What Is Calendula?

Appearance

• Marigolds attain heights of 12 to 24 inches. Their shiny green foliage boasts small leaves and domed, ruffled blossoms in distinctive shades of yellow and orange. The vibrant blossoms of this flowering annual are present throughout summer and fall, making it a showy bedding or potted plant in the flower garden that thrives in partial sun.

Flavor

• Calendula or marigold flowers are edible and have been called the poor man's saffron. With flavors ranging from peppery to bitter, calendula blooms are used for colorful garnishes and salads as well as in recipes, though it is best to use the petals exclusively to avoid the bitter greens. Suitable for sauces, soups, and to add its vibrant color to cheeses and scrambled eggs, organic calendula make a tangy addition to savory recipes.

Decorative Uses

• Marigold blossoms are easily dried and hold up well in preserved floral arrangements. The small bright blooms make an attractive bunch on their own or add color to a mixed bouquet from your garden. In India, marigolds are used to make thick golden garlands and to adorn archways for celebrations such as weddings.

Medicinal Uses

• Calendula has long been valued for its healing properties. A popular ingredient in salves to treat eczema, calendula can be used as a topical cream to treat stings and abrasions. Brewed as a tea, marigold has been used to treat gastritis, stomach ulcers and inflammation. Steep 2 tablespoons of dried petals in 200 mL of water for 10 minutes to brew a healing calendula tea that may be taken up to three times daily. Calendula should not be ingested by pregnant women.