Leisha My journey with calendula and marigold started as a practical endeavour, initially driven by their renowned pest-repelling abilities, which complemented my vegetable garden’s needs. As I planted them among my vegetables, these vibrant blooms not only deterred pests but also turned my garden into a lively tapestry. The constant hum of bees and the flutter of butterflies painted a picture with motion and color that never faded, offering a daily celebration of life’s vibrancy.
Marigolds, members of the Asteraceae family, form a partnership in kinship with calendulas. This family boasts a breathtakingly diverse array of flowers, including daisies, sunflowers, and chrysanthemums. Although marigolds and calendulas are botanically related, each has carved a niche in the garden—and in medicine—highlighting both similarities and individual distinctions.
Marigolds, with their vivacious shades of yellow, orange, and red, are a sight to behold, often stealing the spotlight in ornamental gardens with their flamboyant display. Their petals, ruffled and radiant, are a touch more theatrical compared to their calendula counterparts. Calendula, by contrast, offers a softer, more understated bouquet comprised of smooth petals in hues of soft yellow or orange. The gentleness of calendula transcends its appearance, extending into its widely celebrated medicinal uses known especially for soothing skin ailments, promoting wound healing, and even easing joint pain.
In my continued exploration of these floral treasures, I began to appreciate their olfactory signatures. While calendula offers a calming blend of sweetness and earthiness with undertones of citrus, marigold surprises with its bold, earthy scent that mirrors its fiery spirit. Whether one favors the tranquil or the audacious, both fragrances captivate, marking their territories in the senses much like their colors dominate the landscape.
The healing properties of these flowers are nothing short of miraculous. Both marigolds and calendulas boast powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory capabilities, making them indispensable in natural remedies. Marigolds, rich in carotenoids, support immune health and protect against cell damage, while calendulas, laden with flavonoids, offer anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.
Marigolds are celebrated not only for their visual spectacle but also for their formidable scent. The French marigold is famous for its pungency, with comparisons to the smell of tomatoes or even a hint of skunkiness, while the scent of African marigolds is described as more mild but still earthy. The scent layers not only repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and beetles but also attract pollinators—bees, butterflies, and others that enrich the garden fabric. In some cultural traditions, marigolds symbolize protection, love, and prosperity, blending their visual allure with deeper historical significance.
On the surface, my relationship with calendula started with a childhood game of plucking petals to divine the mysteries of the heart. But beneath the whimsy lay an enduring fascination with calendula’s versatile potential. My exploration soon extended to the dyeing properties of calendula. This endeavor transformed plain fabrics into vibrant canvases, infusing them with hues of yellow and orange. Each petal in the dye bath held the magic of nature, coloring the fabric with the radiant warmth unique to calendula.
Exploring calendula’s medicinal properties, I discovered its famed anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. The plant proved its efficacy when I used a simple calendula flower concoction to regain my lost voice, a testament to its restorative power. This experience deepened my respect for calendula’s gentle spirit and potent chemistry, qualities that earned its well-deserved reputation in herbal medicine.
Rounding the corner in the garden, I always find space for marigold. This flower, often dubbed the “poor man’s saffron” for its radiant coloring, hosts a wealth of healing properties. In traditional medicine, marigold petals and leaves are celebrated for their soothing nature on skin irritations, wounds, and burns. Their astringent properties tighten pores and work wonders in skincare routines.
Beyond the epidermis, the wisdom of marigold extends into the digestive realm, credited with encouraging healthy digestion by stimulating bile production—aids that help break down fats, ease discomfort, and regulate the menstrual cycle. Marigold’s ability to soothe menstrual cramps stands out, thanks to its blend of carotenoids, flavonoids, and sesquiterpene lactones, compounds known for easing inflammation and relaxing stubborn uterine muscles.
The tradition of using marigold extends further, encompassing respiratory relief with its antimicrobial properties, lending support to calming coughs and clearing congestion. The wealth of saponins and thiophenes within its vivid petals support its status as a historically trusted ally in health and healing.
Calendula and marigold each have unique tastes that echo their attributes. Marigold presents earthy and spicy notes, often with a hint of bitterness and citrus. Comparatively, calendula offers a sweet and slightly citrusy note with a hint of honey-like flavor, suggesting different culinary and medicinal characters.
Where to plant these botanical wonders? They’ll settle well into any home garden, especially thriving when seeded directly. Northern gardeners do best to plant these seeds in spring after that lingering frost has departed, selecting sunny garden corners that bask in light. These blooms delight in fertile soil and, with minimal care, thrive while sowing endless seeds for future blooms.
Let the gardens grow—calendula and marigold will reseed, painting the ground with a lifetime of color and benefit. Each bloom, a testimony to the resilient spirit, weathers seasons and cultivates a microcosm of beauty and utility. Once they grace the garden, they reduce watering needs, catching and storing rain for drought seasons, and enrich any environment they inhabit.
To harvest calendula and marigold, morning is best after the dew’s ascent, capturing peak freshness for both medicinal and culinary uses. With blush and bounty, these flowers grant ease in being harvested and preserved, the perfect fit for any recipe or remedy.
Adding calendula to the diet or beauty regime champions health, bridging the gap between visible and molecular rejuvenation. They lend their microbial benefits, aiding the gut and skin microbiome. From teas to patches, they forge a direct path of nutritional escalation, helping grow vibrant life from within.
In dinners and desserts, each petal and spice is mesmerizing, whether pickled or infused. So here are a few ways to introduce these radiant floracrafts into your culinary narrative:
Marigold Jelly:
- Ingredients:
- 3 cups marigold flower petals (use scissors to cut petals from the green base),
- Water to cover,
- 1 box low-sugar pectin,
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice,
- 2 1/2 cups sugar.
- Instructions: Cover marigold petals with boiling water; steep for hours then strain. Add water until 4 cups of liquid remains. Mix pectin with sugar, combine with flower tea and lemon juice, and boil. Stir in sugar. Pour into jars and process.
Calendula-Infused Honey:
- Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dried calendula flowers,
- 1 cup raw honey.
- Instructions: Combine calendula and honey in a jar, ensuring flowers are submerged. Store in a sunny spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain to a clear jar and store for up to six months.
Marigold-Infused Oil:
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried marigold flowers,
- 1 cup carrier oil (olive, almond, or jojoba).
- Instructions: In a jar, cover marigold with oil and seal. Store in a dark, warm spot for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain, then store in a cool place for up to six months.
The radiant calendula and marigold, through storied histories and abundant uses, merge vibrant energy with gentle care. Their harmony echoes the cycles and complexities of nature, inviting us to find strength and serenity in the balance of life. Through gardens or apothecaries, these flowers embody an ancient dance rooted in the earth’s flourishing abundance. Let them enliven your spaces, mend your body, and restore your spirit with every bloom.
COMING SOON, “THE SECRET GARDEN” HERB BOOK, 55 PLANTS THAT GROW ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AND THEIR GIFTS TO HUMANS.
