like they did back in ancient times for their cheese and butter products.


Calendula is used in the craft for charms that help in legal matters, for use with other herbs to produce dream that are prophetic and is one of the Beltane herbs.


You can decorate or colour a cake or cookies with un-sprayed Calendula petals and use it in your celebration.





 I infuse oils with fresh Calendula to add to my soap bars and I grind it up to impart colour in the same soap bars. I use this wonderful herbal oil for it's healing properties in salves and oils. My dream pillows for prophetic dreams have Calendula in them and it is in many of my Tubs Tea's.


You can also use it as an additive to a pretty sun tea to enjoy after your day in the garden is done or you can try this hot tea for a pick me up:  
                                                             Your choice of green or white or rooibos tea  2 1/4 Tbsp
                                                             a slice of peach dried /dehydrated until hard
                                                             a slice 1/8" ginger root dried and 1 Tsp of dried Calendula
mix together and place in ball or pot and add hot water for 4 servings


Hope you enjoy it.






4 comments:

  1. You certainly seem to have an attunement with natures beauty. Something that others can take a leaf from - and prosper from it :)

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  2. Calendula has an incredible amount of healing powers, yo can make a cream and it is excelent to regenerate the skin (bye bye wrinkles!!!) and for muscle pain you can mix this with aloe and it is excelent!!

    I will try the tea, sounds delicious!!!!

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    Replies
    1. All that and It looks pretty on the dinner table too!

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