Podcast Episode Details
Back to Podcast EpisodesGet To Know: Calendula
Season 1 Episode 14
How to Identify Calendula
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Annual herb |
| Height | 12–24 inches (30–60 cm) tall |
| Leaves | Lance-shaped, slightly sticky, pale green, alternately arranged |
| Flowers | Bright yellow to orange, daisy-like with multiple petals (ray florets), bloom spring to fall |
| Scent | Mild, resinous, herbal |
| Stem | Soft and slightly hairy |
| Seeds | Curved, crescent moon-shaped, spiny |
Habitat:
- Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean; cultivated globally.
- Grows easily in gardens, pots, or wildflower patches.
Historical Uses of Calendula
Ancient and Medieval Medicine
- Used by Romans and Greeks for treating wounds, bruises, and digestive issues.
- The Doctrine of Signatures associated its golden color with the sun and healing power.
Christian Symbolism & Folk Lore
- Known as “Mary’s Gold” in reference to the Virgin Mary.
- Used in Catholic and pagan rituals, especially during feasts and festivals.
- Calendula flowers were scattered on doorsteps or added to soups to ward off evil and bring cheer.
Apothecaries & Herbalists
- By the Middle Ages, it became a go-to remedy for inflammatory conditions, ulcers, and skin infections.
- Calendula petals were used to color cheese and butter, and were sometimes called “poor man’s saffron.”
You can get a one pound bag of Calendula from Starwest Botanicals through our Amazon Affiliate here.
Medicinal Benefits (Modern Herbal Uses)
Calendula is widely used today for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and vulnerary (wound-healing) actions.