Marigolds (Calendula officinalis, also known as Calendula, Marsh Marigold, and Pot Marigold) are a common plant in many casual gardens. These joyful yellow-orange flowers open at the first peek of sunshine in the morning and close up tight when the sun sets.

A Bite of History

The marigold has fascinated poets and philosophers for centuries. The Romans admired the gentle marigold about 2,300 years ago, and medieval Christian writers described the Virgin Mary wearing these golden blossoms, leading to the name "Mary Golde."

Keats and Shakespeare sang the praises of these happy flowers. The ancient Egyptians, Hindus, Persians and Greeks decorated their temples, and their plates, with marigold petals.

Medicinal Uses for Marigold

Few plants have escaped the experimentation of traditional herbalists, and the marigold is no exception. Headaches, jaundice, red eyes, toothache, and ague (fever resulting in severe shivering) are all said to be helped by using marigold leaves or flowers.

Marigold leaf juice mixed with vinegar made a good poultice for swollen joints. A few marigold blossoms (dried or fresh) added to a broth are said to make it especially digestible.

Even better, calendula jam (simply marigold flowers, sugar, water, and pectin) was recommended for heart palpitations. Fancy a doctor today recommending jam for heart patients!

Calendula flower tea was considered to comfort the heart and spirit and expel physical annoyances from anyone who drank it. Eastern herbalists list marigold among tea herbs for the treatment of chronic ulcer.

Combined with Catnip, Spearmint, Lemongrass, Skullcap, Rosemary, Sage, and Fennel, Calendula makes a lovely and refreshing digestive tea. It lends an unusual orange tint to the tea.

Please don't consume any plant without knowing if it's been sprayed with pesticides. Look for organic herbs, spices, and teas from a trusted source.

If you're using your own marigold flowers for herbal applications, make sure they are Calendula officinalis, the common marigold, because African, Mexican, Aztec, and French marigolds aren't the same thing and should not be used internally.

Interesting Facts

Plant marigolds among your tomatoes to control pests.

It's said that after you wear a marigold flower, you gain the power to recognize anyone who has robbed you.

Calendula petals have been used to color butter.