The ‘Gold’ in Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
The ‘Gold’ in Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
These cheery, happy go-lucky buckets of orange and gold are not just a joy to look at but their petals have potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial biochemistry. In fact one of its traditional names ‘Mary’s Gold’ indicates how precious their uses always were. They still are especially being antiviral.
If you’re lucky enough to have any and wish to pick? Then use 1 tablespoon of fresh petals to one mug of boiling water. Leave for 10 minutes and drink. You can also buy and use dried petals of course. These petals are also anti-inflammatory, extremely anti-fungal, and a well known skin remedy for literally anything from cuts to eczema. In the pre-antibiotic era, they were notorious for helping wounds heal faster, eg World War 1 and U.S. Civil War. Last but not least, Marigold petals are hugely detoxifying, partly because they assist the work of the liver and gallbladder.
The wonderful petals are in our blend tea called ‘ImmuGold Loose Herbal Tea’, we used a lot this year one way and another.
ENSURE you do NOT pick French marigold (Tagetes), which looks a little similar but smells very different. Tagetes species are NOT edible, the roots (and leaves/flowers) release toxic substances often planted as a useful insect and nematode repellent.
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