Calendula by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Calendula, Pot Marigold
2. Folk Name(s): Mary’s Gold, Bride of the Sun, Ruddles, Summer’s Bride
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Calendula officinalis
4. Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)
5. Plant Type: Annual (sometimes short-lived perennial in mild climates)
6. Botanical Description: Low-growing bushy plant, 12–24 inches tall. Leaves are lance-shaped, slightly sticky, and aromatic. Produces bright orange to yellow daisy-like flowers that follow the sun’s path.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: Hardy in USDA Zones 2–11 as annual; Zones 9–11 as perennial.
8. Best Zones for Growth: Thrives in temperate climates with cool to warm seasons.
9. Habitat & Range: Native to southern Europe; widely cultivated worldwide as a garden and medicinal herb.

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates partial shade.
2. Propagation: By seed; self-seeds readily.
3. Companion Planting: Repels aphids, nematodes, and other pests. Excellent companion for tomatoes, carrots, and beans. Attracts pollinators.
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Pick blossoms in full sun once fully open. Harvest throughout season to encourage new blooms.
5. Drying/Preservation: Spread flowers on screens in a single layer to air-dry. Store in airtight jars away from sunlight. Retains color and potency well when dried.

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition (“Mary’s Gold”). Used in ancient Rome to color food and clothing. In Hindu traditions, flowers are used in garlands and temple offerings.
2. Traditional Medicine: Used for centuries as a wound healer, skin soother, and digestive remedy. Infusions and salves applied to cuts, rashes, and inflammations.
3. Symbolism: Represents joy, healing, protection, and devotion to the Sun.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Flavonoids, carotenoids, triterpenoids, saponins, resins, volatile oils.
2. Medicinal Uses:
   
3. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing (salves, ointments)
4. Antifungal (athlete’s foot, candida)
5. Digestive support (tea for ulcers, indigestion)
6. Menstrual regulator (emmenagogue in small amounts)
7. Skin soothing (eczema, burns, rashes)
   
8. Preparation Methods: Infusions (tea), tinctures, oils, salves, poultices, compresses, creams.
9. Dosage & Guidelines:
   
10. Tea: 1–2 tsp dried petals per cup, steep 10 minutes
11. Topical: infused oil or salve applied as needed
    
12. Safety/Precautions: Generally safe. Avoid high internal doses in pregnancy (uterine stimulant). Some may experience skin sensitivity.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Fire
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Sun; associated with Ra, Apollo, and the Virgin Mary
3. Magical Correspondences: Protection, love, prophetic dreams, consecration, happiness, solar magic
4. Ritual Use: Petals scattered under the bed for prophetic dreams; carried for court victories; infused in bathwater to attract admiration; placed on the altar during solar rituals.
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: Dreaming of calendula may signify joy, protection, and sunny new beginnings.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
2. Wildlife Uses: Provides pollen and nectar late into the season.
3. Culinary Uses: Edible petals used in salads, soups, and baked goods. Traditionally called “poor man’s saffron” as it adds yellow-orange color to rice and broths.

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses:
   
2. Salves and oils for skin healing
3. Flower petals for teas and culinary decoration
4. Garden companion plant for pest control
   
5. Notable Traits: Vibrant blooms follow the sun (heliotropic).
6. Special Notes: A “go-to” skin herb—so gentle it’s often used for babies and sensitive skin.

Fast Facts

1. Sacred flower of the Sun and healing
2. Both food and medicine, symbolizing warmth and joy
3. Bright petals retain color even when dried

Supporting Notes

1. Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing, 2016.
2. Grieve, Maud. A Modern Herbal. 1931.
3. Duke, James. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press, 2002.
4. Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn, 1985.