Calendula: calendula officinalis
'Touch marigold petals with your bare feet to be able to understand what the birds are saying'
The herb of the sun and of the birth sign Leo, this is one of my favourite plants. I love its bright colours ranging from yellow to dark orangey red and the clean resinous fragrance when you crush its sticky foliage. This is the true pot marigold of Shakespeare, a member of the daisy family, compositae, please don't confuse it with the tagetes tribe also known as marigolds.
Grown from seed, this is a hardy annual that will tolerate frost.
Folklore
Calendula has been attributed to bringing luck, to dream of it meant prosperity, succes or a happy marriage. It was used in love potions and its petals plucked in games of 'he loves me, he loves me not. While it was believed to soothe grief when presented in a posy with poppies, when matched with cypress it was a token of despair.
Magic
Here is a rather sticky charm for those of you awaiting your true love.
St Lukes Love Salve
On October the 18th, St Luke's Day, mix together some marigold, thyme, wormwood, honey and white vinegar,
Us e the salve to anoint the breasts, hips and stomach while lying in bed and repeating the words:
St Luke, St Luke,
be kind to me
In dreams let me
My true love see
Magic
Here is a rather sticky charm for those of you awaiting your true love.
St Lukes Love Salve
On October the 18th, St Luke's Day, mix together some marigold, thyme, wormwood, honey and white vinegar,
Us e the salve to anoint the breasts, hips and stomach while lying in bed and repeating the words:
St Luke, St Luke,
be kind to me
In dreams let me
My true love see
Uses
In the kitchen
The petals can be gently pulled from the heart of the flower and sprinkled over salads, cooked in rice or added as a garnish. They have a pleasant slightly bitter, peppery taste.
In the first aid box
Tincture of calendula is an excellent remedy to disinfect wounds and stop them bleeding.
Calendula ointment made with an oil infusion, will help wounds and grazes to heal and reduce scarring, especially acne.
Useful in the treatment of piles, varicose veins and inflammation in the form of compresses made with fresh or dried flowers.
The petals can be gently pulled from the heart of the flower and sprinkled over salads, cooked in rice or added as a garnish. They have a pleasant slightly bitter, peppery taste.
In the first aid box
Tincture of calendula is an excellent remedy to disinfect wounds and stop them bleeding.
Calendula ointment made with an oil infusion, will help wounds and grazes to heal and reduce scarring, especially acne.
Useful in the treatment of piles, varicose veins and inflammation in the form of compresses made with fresh or dried flowers.
