Calendula

[Guest guest]

Herb & Infused Oil of the Month- Calendula

Latin name Calendula officinalis

 

Calendula is often confused with its counterpart, the Tagetes.

Calendula has a nickname of the " pot marigold " , and this helps to

determine the difference between the two. In Latin, the word Calendula

means, " First day of the month " , it was given this name because it

has an extremely long flowering season.

 

Calendula can grow up to 28 inches tall. It has paddle shaped leaves

with golden orange flowers. The leaves are added to salads and the

flowers are used as a garnish for many dishes.

 

Originally, Calendula grew in the Mediterranean, but now is available

throughout the world. It can be found along roadsides, in open fields,

and in many of the most beautiful flower gardens around the world.

 

Calendula contains an essential oil in the flower heads and leaves

that have an antibiotic effect. The oil an be used internally and

externally. There are many methods of administration. It can be made

into tea, which can be used for wound dressings and as a gargle

antiseptic. Calendula's oil are used in ointments, as well.

 

To use Calendula as a tea: Pour one cup of boiling water over one to

two teaspoons of dried calendula petals. Steep for ten minutes, then

strain. By drinking two to three cups daily there will be a great

improvement in blood circulation.

 

To help in the healing of skin wounds: Soak a compress in Calendula

Tea, and apply to the wound for 30 minutes twice daily. Calendula can

also be used to treat sore throats. Gargle with warm tea several times

a day. This will help relieve the inflammation caused from the common

cold.

 

The culinary use of Calendula dates back to ancient Rome. The use of

saffron (the powdered stigmas of the exotic saffron flower) was a sign

of wealth and power. The common people couldn't afford to buy saffron,

and they discovered that powdered calendula petals were an excellent

substitute.

 

The petals can be dried and kept in a tightly sealed container in a

cool, dry place for use out of season. To dry flowers, place them on a

piece of canvas or cheesecloth stretched over a screen in a warm, dry,

shady place. Do not let the flowers touch one another. Once the

flowers are completely dried, pick the petals off by hand and put them

in a container and seal it tightly. Before adding dried petals to a

recipe, pulverize them.

 

 

--

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

 

 

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is

carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a

life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown

[Guest guest]

This is actually from GreenValley Aromatherapy - 57aromas.comJose and Diana Gonzalez <joseanddiana wrote:

Herb & Infused Oil of the Month- Calendula Latin name Calendula officinalisCalendula is often confused with its counterpart, the Tagetes.Calendula has a nickname of the "pot marigold", and this helps todetermine the difference between the two. In Latin, the word Calendulameans, " First day of the month", it was given this name because ithas an extremely long flowering season.Calendula can grow up to 28 inches tall. It has paddle shaped leaveswith golden orange flowers. The leaves are added to salads and theflowers are used as a garnish for many dishes.Originally, Calendula grew in the Mediterranean, but now is availablethroughout the world. It can be found along roadsides, in open fields,and in many of the most beautiful flower gardens around the world.Calendula contains an essential oil in the flower

heads and leavesthat have an antibiotic effect. The oil an be used internally andexternally. There are many methods of administration. It can be madeinto tea, which can be used for wound dressings and as a gargleantiseptic. Calendula's oil are used in ointments, as well.To use Calendula as a tea: Pour one cup of boiling water over one totwo teaspoons of dried calendula petals. Steep for ten minutes, thenstrain. By drinking two to three cups daily there will be a greatimprovement in blood circulation.To help in the healing of skin wounds: Soak a compress in CalendulaTea, and apply to the wound for 30 minutes twice daily. Calendula canalso be used to treat sore throats. Gargle with warm tea several timesa day. This will help relieve the inflammation caused from the commoncold.The culinary use of Calendula dates back to ancient Rome. The use ofsaffron (the powdered stigmas of the exotic saffron flower) was a

signof wealth and power. The common people couldn't afford to buy saffron,and they discovered that powdered calendula petals were an excellentsubstitute.The petals can be dried and kept in a tightly sealed container in acool, dry place for use out of season. To dry flowers, place them on apiece of canvas or cheesecloth stretched over a screen in a warm, dry,shady place. Do not let the flowers touch one another. Once theflowers are completely dried, pick the petals off by hand and put themin a container and seal it tightly. Before adding dried petals to arecipe, pulverize them.-- Diana Gonzalez Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem iscarried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live alife of serenity, not a life of

regrets.-Unknown

 

Airmeith Sidhe