Marigold
Calendula officinallis (L)

Family Asteraceae or daisy
Genus Calendula
Species officinalis

Synonyms and Common names: Caltha officinalis. Golds. Ruddes. Mary Gowles. Oculus Christi. Pot Marigold. Marygold. Fiore d’ogni mese. Solis Sponsa. Summer pride. 

Description and Habitat:  A native of South Europe, hardy in the whole of Britain. A herb of pale green leaves with bright orange flowers, with a long growing season from late spring right through until the first frosts. The flowers close at night and open in the morning when the sun comes up, and are open until the sun goes down at night. The leaves are downy to the touch, and elongated and finely ribbed, flowers have many petals with a pollen laden centre. When the herb seeds, its seeds are in the shape of a letter C, which, when left will readily grow wherever they fall. Easy to cultivate, and will grow anywhere where the sun shines, or in partial shade. The whole plant has a particular smell, which once recognised wont be forgotten. 

Parts used: Flowers and leaves are of use

Collection and preparation: gather leaves in fine weather in the morning after the dew has gone and they are dry, gather flowers on a sunny day when the sweetness is at its highest, they too must be gathered dry. Both leaves and flowers must be dried in a dry dark place, either not touching its neighbouring leaf or flower and turned regularly to avoid mustiness.

Constituents: Saponins, carotenoids, bitter principle, essential oil, sterols, flavonoids, mucilage. 

Actions: Anti inflammatory, astringent, vulnerary, anti microbial, cholagogue, emmenagogue, tonic

Indications: Inflamation, infection, bleeding, sounds, bruising, strains, burns, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gall bladder problems, indigestion, irritated eyes, conjunctivitis, fevers.

Therapeutics and Pharmacology: Calendula officinalis is a useful herb for skin problems, be it to rub on an insect bite or nettle sting, or to make into creams or lotions to combat skin irritations, cuts or wounds. Also useful to take internally for digestive problems. Sore throats can be eased by a mouthwash or gargle, as can sore gums. Both leaves and flowers are used in the same way, easy access to the oils by infusion into oil, boiling water or just by rubbing on the affected area. A useful herb for childrens illness, as a decoction into water, brings down fever and brings out any underlying infection such as measles, chicken pox etc.

marigold cream for eczema 
essential oil for use on insect bites and nettle stings,
marigold compress for inflammation, boils, sore nipples, sore eyes
gargle or mouth wash for sore throat or gums
tea for fevers, tonsillitis, gastritis,
use with comfrey for adhesions and stomach ulcers
use with sage to prevent colds and flu.

Contraindications: Calendula officinalis is safe to use, and can be freely given to all ages, the leaves and flowers can be included in salad, and eaten freely.

Preparation and dosage: Preparation for ingestion can be by infusion in water (like making tea), compresses, mouthwash, gargle, tincture. If the herb is to be used for external use, then a cream, ointment or lotion can be made, the flower petals are best for this. 

Additional comments and Folklore: Folklore tells us that the marigold is a herb with an ancient history, known to Romans, Greeks and Egyptians as a remedy for skin complaints and stomach problems. Its Latin name of Calendula refers to its habit of flowering through the months, or flowering all through the seasons of spring to autumn. It’s a symbol of love, heat and sexuality, aligned to the sun. In folklore it was aligned to the sparks given off from lightening in a thunderstorm. The marigold has been used to make cheese yellow, and to turn hair a golden colour, it is said that if flowers are not open before nine in the morning, then there will be a thunderstorm by the end of the day. It is also said that if you pick a bunch of marigolds at dawn you risk turning into an alcoholic. The marigold is a herbal all of its own on a stem, an easy herb to use and its availability makes it not only a useful flower to have in the garden, but according to Aemilius Macer (13^th century) “simply gazing on the flowers draws wicked humors out of the head and makes the sight bright and clean”

The common name marigold probably refers to the Virgin Mary, or its old Saxon name 'ymbglidegold', which means 'it turns with the sun'