Pot Marigold - Calendula

The bright orange heads of marigolds are a cheering site in any herb garden. It is an attractive herb with bright orange or yellow daisy-like flowers. Their habit of opening only to the sun and dutifully closing as shadows lenghten was noted by the early herbalists.
This plant, - that is native to mediterranean countries, but cultivated worldwide today - produces too little essential oil to make distillation commercially available. Usually the petals are macerated in sunflower or olive oil base and used for a variety of purposes such as:

• minor burns and bruises,
• sore, inflamed and itchy skin,
• eczema,
• nappy rash,
• athlete's foot,
• sore and cracked nipples in nursing mothers,
• skin prone to thread veins,
• to reduce inflammation in varicose veins. 

The anti-inflammatory properties and the aroma can be further enhanced by blending with any of the following oils in a 20 ml calendula infusion/3-5 drops of essential oil ratio:

• roman chamomile
• german chamomile
• lavender
• rose otto
• helichrysum