Calendula a.k.a. pot marigold
Internal Uses: Petals & leaves can be used in a tea to induce sweating, promote menstruation, increase urination, relieve stomach cramps, indigestion and stomachaches, and for relief from flu and fevers.
External Uses: Flowers & leaves can be made into a salve or ground into a powder to be used for various common skin ailments: cuts, scrapes, abrasions, scald burns, blisters,acne, rashes (including diaper rash), chicken pox, and athlete's foot. The fresh calendula flowers can be rubbed directly on a bee sting to relieve the pain. Calendula has also been used to lighten hair.
The Making of an infusion which will become a salve
For years I've wanted to make my own herbal infusions but lack of space and time have kept me from doing it until now. I finally have plenty of room for my herbs and flowers and I'm finally making the time.
This is my first batch of calendula infused olive oil. The process is easy. Take a mason jar and add calendula flowers, cover the flowers with olive oil, put cheesecloth and a rubber band on the top of the jar. Sit it in a sunny window and rotate daily. Let this steep for about a month. Once it's done I will be making my own vegan calendula salve. Can't wait!
As you can see I don't have a lot of flowers in there, because I don't have a bunch of flowers to pick but as I get more I will add them in along with more olive oil. Only one calendula plant came up from the seeds I planted but it's producing a decent numbers of flowers. I may try planting some more seeds this weekend and hope for better germination.
I encourage anyone who can to experiment with herbs and edible plants. It makes me feel good to know I can make some of my own medicines and grow my own food. I feel less dependent on this busy, chaotic world we live in.
