Parkwell's
Floral Designs, Inc.
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Calendula
(Calendula officinalis)
—Common Names:—
Pot Marigold
Mary's Gold
Summer's Bride
Husbandman's Dial
Calendula is the flower of October.
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Originating in Egypt, Calendula is a member of the marigold family and is valued for its medicinal and culinary properties.
An ancient beverage made from a mixture of calendula blossoms in wine was said to soothe indigestion.
Calendula has been used to treat ulcers and other illnesses.
It also helps speed the healing of wounds and was used during the Civil War.
The petals were used in ointments that cured skin irritations, jaundice, sore eyes and toothaches.
Eating Calendula was thought to make one see fairies, be easily induced to sleep, or to feel more amorous.
The Romans used it mixed with vinegar to preserve and season meat and salad dishes.
The dried flower heads are used to flavor soups.
The flowers served as the original dye in cheeses and for coloring butter.
Early Christians called the Calendula Mary's Gold and placed them by the statues of the virgin Mary.
In ancient India it was considered to be one of the most sacred herbs and was used in temples and at weddings.
The blossoms were strung into garlands and placed around the necks of holy statues.
For centuries this plant was associated with the sun and believed to open with the sunrise and close with the sunset.
Because the flower heads follow the paths of the sun, the Calendula is sometimes called Summer's Bride or Husbandman's Dial.
The calendula means "winning grace" in the language of flowers.
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