Calendula

Calendula
Calendula officinalis

Calendula is an annual herb with bright orange daisy like flowers. Native to Egypt and the Mediterranean, calendulais cultivated around the world. cultivated in around the world. The orange flowers, reflections of the sun make calendula an attractive and cheerful addition to the garden.

The flower petals can be used to add colour to salads, rice dishes, soups, stir fries, stews, biscuits, and deserts. You can also use fresh leaves in salads.

An infusion or tincture of the petals taken internally will help with inflammatory problems in the digestive system, such as peptic ulcers, colitis and gastritis. Calendula is cleansing for the liver and gall bladder and can be helpful for jaundice, hepatitis and liver congestion.

Use in creams and lotions for sensitive skin, as a hair rinse to bring out gold highlights and as an eyebath for itchy tired eyes.

Growing Conditions

In the sub-tropics plant calendula from autumn through to early spring, in a warm sunny, well drained position. In colder climates plant late winter through to early summer.