The Beauty and Benefits of Calendula

Calendula, the Common Marigold, is a lovely and instantly recognisable plant with its pale-green leaves and golden orange flowers. It's called after the ancient Roman calends which were the first days of every month and the start of the new moon cycle. (Presumably they were called this because they are in bloom at the start of most months of the year).

In Italy, the idea of the calends is kept in the name by which calendula is often called, the fiore d'ogni mese, the flower of every month.

In earlier times Persians and Greeks used it as a food garnish, mostly in soups and stews, while in Europe, it was used to colour butter and cheese.

In India calendula is used to decorate Temple Altars wjile we use it as a garnish for food, for medicinal purposes, and blooming in our gardens just for the sheer beauty of it.

Calendula contains high amounts of flavonoids, plant-based antioxidants which protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects

Oral forms of calendula have been used historically to treat stomach irritation and ulcers. Calendula tea for example, or broth, has some antispasmodic properties so it relieves muscle tightness. Folk medicine, or 'grandmothers' medicine' has advised women to use calendula for relief from muscle spasms and cramps.

Knob of butter
1 sweet onion, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup Granny Smith apple, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cumnin
Kilo of carrots, coarsely chopped
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1/2 cup milk
1 cup fresh calendula petals

Method

In a large stockpot, melt butter over a medium low heat. Add onion and garlic, toss till translucent. Add apple and spices, stir through. Add carrots and stir through for roughly 5 minutes over a low heat.

Add stock, cover and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes. Remove from heat, cool, until smooth. Return to pot and stir in milk. Cook over a medium low heat for 5 minutes. (Don't let it come to a boil). Stir in petals just before serving.

Everybody has a favourite subject, everyone is an expert in something, Get your own revenue generating page about your favourite.

All you need is an email address, no complicated forms! Making a Squidoo Lens is a great way to get the word out about any topic, a garden gnome collection, your passion for scuba-diving, that recipe from your grandmother, tips for pruning hibiscus or tuning a truck, how to start a celebrity fan club or how to supplement your home income.

The first step is to think of your topic and make your first lens now. Come and join the Squidoo community!

10% of my income goes to continue the work of Fred Hollows in treating avoidable blindness and improving indigenous health.

Photo : Khim Rath, who can now see after a successful cataract operation, Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia.

Blindness is a significant public health issue in Cambodia. Over 160,000 people are blind and an additional 20,000 become blind each year. The main cause of blindness is cataract, which can be treated by a simple 15 minute operation at an average cost of $25 (AUD$35).