Calendula (Marigold Flower)
Calendula officinalis
Marigolds are the orange and yellow flowers decorating many landscapes in the fall season in the USA. Also known as Calendula, Marigolds are annuals and members of the daisy family.
Marigolds have been traditionally used in food, as skin wash and for yellow dye, by many cultures, including the Aztecs. Calendula has been used for supporting healthy digestion and immunity as well as vision health and for promoting healthy foot tissue.
Common Uses:
Culinary: The whole flower heads of the Calendula plant are added to soups and broths as well as salads. Marigold flowers make an excellent tea and are often added to herbal tea blends because they add a mildly sweet and citrusy flavor enjoyed by many. Calendula flowers go especially well with other floral herbs, green teas, and citrus peel. (One pound of marigold flowers yields approximately 20 cups of tea.) Some adventuresome bakers even incorporate marigold flowers into cookies, cakes, breads and pastries.
Agricultural: Dried, ground marigold flowers are used in chicken feed to provide a source of carotenoids, which are considered to enhance the color and nutritional value of egg yolks. Marigolds are also strategically planted in fields by gardeners to protect plants against nematodes.
Cosmetic: Calendula flowers can be infused in oil for use in soaps, lotion or balms, or extracted in alcohol for topical application.
Decorative: Marigold flowers add color and scent to potpourri mixes and floral arrangements.
Household: Calendula can be used to make a natural yellow dye for coloring cloth, wool, easter eggs, even hair! (Calendula flowers have been used for centuries to add chemical-free golden color to hair.)
Medicinal: Marigold is a fantastic source of carotenoids like lutien and zeaxanthin, which are known for supporting healthy vision. The Calendula flower petals also contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that support healthy digestion and immunity.
Active Constituents:
Carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin; essential oil: beta-caryophyllene, terpinolene, limonene
Important Precautions:
Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. If you have a medical condition or take pharmaceutical drugs please consult your doctor prior to use. Use with caution in those with an allergy or sensitivity to the Asteraceae plant family.
Disclaimer:
This information is intended only as a general reference for further exploration, and is not a replacement for professional health advice. This content does not provide dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner such as a naturopathic physician.
