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plant profile
Calendula
LATIN NAME
Calendula officinalis
MEANING
Affection; Anxiety; Constructive loss; Cruelty; Despair; Fidelity; Grace; Grief; Health; Jealousy; Joy; Longevity; Pain; Sacred affection; Trouble
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Calendula
About
Marigold’s scientific name is Calendula officinalis, and it is a member of the Asteraceae family. The flowers are used, which can be bought either as petals or whole flower heads (and either is fine for use in herbal teas).
Active Constituents
Triterpenes, flavonoids, resins, saponins, volatile oils, bitter principles, and mucilage.
Sowing & Growing
Calendula is super easy to grow from seed! If you're eager to get started, you can sow the seeds indoors in early spring, ideally around six to eight weeks before the last frost. In the UK, that usually means early March. Once the seedlings have a few leaves, you can transplant them, spacing them about 6-10 inches apart.
Alternatively, you can wait until mid-April and sow the seeds directly into their final spot. To extend the flowering season, keep sowing more seeds through early summer. Just be mindful not to wait too long, as the plants tend to get smaller and weaker if sown in hotter weather.
Since calendula is a hardy annual, you can even sow the seeds in late summer to give them a jumpstart for the following spring. No matter how you choose to plant them, make sure to cover the seeds completely with soil, since any exposure to light can hinder germination. Aim for a sowing depth of about 0.5 to 1.5cm, and keep the soil moist until they sprout.
Harvesting & Prep
Make sure to harvest the flowers throughout the Summer as they reach their peak. You can gently peel the flower heads off the stem with your fingers or use scissors to snip them just below the base. Keep an eye on them because they go to seed pretty quickly, so it's best to collect every few days.
Therapeutic Properties
Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, astringent, bitter, cholagogue, depurative, emmenagogue, lymphatic and vulnerary.
Traditional Uses
Marigold has traditionally been used as a healing remedy for the skin, as well as a healer of the gut, especially in cases of inflammation, bleeding, or infection. It improves venous circulation and supports the lymphatic system.
These lymphatic properties make it a useful herb for supporting the immune system during infections, especially tonsillitis and in cases where the lymph nodes are swollen.
Its lymphatic nature also helps to clear tissue stagnation and water retention, for example, during periods. It is a useful supportive herb during menstrual problems and menopause.
