Blue Heron  Herbary

 Brighten your life

with Calendula!

Calendula (Pot Marigold)
2008 Herb of the Year

Sunny Calendula is one of the most colorful herbs for the garden and kitchen.  The flowers smell like honey and their flavor is mild and sweet.  For best flavor, fresh or dried, discard the bitter center and use just the golden petals.
Calendula petals can be added to vegetables, potatoes, soups, baked goods, eggs, and soups. They are an excellent addition to tea, and the fresh petals also make a great edible flower.
Calendula is aslo known for it's healing properties on skin problems. Historically it was used in oil and applied directly on the skin. It's now available in pharmacies and health food stores in salve form.
Flowers can be picked when just beginning to open to fully open and air dried out of direct sunlight for later use as infused oil, tincture, or liniment.